Suzanne Moore on the shame women are made to feel about their bodies and the effect on smear test attendance.

[HelenaDove]

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/27/shame-women-smear-tests-porn-feminism-bodies?CMP=twt_gu&__twitter_impression=true

Yep, my perception of what's now "normal" has been affected by reading threads on here. I lived in ignorant bliss about twee euphamisms such as "ladygarden" and needing to "groom" and whether it was "cleaner and fresher" until I was well into my 30s. Wish I still was.

Even though I know it's nonsense, it does get into your subconscious and is just one more barrier, one more thing to think about if you're going swimming for example (I remember a comment on here years ago screaming with horror about "spiders legs" that she'd seen poking out of some poor unsuspecting woman's crotch).

Top that off with the rather disapproving comment "you're very hairy" from the midwife before she hacked away with scissors and then stitched me after ds2 was born, and unfortunately I second guess far more about what other people think of my vulva than is necessary.

I don't give a hoot what it looks like. Dh doesn't give a hoot what it looks like. I'm hopping mad that I've let other people's opinions affect me.

Reallyantoehrone, another here who doesn't shave and who has had odd little comments made about my admittedly fairly lavish pubic hair and about my size (I'm a size 18 at the moment) during smear tests. I have had comments made about the fact that I'm not married (the assumption being that a married women with a regular sex life would be shaved), I've had it assumed that I'm not having sex, I've even had it assumed that as a 50-something unmarried woman who hasn't been waxed I must be a virgin. I don't shave or wax my legs, either, and I was stunned to be told by a GP friend that not bothering to wax and shave is often noted as a sign of depression and that I should be aware of that. Depilation, make-up and general grooming are all deemed to be elements of self-care and lack of shaving and make-up may be read as an indication of self-neglect — particularly by younger staff who are used to the porn-star look.

My worst experience ever was at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson hospital for women where I was treated with extraordinary contempt by a female gynaecologist who seemed to enjoy humiliating me. Her name was Mrs Love: I have never forgotten her. One of the nurses who'd been present during what felt like a really abusive examination in which she insisted I was totally naked throughout — not even a blanket or gown — came back into the room afterwards and apologised for what had happened. She seemed as shocked as I was.

I've also had really rather lovely bonding moments: one very pregnant nurse talked to me about the indignities she'd had to endure during her ante-natal appointments as she carried out a smear very gently and it felt as if I was being treated by someone who really empathised with the indignity of the situation. If every smear test was carried out by people as engaged and sympathetic as her, more of us would have it done.

TMI warning, but as someone who has had rectal and vaginal exams - uncomfortable but reasonably dignified where you stay mostly covered and the practitioner is careful and reassuring, the contrast with smear test is huge. You are much more exposed, the force used is much greater, the attitude from the nurses is "shut up and spread 'em, it's not that bad" while they disregard any attempt to relax or prevent pelvic muscle spasm (incredibly painful). I know people who have never been back after a bad smear, they were so distressed by it. If the NHS is concerned about take up they need to address this stat. "don't be embarrased dear" is not good enough.

This is really well put enough2 and sums up my own experiences and opinion perfectly.

I’ve had gynae cancer and also laser removal of pre-cancerous cervical cells. I’ve had many, many transvaginal probes and internals (as well as surgery) but I find smear tests particularly brutal. This is partially due to anatomy but a lot due to the speculum and the heavy handedness of certain nurses. At my GP surgery, there’s only one practice nurse out of the two that my local friends and I will go to, after all having had traumatic experiences with the other. I have to have them every 3 years, and am currently due one, but have a lot of anxiety about going. I will do, big it shouldn’t be this way.

P.S there has been some research on the use of home testing kits for smears which has positive initial results. I'd be well up for that as an option.

I dont wax my legs anymore as i can no longer afford it and shaving makes me sore.

Ive had it the opposite way @thatdamnwoman

As a married woman of 45 people assume i have sex. I dont Im married to a man 23 years my senior who is in poor health.

If someone expects me to wax..............they can pay for it.

This may be a stupid question, but with disposable speculums and an instruction leaflet, couldn't women who prefer to do it themselves? My hubby had to give himself an enema before a procedure and was given what he needed and assured he could ask for a nurse to do it instead if he wanted but he was fine. I know it's a bit more complicated, but how much?

And also here's an article from a woman GP who chooses not to have smear tests: www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

hdh there have been various trials looking at self-testing which look promising:

www.gynaehealthuk.com/gynaecheck-in-the-press/130-would-you-self-test-for-cervical-cancer

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/smear-test-cervical-cancer-screening-home-women-nhs-british-medical-journal-a8669826.html

Gosh... I can’t imagine self testing... mind you I got my head around menstrual cups!

My first smear was traumatic.

It then found cin cells that were routinely punched away every 6 months over a period of 3 years. Sometimes it was a man but after being treated like a fuss pot when it hurt in the first smear, I didn't feel like I could request a woman.

Once I asked if they'd do a general sti test at the same time; she said yes. Another time I was told off for wasting resources and must make a separate appointment for that.

I was recently told they've now decided that procedure was completely unnecessary.

They were punched away through biopsies till basically the area had gone.

I was recently told that some changes in cells in the cervix (that I'd had) were normal and just go away.

Depilation, make-up and general grooming are all deemed to be elements of self-care and lack of shaving and make-up may be read as an indication of self-neglect

Only if you’re female though. No wonder depression in men is under diagnosed

I haven’t been able to make myself go for a smear test since I had one that really bloody hurt. It was awful. It’s not shame that stops me going back, it’s fear of a repeat of that. And I feel stupid and cowardly about it.

I cried at my last smear test, it just felt so horribly violating and undignified. The Dr tried to get me to tell her why I was crying, but I just wanted to get it over with. I don't know if I'll go again.

It's interesting to read some of the posts saying that making out smear tests aren't a big deal actually makes them worse.

Oh Awkward, don’t feel stupid and cowardly. If it’s not done with extra care, or if your cervix is shaped a certain way or mobile and difficult to locate, it can be really painful.

I had my last smear test under anaesthetic for another procedure. I’m now a year or so overdue. Several nurses have failed to be able to do the smear test on me (I have vaginismus) and only one or two have been less than awful about it. The NHS has itself to blame for any low take up. They need to train people not to be awful. A smear test is a big deal to some of us, unfortunately.

Once many years ago a female doctor can to talk to some asylum seekers I worked with and was telling them about ‘keeping fresh’ and using douches. I was so angry, though in my early 20s I didn’t have the confidence to say anything.

So yes, HCP are failing on two levels at least - normalising actual bodies with actual hair (I do in fact shave a bit thanks to my own internalised patriarchal preferences but why the hell should anyone?), and not dealing with the trauma, physical and mental barriers many women have.

I must say my last smear was at a gum clinic where the nurses were absolutely lovely.

Smears could be done DIY but the medical profession discourage it because of the ££££ they get from doing smears.

"don't be embarrased dear" is not good enough.

Absolutely! I cannot bear this rhetoric that we are all just too embarrassed to go (although there’s an element of that I’m sure).

Every time they can’t find my cervix. I’m up on both fists in all sorts of positions on a stupid tiny bed while they tell me to relax!! I’m actually overdue a smear right now but can’t bear the thought of one after a traumatic labour. I’m not fucking embarrassed, I just can’t cope with a horrible, invasive procedure when the attitude is ‘it doesn’t hurt and it lasts a minute’.

Just an afterthought.. my friend who finds smears traumatic is given diazepam by her GP to take prior. If you have a sympathetic GP this might be an option to those who struggle.

diazepam
I can't think of anything worse. Whilst maybe good for those that feel anxious it does not solve the root cause. Better test options, better training and better attitudes to patients is a start.

jenny its not for everyone. As I said upthread I've only had one bad experience but my friend couldn't cope even with good HCPs. Its an option. It won't suit all.

*Depilation, make-up and general grooming are all deemed to be elements of self-care and lack of shaving and make-up may be read as an indication of self-neglect

Only if you’re female though. No wonder depression in men is under diagnosed hmm*

Nearly all the fellas I know have got beards atm. Heck they must be miserable as sin...

Genuine question: why is a metal speculum worse than plastic? I've noticed I've had plastic the last couple of times and I don't see the difference, so long as they warm the metal one. It just seems so wasteful.
I didn't know there had been cleaning issues with the metal though. I assumed they went through an autoclave.

Its not just plastic speculums though. The insistence to cut down on plastic will also affect disabled people who use plastic straws.