G/F doesn't want smear test

LegacyUser

Girlfriend fainted during the week; went to doctor - she wanted me to attend too as she's not confident with medical english. Doctor suggested a smear test. She agreed. Afterward she asked me exactly what this involved. When I told her she freaked.

This is a female doctor and I tried to explain why this is a good idea.

She doesn't want to do this and I have a week to convince her. Anyone got any good suggestions?

Ickle Magoo

Perhaps remind her it could save her life.....that thought always helps me to have regular smears.....

Why is is so abhorrant anyway? It's a medical professional carrying out a medical procedure....

metrovelvet

How did the doctor decide a smear test was an appropriate response to fainting?

As someone who is prone to fainting, I find this bizarre medical advice.

Aside from this, she should be getting smears anyhow.

Ickle Magoo

Can fainting not be a sign of serious infection? Or maybe she hasn't (judging by her reaction) had a smear before & her Dr thinks a she should & it has nothing to do with fainting?....

spurious

At the end of the day it's her decision what happens to her.

Her extreme reaction is a little worrying. Perhaps she has had something happen in her life that makes the idea of what happens in a smear test freak her out?

I know a number of women have SEVERE pain (and at least one who has fairly heavy bleeding) during smear tests, mainly due to the size and type of speculum used. Many doctors use a 'one size fits all' approach, which is very much not the case.

I hope it's nothing serious.

Ickle Magoo

True, it's not pleasant....but compared with cervical cancer I'm sure it's delightful....

eth0_

Doctors use disposable plastic adjustable speculums.
I've never heard of any of my friends having pain or bleeding from a smear test. Perhaps the women Spurious knows had a smear because they had an infection?

I had my first smear test in the IFPA off O'Connell street a few weeks ago. I'm 25 and i've been putting it off for years because the idea of it made me cringe, but tbh it's so quick you don't have time to be embarrassed.

eth0_

spurious wrote:

Her extreme reaction is a little worrying. Perhaps she has had something happen in her life that makes the idea of what happens in a smear test freak her out?

I think you're really jumping the gun here. The idea of a complete stranger peering up your gee freaks out most women. But it has to be done.

Ickle Magoo

I've never heard of that either eth0_ - I've had smears at least every 3yrs for the past 18/19yrs & never felt pain or bled....just embarassed at having my bits blowing in the wind!.....some women may have more sensitive cervix than others - or have infections as you say....it is not a nice experience, but a wholly necessary part of life for any woman, especially if she is sexually active.....

simu

metrovelvet wrote:

How did the doctor decide a smear test was an appropriate response to fainting?

As someone who is prone to fainting, I find this bizarre medical advice.

Aside from this, she should be getting smears anyhow.

I think GPs are trying to promote smear tests and will mention them to any woman of the right age group they see before them, no matter why she came in.

tSubh Dearg

It is so important to get a smear test. I put it off for years and then had my first two come back irregular. This meant I had to go for a colposcopy which is even worse than a regular smear test, and I had to get a piece of my cervix removed.

Thankfully I only have to go back for one more colposcopy now and then I can start having regular smears again but I will have to have them annually rather than every 2-3 years like most women.

Though I hated the whole experience I'm glad I did go because if I had kept putting it off there is a chance I could've developed cervical cancer from the mad little cells they cut off.

I did find normal smears to be a bit uncomfortable. Afterwards it felt like I had mild period pains, a crampy kind of feeling. After the colposocopy it feels like I have serious cramps. But again I'm willing to put up with this now to know that I am healthy.

neuro-praxis

eth0_ wrote:

Doctors use disposable plastic adjustable speculums.

HA! My doctor used a very cold metal speculum at my last smear. That wasn't nice. It was one of these babies.

It's uncomfortable for a few moments. Better than cancer though. Presumably.

CathyMoran

How about going with her when she gets it done - if I am really nervous about anything I always drag my otherhalf along. You could make her as relaxed as possible before hand. The experience is at best uncomfortable but the more relaxed you are about it the easier it is.

Faith

neuro-praxis wrote:

HA! My doctor used a very cold metal speculum at my last smear. That wasn't nice.

Me too. This reminds me, I think I'm due for one :eek:

OP, you just need to talk to your girlfriend and reassure her that it's nothing to be worried about. In the interests of her health, it's advisable for her to get them done regularly and it's important that she understands this.

scorplett

eth0_ wrote:

Doctors use disposable plastic adjustable speculums.
I've never heard of any of my friends having pain or bleeding from a smear test. Perhaps the women Spurious knows had a smear because they had an infection?

I think these new plastic adjustable speculums should be promoted better. I have had over 20 tests where speculum were used in the last 10 years and only 3 of all those were with these new speculum which was an entirely more pleasant experiance. Many women who have only ever known the cold heavy surgical steel speculums may well be less reluctant to return for testing.

Pain can be experianced at smears testing. I have Endometirosis (as do about 1 in 9 of women although only a fraction are diagnosed) and one of the symptoms is often painfull intercourse (at different stages for different women but most commonly on initial penetration), with this symptom it can be expected that the same symptoms will be evidant in smear testing, particuluarly when you are the farthest thing from turned on you could possibly be.

There are many infections, diseases and conditions that could cause particuluar discomfort and pain when a speculum is used, it is also possible for blood to be present but much rarer for actual bleeding to occur. A number of those tests that I have had have been invalid due to excess blood in the sample. This can be due to many problems but is usually just due to proximity of menstruation to the day of the test or to begnin vaginal cysts being ruptured.

As regard being weirded out by a doctor looking at your bits you get very used to it very quickley, especially with regular tests with the same doc. It is often a comfort to attend a female doctor, however if the doctor is male you should have a female nurse present. Either way you just have to constantley remind yourself that they are doctors, it is extreamley unlikley that a gynae doc would see something in you that they have not seen as a matter of routiene. They dont care if you hairy or bald, if you have stretchmarks all over your thighs, if you have a spot on your arse or if you havent shaved your legs this morning. They have seen every sort of vaginal discharge and would want to know if it smells foul or not as this is often a condiseration in their diagnosis nothing 'down there' is taboo to a gynae doc and it is NOT violation it is exploration. If at any point it is uncomfortable, tell the nurse or doc to stop. After all you are their customer.

A couple of tips I find usefull. Wear a skirt to the exam and if you can, bring some femnine wipes and a fresh pair of panties and panty liners, expecially if you have to go to work after your appointment. If you have long hair, dont tie it in a pony tail as youll be liying down. All these things can be a help so that you dont get flustered when preparing for the exam.

Anyhow... If any of you get the opportunity to, please tell the other women you know that many places now use adjustable disposeable speculum...
Good Luck Ladies

LegacyUser

I should have pointed out the test was nothing to do with her fainting - just that she had never had one before...

Well hopefully this thread will convince her. Thanks again!

pepper

she will care about not having the test if she gets ovarian cancer and it wasnt traced cos she didnt "want" a smear test- happened to my cousin- and she died!

the Guru

Is this a Pap Smear or a Blood smear, There is a huge difference

if she fainted she could be anemic. !

Oobie

Speaking from experience, a male doctor is usually a lot more gentle than a female doctor. I refuse to go to female gynaes anymore because they're so rough!

Dreamer 7

I had muy 1st smear a few months ago, and nearly had a panic attack in the waiting room!! I was dreading it soo much , the doc couldnt understand how i had had two children yet no smear. Anywho, eventually got it done, yes it was icky yes it made me feel like crying but its done now and wont need another for a couple of yrs, had my fiance with me which made it alot better.

the Guru

Previous Pap smear guidelines called for all women who were 18 (or younger, if sexually active) to have Pap smear screenings for cervical cancer once a year. The new Pap smear guidelines are significantly more lenient and allow many women to be screened for cervical cancer every two to three years. Highlights of the new Pap smear guidelines include:

Beginning cervical cancer screening through Pap smears within three years of having vaginal sexual intercourse or no later than 21 years of age. Depending on the type of Pap test utilized and the test results, cervical cancer screening should be done every one to two years until a woman reaches the age of thirty.


Once a woman reaches age 30, she may begin Pap smear screenings for cervical cancer every two to three years providing she has had at least three consecutive Pap smear with normal results. Some women who have other health issues such as HIV or a compromised immune system may need to have more frequent cervical cancer screenings.

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/cervicalcancer/a/cervcananpapsme.htm

b3t4

eth0_ wrote:

Doctors use disposable plastic adjustable speculums.

I have had around 5 smear tests, in each one they used a metal speculum. They aren't the nicest things in the world as they can be quite cold.

Perhaps the women Spurious knows had a smear because they had an infection?

I experienced pain on a few occassions at a smear test and had no infection. Most doctors will tell you that you might feel a little pinch. I've experienced mild cramps after 1 or 2 of the smears.

OP, when you say your girlfriend isn't confident with medical english am I correct in thinking english isn't her native tongue?? My thoughts on this are that there may be a cultural thing as to why your girlfriend doesn't want to have it done if she is not from Ireland.

I would, if I were in your position, try to find a female friend of yours who has had a smear test and ask them to reassure your girlfriend of the procedure. Your girlfriend might find it comforting knowing someone that has gone through the procedure.

A.

I can totally understand the op's fear but they aren’t that bad most of the time, I’ve had three.
The worst experience I ever had down there at the hands of a doctor was getting a mirena inserted. I took painkillers and all but I was literally crying with the pain and I fainted afterwards
But it was worth it in the end.

The only bad smear experience I’ve had is when a man has performed it, I don’t know why I didn't say it at the time but he really hurt me so IMO get a woman to perform them.

There a history of cancer in my family and I had a couple of irregular smears so I’ve also had a coloscopy.
Count backwards from 99 if there is any uncomfortable ness

daiixi

Back in Oz we're recommended to get them from the age of 18 (or if sexually active earlier, from the time we start being sexually active) and then have a smear every two years or more often if there's abnormalities. Seriously it's worth any embarrassment or discomfort. Remember, these people are professionals (my waxist is way more "personal" than my gyno tbh!). Tell your gf to ask her doc to explain the procedure to her and to warm everything up before she gets started. Apart from that she's got to relax. No reason why you can't be there with her either if she wants!

Thirdfox

Slightly off topic but what is the procedure for an STI test for men? I was told in a sexual awareness lecture that it involved a Q tip like object being inserted into the hole of the penis - sounds very painful!!!

Wouldn't a blood test be much better?

Oryx

The smear test only takes a few minutes. Go in with her, hold her hand, make her laugh if you can so she'll relax. Talk sh!te the whole way thru in any case to take her mind off. The more tense she is the more difficult it will be.

michaelanthony

It's her business

b3t4

Thirdfox wrote:

Slightly off topic but what is the procedure for an STI test for men?

Having a smear test has nothing to do with STI's. They generally take a smear test when giving a woman a STI test as it's handy to get everything over and done with at once.

For more info on STI tests have a look at the thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=152605

A.

shatners basoon

b3t4 wrote:

Having a smear test has nothing to do with STI's. They generally take a smear test when giving a woman a STI test as it's handy to get everything over and done with at once

Not necessarily, i work in a cytology lab and i can assure you the HPV is by far the biggest cause of abnormalities of the cervix. Been told that there's a vaccine in the works tho which would greatly eliminate the problem of cervical cancer.

spurious

Bottom line is, it's her body, it's her decision.

Just as there are many men who put off having their prostate checked for years and years, sometimes until it's too late, so there are women who for whatever reason do not have regular smears. We may all agree it's foolhardy, but at the end of the day, it is her decision.

blue banana

My GP is male, but he has a female nurse who actually carries out the smear tests. I've only ever had plastic speculums used TG, as the metal ones don't sound very nice.

TBH for me the thought is actually a lot worse than the procedure. I know it's easier said than done, but the best piece of advice is to relax, pretend your lying on a beach somewhere. Afterwards, I always think, "Great I won't have to do that for another three years."

b3t4

shatners basoon wrote:

Not necessarily, i work in a cytology lab and i can assure you the HPV is by far the biggest cause of abnormalities of the cervix.

Thanks shatners basoon. Apologies for my inaccuracy.

A.

BC

Just try to reassure your girlfriend. Has she female friends she can talk to who have had smears before? Maybe get her to post on some female boards to ask for other womens experiences. Hearing reassurance might calm her nerves a bit. Smear tests are not painful but they are uncomfortable. Its not the most pleasant experience in the world but at the end of the day it could save her life. It only takes a minute and If its clear she probably won't need another one for about 3 years.

On another note, bleeding is actually relatively common in smear tests. It doesn't necessarily mean there is an infection or any problem.

dudara

She should seriously consider getting the test performed. It can save your life, prevent infertility and all manner of bad things. let her find a GP that she feels comfortable with, because that will help immensely.

It's similar to never going to the dentist and then wondering why all your teeth hurt. This is one of those instances where prevention is better than the cure.