Smear Test

selement

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

Just because someone doesn't make the same choices as you does not mean they are a fool.

I think it is foolish to blindly do anything - including a smear test- without considering the evidence for and against. I am no fool and have made an educated and informed decision about smear tests as have many other women - as is our RIGHT. You might think it is ok to bully women about what they do with their bodies but I don't.

An interesting read for people considering whether or not to have a smear:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

Hmmm not sure I agree with this doctor. The thing is she mentions risks of having procedures but rarely mentions the likelihood of the risks occurring. the only one she mentions it on is with Cholesterol medication, where the odds of it causing diabetes is still lower than her risk of heart attack with medication so I'd weigh that us as take the medication. She doesn't say it but I wonder if there's an element of her just accepting if health conditions happen to her, then they happen and she wants to allow nature to take it's course? Personally I'll take whatever I can to prolong my life and not get a serious medical condition! I've never heard this about pre term pregnancy risks either, Im' pretty certain this is NOT form the smear test this is from if you have abnormal cells and requite further screening colposcopy test. Cervical screening has actually barely any risks at all which is why it is recommended for women to have them.

I work in a cancer centre and if you do have cervical cancer much more invasive 'down there' things happen than smear tests! The point of smear tests is to catch abnormal cells before they turn cancerous so can avoid the treatments (also you know, less likely to die).

OP being not sexually active and being low risk might mean you don't need to worry too much for now, but it is worth you trying to overcome this as it would not be sensible to put it off forever. I hate the dentist too, I have sensitive teeth and gums and think just a checkup hurts more than a smear test does. I have only had 1 smear test (I'm 26) and I was a bit nervous about it but it is so much easier than the dentist so if you can handle that I'm confident once you manage this you'll agree the dentist is way worse!

j.e.j.

selement wrote: »

Hmmm not sure I agree with this doctor.

Fine, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. But google risks + smear tests and you will find that what the doctor is saying is backed up.

Cervical screening has actually barely any risks at all which is why it is recommended for women to have them.

That is incorrect. EVERY screening programme has pros and cons, risks and benefits.

I work in a cancer centre and if you do have cervical cancer much more invasive 'down there' things happen than smear tests! The point of smear tests is to catch abnormal cells before they turn cancerous so can avoid the treatments (also you know, less likely to die).

More scaremongering. Not helpful.

Dazedandconfused

I would just say don't rule out seeing a male doctor as it was mentioned earlier.
both of the gynae exams I had done with male doctors were much less awkward than with females. I'm not saying females are worse at them or anything it's just how it has worked for me. Apparently I have a really tilted cervix so its pretty awkward to do the test. I dread going for them, then after cant believe what I was stressing about.

I had my first smear before being sexually active due to abnormal bleeding but at your age you would be very low risk.

VfM4meplse

Not read all the responses but OP you are likely to get over this without some kind of help. What you are experiencing is an involuntary contraction, and I have a lot of sympathy with anyone who's body rejects the insertion of a random piece of plastic. Vaginal muscles are strong, and once they contract they can be difficult to loosen. The key is to relax but it's far easier said than done.

There are a number of techniques you can use to achieve this, whether cerebral, physical or chemical. How you get there is up to you - but when you get it right you'll know because the speculum will be in and out like grease lightning!

browneyedbazzi

selement wrote: »

Hmmm not sure I agree with this doctor. The thing is she mentions risks of having procedures but rarely mentions the likelihood of the risks occurring. the only one she mentions it on is with Cholesterol medication, where the odds of it causing diabetes is still lower than her risk of heart attack with medication so I'd weigh that us as take the medication. She doesn't say it but I wonder if there's an element of her just accepting if health conditions happen to her, then they happen and she wants to allow nature to take it's course? Personally I'll take whatever I can to prolong my life and not get a serious medical condition! I've never heard this about pre term pregnancy risks either, Im' pretty certain this is NOT form the smear test this is from if you have abnormal cells and requite further screening colposcopy test. Cervical screening has actually barely any risks at all which is why it is recommended for women to have them.

As I said in my first post on this thread, it is the follow-up tests (specifically cone biopsy) that leads to issues with late miscarriage and pre-term delivery because it weakens the cervix. The issue is that if you have a smear that shows abnormal cells it is a foregone conclusion that you will have the follow-ups. If you wouldn't do cone biopsy then there is no point in having a smear. Hence my choice not to have smears.

For you the 1 in 10000 chance of developing cervical cancer might be the risk you are unwilling to take, so decide that you want to do the smears. For others, that risk is an acceptable one to take in order to avoid the other risks.

I applaud anyone who looks at the evidence and makes an informed choice, regardless of if they make the same choice as me.

selement

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

As I said in my first post on this thread, it is the follow-up tests (specifically cone biopsy) that leads to issues with late miscarriage and pre-term delivery because it weakens the cervix. The issue is that if you have a smear that shows abnormal cells it is a foregone conclusion that you will have the follow-ups. If you wouldn't do cone biopsy then there is no point in having a smear. Hence my choice not to have smears.

For you the 1 in 10000 chance of developing cervical cancer might be the risk you are unwilling to take, so decide that you want to do the smears. For others, that risk is an acceptable one to take in order to avoid the other risks.

I applaud anyone who looks at the evidence and makes an informed choice, regardless of if they make the same choice as me.

Fair point. Another poster saying it IS the smear that has risks but I did google it and it sounds like it really doesn't but the further tests do have some risks. You seem to have a very good understanding of it though.

Would you have the biopsy if you had a symptom of something not right and not just a smear result? I hadn't appreciated the amount of false positives smears can produce so I kinda get it if you'd want to be more certain of something being not right before subjecting yourself to it. Those risks sound no fun to me especially before I've had kids (perhaps would be less concerned after I'm done having children).

I suppose it isn't like you are hurting anyone else with the decision not to have smears so as long as it is a well informed decision then fair enough. It isn't like you aren't vaccinating your kids (that does hurt others!).

browneyedbazzi

Yes, if I had symptoms I would go for diagnostic testing - that is a completely different situation to screening which is about looking for a problem when there are no symptoms.

The other poster rightly said there are risks associated with screening programmes - that includes the initial testing but also all the follow-ups. The smear itself has very little risk but there would be a small risk of infection etc - for example if the equipment used wasn't properly sterile - so it is wrong to say there is no risk to a smear.


I'd just add, my decision is right for me in my circumstances but is not the 'right' decision for everyone. I have another medical condition which means I am at a high risk for late miscarriage/pre-term delivery (apparently a 1 in 5 chance of carrying a baby to term - and I do want to have children) so I really don't want to do anything that would increase that risk unless it is absolutely necessary.

I'm not anti-screening -if I had already had children, didn't want any or was in a high risk group then I would definitely go for screening. I simply think that women should be given unbiased information about the risks and benefits and be allowed to make an informed choice. Currently that simply isn't available from the NHS as the system is set up to pressure everyone into screening no matter what and women who choose not to have smears are often portrayed as foolish and reckless. I think that is terrible.

helcat26

I agree whole heartedly with some of your points because they affected me. I had 2 cone biopsies in the nineties due to peripheral changes and was told then that I probably would not be able to carry a child to term. I was rather upset to say the least- still am to be honest. Further worsened by a private gynaecologist telling me that I had 1. been treated incorrectly and 2. probably could have had children with careful treatment but giving me this comment when I was 46.


But - here is where we diverge -things have improved. In those days it seemed like anything amiss resulted in you having a lump of your cervix chopped off with diathermy.


These days in most regions of the country (not all) "changes" in cells will then be referred on for molecular diagnostic tests. If the test picks up one of the high risk strains of HPV ( HPV 16 and 18 genotypes) associated with cervical cancer then and only then is treatment discussed.


So although I would say go for the screening, if anything comes back indicating treatment I would seek a second opinion before letting anything else be cut off.

Sncjw

Sorry to barge in

But could I go to sexual health and talk about my concerns of this test. The reason I have concerns is that a previous doctor tried to insert speculum but couldn't do so because of the pain. It wasn't for a smear test but to check something. I'm a virgin also so this may be the reason. I'd rather see my own doctor but rare to get appointment with her. I have been to sexual health a few times before.

System

Sncjw wrote: »

Sorry to barge in

But could I go to sexual health and talk about my concerns of this test. The reason I have concerns is that a previous doctor tried to insert speculum but couldn't do so because of the pain. It wasn't for a smear test but to check something. I'm a virgin also so this may be the reason. I'd rather see my own doctor but rare to get appointment with her. I have been to sexual health a few times before.

Depends

The place i usually go for contraception, have stopped doing smear tests and now you HAVE to go to your Gp

Might vary depending on where you are