Are you up to date on your smears?

Thanks for posting this thread - it has made me determined to beat my phobia! I haven't had one since before my son was born (and he is nearly 7!), and keep getting reminders, but keep putting it off.

Around 15 months ago there was on a thread on here very similar to this, at the time I had never been for a smear and that thread prompted me to go for one.

It was quick and painless, wasnt a pleasent experience by any means but I had hyped myself up so much for some kind of horrific procedure! I went into the room shaking and feelin sick, I vomited that morning I was that scared. I wont by any means look forward to my next smear test but I certainly wont dread it.

I think every woman should have regular smear tests, surely its worth it for a minute or two of embaressment?

I'm due one around now, but will be putting it off until the end of the year due to being pg.

It is not the embarrassment factor for me (I though having a anglepoise lamp pointing up my bits quite funny), I just really tense up and cannot relax, which makes the actual smear really quite unpleasant (but not as unpleasant as cancer or something else would be, I know).

I'm a year overdue. This is because firstly they only do smear tests from 11pm - 1pm on a Thursday, a time when it is very difficult for me to be off work and also means I miss a huge chunk commuting there and back. Also, the last few times I've had a Thursday off, they have had no appointments.

This thread has reminded me to phone up again.

I haven't had one done for years. Over 4 years i think.
The last ones i had done were so painful and embarrasing it's put me off. I'd rather go through child birth again than have one. I know i should have one done, my own mother has suffered in the lady depo but i can't bring myself to do it. Even thinking about the experience has made me feel sick.

Thanks for reminding me ?

I was due one in October last year, but because of a holiday and the nurses not being able to do it, then not being able to get an appointment at the right point in my cycle, then Christmas I didn't get round to it and since then have just forgotten!

I'm in the process of moving house, so will sort out a new GP asap and get myself booked in.

quote:Originally posted by hazel
I'm overdue but only because I've had a baby

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WHS

Will be making an appontment in due course.

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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No lecture from me, but when we had our IVF I needed to have a recent (within 6 months) clear smear (as well as a chlymidia test and a 'high vaginal swab, whatever that was for). We wouldn't have got past the initial stages if I hadn't been able to do this. Take a friend if you need to ( would have to be a very good one! ?) but please go!

Will be good practise for any potential future rummages anyway. Good luck!

You've all shamed me into making an appointment for next Tuesday.

Any suggestions how to make it less painful?

I've only ever had 1 and I'm 32. Keep getting the reminders but don't make an appointment to go.
Stupid really as I've had a baby and it cant be any more embarrassing than that!!!

quote:Originally posted by LittlePeanut
You've all shamed me into making an appointment for next Tuesday.

Any suggestions how to make it less painful?

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Nurofen or a glass of wine before hand and relax. Lots of deep breathing.

The new procedure is much better and I hadn't even realised the nurse had finished the last time i went.

quote:Originally posted by decibelle

quote:Originally posted by jelly baby
No lectures please - but I've never had one. I know I should but I just can't. However, we went to the GP about fertility and she has convinced me to go and have one. I haven't quite managed it yet but I will (I think)

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No lecture from me, but when we had our IVF I needed to have a recent (within 6 months) clear smear (as well as a chlymidia test and a 'high vaginal swab, whatever that was for). We wouldn't have got past the initial stages if I hadn't been able to do this. Take a friend if you need to ( would have to be a very good one! ?) but please go!

Will be good practise for any potential future rummages anyway. Good luck!

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I should also add that I really hope you don't need any future rummages in your bits barring smears! But should you do, please don't worry or be nervous about it, I've had many a probe and scanner up there and it never once hurt. Hell, even the labour at the end of it all wasn't THAT bad!

?

quote:Originally posted by Gingey Wife

quote:Originally posted by LittlePeanut
You've all shamed me into making an appointment for next Tuesday.

Any suggestions how to make it less painful?

id="quote">

Nurofen or a glass of wine before hand and relax. Lots of deep breathing.

The new procedure is much better and I hadn't even realised the nurse had finished the last time i went.

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I had a (failed) one a couple of months ago, and I was in tears with the pain. Much worse than ones I've had before [V]

I honestly never even noticed when my nurse did the smear (obviously the legs akimbo bit I was aware of, but I mean the scraping part?).

I remember having it before and it being a bit uncomfortable but this time I didn't even feel it. I mentioned it to her and she said it was because she used a plastic "tool" rather than the metal ones and commented that they were much better.

I rang to make an appointment after i had my daughter. The receptionist asked me where I was in my cycle as she wanted me to be mid-cycle. I explained I was Breastfeeding and she told me I couldn't have a smear done whilst I was still feeding. I then got upduffed again whilst I was still breastfeeding, and am now feeding my second.

I mentioned this to my Doc a couple of weeks ago when he asked if i was up to date re the smears and he was aghast at what the receptionist said and told me to get myself booked in pronto. I am now 3 years overdue but going on Wednesday.

I let it pass at the time, but maybe I should make a bit more of a fuss about the misinformation from the receptionist.

For all those who have put them off for ages are any of you on the pill?

I have to see my doctor to get a repeat pill prescription and if I'm behind on smears I either have to have one done then or only get 1 pack of pills. When I chanegd doctors and they didn't have my records they wouldn't precribe me anything till I'd had a smear.

Then again I guess that's easier to enforce with an anual smear - if I need more pills, I must be due for a smear which isn't the case in the UK.

I went to get one before I left the country and cancelled as my period started early. Then when i rang the only time they could fit me in was "same time next month, dear". I had to point out why that wasn't going to work!?

I have never had one (I'm 24) as I've never been called. Just booked in now though ?

Ive been every 3 years since I was first called up at 21, I had one last year so have another 2 years til my next one. Its worth it.

Yep - although I have been called for one a year too early? Probably because I have changed doctor and they send it out as a matter of routine.

Mine is due next month, but I'm scared ?

I had a miscarriage back in Oct 2005 and I had 2 internals during that time, speculum and all, [ and the thought of it just reminds me of that awful time.

I will go though, I promise! I will book in the morning [gets diary out to do period maths]

I don't think I am actually
I can't remember the last time I had one, I think it might have been about 4-5 years ago, but I've not had a reminder either
I reckon I should call my surgery and check

quote:Originally posted by Pink Han-bag

quote:Originally posted by PhoebeBuffay
Han, there is a GUM clinic at my local hospital, I think if you google clinics in your area something will come up. STD test were much like when I've been swabbed before, just taking samples of cells/stuff and obviously testing them.

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wasn't sure whether it was a blood test or not. I could have both done at once then?

I did mention a smear test to the consultant when I was having an internal scan for pcos but he didn't seem interested in doing one

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Depends on what you get tested for and the clinic I'm afraid.

HIV/Hep C are blood tests. Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia can either be urine tests or endocervical or self taken vaginal swabs (depending on the clinic).

All up to date here.
First got called at the age of 19 and didn't muck about. My Nana had cervical cancer and survived (she never had a smear test in 60 odd years!).

My first smear detected changes, which got progressively worse over a period of a few months. So had to have treatment. And been on annual recall ever since. Had at least 10 smear tests in about 6 years! Still hate them though.

quote:Originally posted by badkitti*
I went to get one before I left the country and cancelled as my period started early. Then when i rang the only time they could fit me in was "same time next month, dear". I had to point out why that wasn't going to work!?

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? sounds like something I;d say these days, my brain is so scatty