Smear Test

Armchair23

It's perfectly usual to feel worried about new and possibly intrusive things like a smear test.
But when your fears stop you doing something that you know is only there to keep you healthy then it's a real concern.

You may have a worry about a male or female GP, or GP v Nurse. But these are highly skilled professionals. Their only concern is to keep you well. They probably see 50 women a week with their knickers off and fannys in the air. Frankly you just aren't physically any different from the rest of us, just very anxious.

And it might be a good thing to wonder about why you don't use words like vagina , if you're a female you have one whether you're a baby or a grandma. Not dirty or unpleasant just another bit of your body like an ear or a knee.

Yes do have a footle around and see where things are and how they fit together, then maybe this wont be a part of your body you feel so uncomfortable with.

You may not want to have intercourse or have babies, but if you do this is going to be tricky if you cant find a way of being a little more comfortable with your body.

I like to think that if you get your mental health into a really good place that you'll also feel more comfortable with your body.

All good wishes and I hope you find a way of living with less anxiety in your life. X

Claire_MUFC

Armchair23 wrote: »

It's perfectly usual to feel worried about new and possibly intrusive things like a smear test.
But when your fears stop you doing something that you know is only there to keep you healthy then it's a real concern.

You may have a worry about a male or female GP, or GP v Nurse. But these are highly skilled professionals. Their only concern is to keep you well. They probably see 50 women a week with their knickers off and fannys in the air. Frankly you just aren't physically any different from the rest of us, just very anxious.

And it might be a good thing to wonder about why you don't use words like vagina , if you're a female you have one whether you're a baby or a grandma. Not dirty or unpleasant just another bit of your body like an ear or a knee.

Yes do have a footle around and see where things are and how they fit together, then maybe this wont be a part of your body you feel so uncomfortable with.

You may not want to have intercourse or have babies, but if you do this is going to be tricky if you cant find a way of being a little more comfortable with your body.

I like to think that if you get your mental health into a really good place that you'll also feel more comfortable with your body.

All good wishes and I hope you find a way of living with less anxiety in your life. X

So you reckon that the GP I am seeing could actually do this, and if I can't go back to the nurse as I am way to nervous go and speak to him ? Like you say, when I am that anxious it stopping me ever going back for one that is the concern

Claire_MUFC

doodle-bug wrote: »

Just had mine done last week - not a pleasant procedure, but I feel necessary. I do agree with Izadora a few posts before - I would not want my GP to do this - the nurse actually has more experience in this area and does these as a matter of course. The GP could do this, obviously, but I say go to the one who does it the most!

My husband has to have regular blood tests and the nurse also does this for him. He once needed one when no nurse was available - the GP did it instead. Next time, he'll wait for the nurse! If you do not do a procedure on a regular basis (and a lot of GPs rely on the nurses) then they can often be a bit 'rusty'.

Please go back and give it another try when you feel a bit more comfortable - the minute it's done, the embarrassment is over and you won't think twice about it.

The problem is, I don't think I will ever feel that comfortable at the moment, so really need to find someone who I am comfortable enough with to try and get me through the first one as need to properly discuss all my fears with them

You said a GP could do this, do you think any GP could. Or better to go for the two with the gyno qualification ?

Whether its weird or not, I am actually way more comfortable with males than females. Thats not just doctors, its in every day life

Even if i just discuss my huge anxiety about this with him

Armchair23

"So you reckon that the GP I am seeing could actually do this, and if I can't go back to the nurse as I am way to nervous go and speak to him ? Like you say, when I am that anxious it stopping me ever going back for one that is the concern "

Claire virtually any health care professional can do this, but you've chosen to see it as way of going back to this one GP. A smear test is a simple procedure and it definitely doesn't need a GP to do it. I'd opt for an experienced nurse every time. And I've had a fair few smears and procedures like most older women.

You need to get your head round the fact that the procedure isn't the problem, but at the moment your anxiety probably is.

That's not to be critical, anxiety can be crippling, but you're the one who's struggling so it's up to you to do what you can to make your physical and mental health a priority and find ways of allowing yourself to take good care of your mind and body.

Claire_MUFC

Armchair23 wrote: »

"So you reckon that the GP I am seeing could actually do this, and if I can't go back to the nurse as I am way to nervous go and speak to him ? Like you say, when I am that anxious it stopping me ever going back for one that is the concern "

Claire virtually any health care professional can do this, but you've chosen to see it as way of going back to this one GP. A smear test is a simple procedure and it definitely doesn't need a GP to do it. I'd opt for an experienced nurse every time. And I've had a fair few smears and procedures like most older women.

You need to get your head round the fact that the procedure isn't the problem, but at the moment your anxiety probably is.

That's not to be critical, anxiety can be crippling, but you're the one who's struggling so it's up to you to do what you can to make your physical and mental health a priority and find ways of allowing yourself to take good care of your mind and body.

I'm not saying I need him to do each and every one, just to try and help get me through the first one as tried with nurse and because it was a new procedure and I wasn't comfortable with it or her being someone i have never seen before, and.other things like the fact i did have a gyno problem as a baby it was just too much

If a GP can do it, what i'm thinking is if being the most understanding person I have seen, if he can help and get me through the first one. It should be a doddle after that, will be able to go to anyone. Just at the moment feel going to who i am most comfortable with be better than putting it off forever

I was like that with dentists. Absolutely petrified. Scribbled off my practice list as i would not go. Found a nice understanding dentist and he was wonderful, got me through my fear and now i have no issues at all. Even registered back with my.lical practice where years ago the thought made me ill

JulieElizabeth

Claire, I had a smear once, had abnormal cells. had to go to the hospital to be looked at by consultant under the big microscope with legs wide to the world and about a dozen students looking at the big screen

The nurse in my practice is an absolute peach and I wish she was in my life more personally. She jokes about how she's not buying me a drink first before asking to get my underwear off.

If you are not comfortable; don't do it. And stop stressing over it. If you had a lump on your breast would you feel the same?

I am weird though. I'm the kind that loves going to the dentist.

Claire_MUFC

JulieElizabeth wrote: »

Claire, I had a smear once, had abnormal cells. had to go to the hospital to be looked at by consultant under the big microscope with legs wide to the world and about a dozen students looking at the big screen

The nurse in my practice is an absolute peach and I wish she was in my life more personally. She jokes about how she's not buying me a drink first before asking to get my underwear off.

If you are not comfortable; don't do it. And stop stressing over it. If you had a lump on your breast would you feel the same?

I am weird though. I'm the kind that loves going to the dentist.

Haha, oh dear. Consultant and students looking, sounds like my worst nightmare

I probably will let the nurse do them once I have got over the first one. Would you say its appropriate to ask a GP with a gyno qualification and that I have seen loads of times, even if he is male ?

Its weird, because apart from extractions. I used to be terrified of the dentist and almost at the point now where I can't wait for 6 month checkups and don't mind who I see, haha. So it does show I can get over my fears, just need to find the best way to do that for me. Thats why I was considering going to my GP to try and get over the first one and then who knows, may not mind the procesure or:A who does them at all 😛

I just didn't know if it was appropriate to see if my GP can help me with my huge fear of smear tests for the first one, with him being male. Although does hold a gyno qualification

JulieElizabeth

Claire - honest to god pet, you would need to be a complete freak to actually LIKE the process of undergoing a smear.

I am betting lots of ladies are invited and don't go for reasons of anxiety/embarrassment

given what your GP knows about your issues already, a chat with him about your apprehensions will be nothing out of the ordinary. Trust me, GPs have probably seen a lot weirder than you. Male/female has never bothered me; as long as they have to right letters after their name

Take care sweetie, and best of luck

Angry_Bear

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Would you say its appropriate to ask a GP with a gyno qualification and that I have seen loads of times, even if he is male ?

You keep asking this question, and I'm guessing it's because it's really stressing you out. So let me reiterate what other people have said, it is absolutely fine to ask your GP to do this, no matter whether they are male or female or have the specific Gyno qualification or not. ANY GP can do a smear, and it's more important that it's someone YOU are happy with.

That being said, as with some other posters, I prefer the nurse as they do so many of them and are much more "in practice" (a lot like blood tests, nurses are much better at drawing blood than doctors imo).

I would suggest discussing your fear with your GP, I also find it a little odd that you only refer to your vagina as "down there" - it reads almost like you're afraid of your own body. Your GP may be able to give you some advice on dealing with any issues before you think about actually getting a smear done.

Claire_MUFC

JulieElizabeth wrote: »

Claire - honest to god pet, you would need to be a complete freak to actually LIKE the process of undergoing a smear.

I am betting lots of ladies are invited and don't go for reasons of anxiety/embarrassment

given what your GP knows about your issues already, a chat with him about your apprehensions will be nothing out of the ordinary. Trust me, GPs have probably seen a lot weirder than you. Male/female has never bothered me; as long as they have to right letters after their name

Take care sweetie, and best of luck

Haha, yeah I suppose that is true 😛

So you'd say just book an appointment with him and be honest about my full feelings of anxiety with the smear test, why I am so worried etc. No you're right, if they have the right letters by their name why should their gender matter

If my GP has done a qualification in gyno, then he's probably heard and seen it all before so happy enough that he is qualified enough and nothing inappropriate about it

If it turns out he can actually do my first one, i'm not bothered at all about him needing a chaperone. I had to have one with nurse when I went in to hold my hand anyway I was that worked up haha 😂