Smear Test

Claire_MUFC

McKneff wrote: »

I haven't trawled through all your thread, just one or two posts.


What concerns me is that you have a problem in your 'brain'


For goodness sake, yes, I agree, it is 'down there' but you need to face it. It is your vagina, you also, 'down there' have an anus. Someone, somewhere in your life has damaged you so much it makes me sad. Its your body and it is the most natural thing in the world.




Could someone remind me of the programme on the TV which was a major drama a few years ago in which a lady just like the OP went to a therapist and was told to look in a mirror at her anatomy and accept what was part of her body....

Thank you very much, I have a problem in my 'brain'. The way you said that makes me.feel loads better. I know I have a problem in my brain, I am currently being treated for depression and anxiety !!

No, this is not down to any person damaging me, as you have put it.

I am also not bothered about what is and isn't part of my body. I just have fears relating to the procedure.

Claire_MUFC

Torry_Quine wrote: »

It does surprise me that they wanted to do a smear before you have been sexually active. When I first went to see about contraception when I was getting married they said that normally they would do a smear they wouldn't as I had never been sexually active.

Could you see a female doctor to explain your fears to, she will also have your notes with details of the surgery you had.

I could, to be honest not that many GPs I'm comfortable enough with to sit an explain my fears to, maybe the CBT i am having soon for social anxiety will help with that

There is the GP treating me for depression and anxiety, but then he is male. So itswhether he can discuss things like this

I just thought everyone had a smear once they turn or are near 25 yo.

MissSarah151

Sncjw wrote: »

I'm worried about mine too. I got a letter last year and another this year but when I went to get something checked out at sexual health clinic the doc wanted to insert the speculum but I couldn't do it. It was hurting so much that he gave up. I haven't been sexually active Ethier and it's the speculum putting me off.

Try not to let this put you off going for your smear, its a really important test, won't take long and then you're free for another three years! Is there anyone you could take with you? Tell the nurse beforehand you are nervous - and ask for the smallest speculum they have!

melloecastro

If you have not been sexually active you are potentially very low risk as the hpv virus is I believe key to cervical cancer and we have smears to detect any small changes to the cells every 3 years. Originally I was told too not to have a smear until sexually active.

In the past I call Jo's Trust . 0808 802 8000. They look after anyone concerned about cervical issues. I have a scare a few years ago and they were fantastic. They can answer any questions you have and have experts on hand that can also help you. They say you can ring the line if you have just basic questions about smear tests so I would say ring them.

BTW you are not alone. I know many people who have had many smears, children even and they still don't like it. I have had three in the last three years, need to book one now to then go back onto the normally every three year cycle and I still put them off.

It does also help if you have a female doctor to do it I find and you can ask for a small speculum too. I get the doctor to do mine not the nurse as it reassures me somehow that she is more qualified.

Claire_MUFC

melloecastro wrote: »

If you have not been sexually active you are potentially very low risk as the hpv virus is I believe key to cervical cancer and we have smears to detect any small changes to the cells every 3 years. Originally I was told too not to have a smear until sexually active.

In the past I call Jo's Trust . 0808 802 8000. They look after anyone concerned about cervical issues. I have a scare a few years ago and they were fantastic. They can answer any questions you have and have experts on hand that can also help you. They say you can ring the line if you have just basic questions about smear tests so I would say ring them.

BTW you are not alone. I know many people who have had many smears, children even and they still don't like it. I have had three in the last three years, need to book one now to then go back onto the normally every three year cycle and I still put them off.

It does also help if you have a female doctor to do it I find and you can ask for a small speculum too. I get the doctor to do mine not the nurse as it reassures me somehow that she is more qualified.

Yeah, the low risk thing due to not being sexually active thing is what nurse said. I think the main reason she even tried to do the smear is because she said it is a good habit to get into

Your thing about you get the doctor to do yours, to be honest that is something I would prefer as like you say makes you a bit me reassured thinking they are more qualified. I thought you had to have the nurse do it if that was practice policy

GPs in my surgery are mostly male now I think, female I have seen is retiring. I know a male GP would have to have a chaperone which wouldn't bother me at all as peace of mind would be there that GP is that bit more qualified and more suitable if there are any problems. Being someone i am seeing for depression and anxiety, could prob help me overcome this and get smear done, maybe in small steps

melloecastro

You could even try a sexual health clinic? They should have female doctors.

If you ring that number I am convinced they will reassure you a lot and explain in more detail and advise you. They really really helped me as some of the helpline staff are nurses.


You are not alone!

Claire_MUFC

melloecastro wrote: »

You could even try a sexual health clinic? They should have female doctors.

If you ring that number I am convinced they will reassure you a lot and explain in more detail and advise you. They really really helped me as some of the helpline staff are nurses.


You are not alone!

Thank you so much, I will give that number a try 😀

melloecastro

btw when I ring the practice I just say I insist on seeing the doctor and they are fine with it.It does help as when I had the scare the nurse spotted something minor which affected the smear result and I then had to go and see the doctor anyway!


And I know what you mean about hiding the letters! And the dentist. My poor mum still despairs of me. and I am 37!

Claire_MUFC

melloecastro wrote: »

btw when I ring the practice I just say I insist on seeing the doctor and they are fine with it.It does help as when I had the scare the nurse spotted something minor which affected the smear result and I then had to go and see the doctor anyway!


And I know what you mean about hiding the letters! And the dentist. My poor mum still despairs of me. and I am 37!

How do you reckon my practice would be with GPs being all male, once female retires soon ? As long as I agreed for them to have a chaperone present, which I fully understand the need for. Would find it helped to work through issues with the nice doc treating my depression and anxiety. He is one of the best in the practice, often overruns, but that is because he takes the time to listen

Haha, I used to be awful with dentist. Registered again with my local practice now as they were taking patients on, but they scribbled me off about 5 years ago for non attendance. Been to every appt since, had fillings etc. Only time they had to refer me elsewhere was to have a tooth extracted, better but not that better, had IV sedation for that which made it a breeze. I felt drunk haha !

As I was bullied alot by other females in school, it actually takes me longer to feel comfortable with females than a male. Maybe that could be part of my problem also

purpleshoes_2

I was reading today that sexually active or not, you should still have a smear done.

It took me a very long time to get my second smear done after the first one. Something I wont make the mistake of doing again.