smear test

willy wonka

I need to get a smear test done. I'm 30 and have never had one done.
I am going to go to my GP to talk about this but don't want him to perform the smear - I would rather have a nurse do this. Should I just go the nurse?
I have had irregular bleeding and maybe I need to talk to the doctor?

Jules

its completely up to you and how comfortable you feel with your doc. i had to get my first one like 3/4 years ago and got my doctor to do it. He has know me since i was 12. He is a very gentle man and very comforting. I felt totally at easy with him.

you can go and talk to you doc first and he would probably book you an appointment with the nurse, they normally do those kind of things.

willy wonka

edit: just re-read your post - thanks for the advice

Beruthiel

I would just find a female doctor and book yourself in, you can get both things done at once.

Also, it is wise to get this done on a regular basis.

Miss Fluff

Are you in Dublin? If so I can recommend a women's health clinic in Dublin 2, all the staff are female.

PS, thirty is very late to be having your first smear!!

hunnymonster

I would second going to a female doctor if you have access to one. The test itself is nothing to worry about. The embarrassement is the worst part. If it helps we could explain what will happen. I always find knowing what to expect reduces any concerns I might have.

StandnDeliver

does your doctor pratice have a nurse?they usualy do it.
i only had mine done recently and i am 26, wasnt much to it and i got thinking why did i put it off for so long.nothing to nervous about at all op.
though there is a 6month waiting list for the results which is ridiculous

Nevyn

National Cervical Screening Programme has a listing for those who do smeartests out side of dublin for those that want some one other then their gp for what ever reason.

http://www.icsp.ie/where_to_have_a_smear/

What is a cervical smear test?

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix, the neck of the womb, and checked in a laboratory to look for any not normal cells. Minor cell changes are fairly common and usually clear up without any treatment. In women where the cell changes do not resolve or where there are more significant cell changes, a referral to a gynaecology unit is made.

Who should be screened?

All women who are, or have been, sexually active should have smear tests done. We recommend screening from age twenty five up to about age sixty four. Women who have only recently become sexually active should wait for a year to eighteen months before having a smear test.

What is the normal screening interval?

Different healthcare systems tend to have different views on this. At Well Woman we advise two smear tests approximately one year apart and if both of these are normal, then smear tests every three years after this up to age sixty four. If you have bleeding in between periods or have bleeding after intercourse see your GP or clinic even if you are not due for another smear test.

Is there a particular time of the menstrual cycle to have a smear test?

Yes. Somewhere in the middle of your cycle is best. Provided your period is over by at least three or four days

RESULTS
When will I get a result?
Due to an under supply of laboratory staff, there is a delay in getting test results back. Well Woman uses the Royal College of Surgeons laboratory based on the Beaumont Hospital campus, Dublin. Waiting time for results can be ten to twelve weeks. However, if someone has symptoms such as irregular vaginal bleeding, analysis of the results is prioritised.

Is there another option?

Well Woman also works with an accredited laboratory outside Ireland. Test samples are couriered to the laboratory and results are back within ten working days. This is a premium service, and a higher charge applies.

How do I get the result?

All patients get a letter with an interpretation of the laboratory report. This will state clearly if the test is normal or not and when you should have a repeat test done. If you need to have further investigation in hospital, the letter will enclose details of the arrangement made for an appointment.

What is the most likely result?

The majority of test results are normal. Younger women are more likely to have cell changes than older women.

What happens if cell changes are detected?

It depends what grade of change is found. Borderline changes are very minor and you would be asked to have a repeat test six months after the first test. Even if this also showed borderline changes, you would have another test again in six months. Only if you had three borderline tests would you be referred to hospital. This is because very
minor changes tend to eventually clear themselves without reatment.

3 months is the norm for waiting for results, it is a lot less in the UK but we don't have the same ammount of labs as they do.


As awkward as a smear test can be and as precious to you as your vagaina is
you have to remember that dr and nurses are professionals and it is just like a mechanic looking at another engine

If you are not comfortible iwth your dr doing it then enquire about the pracice nurse or look for a referal to someone else.
You need to be able to relax to a point when having it done and being all tensed up won't help the physical practicalities of the examination.

galah

Kinda off-topic, but I'm just baffled that people here don't have a "real" gynacologist for twice-yearly examinations...

In other countries like Germany, for example, every female goes to see "her" gynacologist at least twice a year for a thorough check-up (not very pleasant, may involve penis-shaped ultrasounds, breast examinations and all that kind of jazz) - from a fairly early age! That way, problems can be detected early, and since these doctors are specialized, the embarassment factor is definitely lower!

Anyways, Thaedydals advice is good - these people are professionals, and are just doing their job (and looking at you the way a mechanic looks at a car...). So don't worry! ;-)

Edit: corrected a typo..;-)

tabatha

well woman clinic are very good, any family planning clinic does them i think. last one i had done i was shocked when they said " come back in three years for another". i dont think so, i went back the next year. you should have one every year at least.

Nevyn

galah wrote:

Kinda off-topic, but I'm just baffled that people here don't have a "real" gynacologist for twice-yearly examinations...

In other countries like Germany, for example, every female goes to see "her" gynacologist at least twice a year for a thorough check-up (not very pleasant, may involve penis-shaped ultrasounds, breast examinations and all that kind of jazz) - from a fairly early age! That way, problems can be detected early, and since these doctors are specialized, the embarassment factor is definitely lower!

Ireland is consideribly behind when it comes to health issus and even more so
when it comes to areas that are related to sexual and reporductive health issues.
Contraception only became legal here in 1979.