Question about smear testing, any practice nurses on here who could help?

[Irrelevantdata]

If I go for a routine smear and mention to the nurse that I've had some minor bleeding after sex recently will my sample still only be tested for HPV or might/could the nurse request it's properly looked at? Just trying to work out whether to book through normal channels or speak to the GP first, don't want to end up having to repeat the smear because they've only tested for HPV if you see what I mean?

Maybe it depends on drs but at ours I had to do a smear then a check with 2 totally different nurses recently as the smear one said it wasn't up to her to check for abnormalities up there so Dr made a separate same day as smear with a different nurse it was a lil annoying to say the least lol

That's exactly what I need to avoid, find smears difficult due to a really awful past experience so need to get it all out of the way in one visit if at all possible. I'll do an E-consult I think and speak to someone before I book, thanks for replying LadyJ2023.

The smear tests is not for diagnosing people with symptoms. Your GP will probably want to examine you and take some other swabs. They may be able to do your routine smear at the same time if it is due but they may not. I know In our area you need to have a particular digital registration username code to take the smears so not every GP might have this. Starting with the appointment would be sensible, explain your concerns and take it from there. But if you just mention it at the time of routine smear you are likely to need seen again separately.

The smear test is a screening for asymptomatic women.

If you've had bleeding after sex you need to book a GP appointment to discuss it and they will decide what diagnostics you need.

The nurse or Dr will do your smear. If HPV negative but still symptoms then prod them to get you a colposcopy appointment to explore your bleeding x