Cervical Smear Unsatisfactory

LegacyUser

In the past year I have had three cervical smears and none of them have come back satisfactory. The last two came back unsatisfactory due to a thick mucous. I now have another appointment for another cervical smear. I am starting to get a bit worried. I have spoken to the nurses and asked them was everything ok and they have tried to reassure me that everything is fine. I know that this is not a medical board but I would like to know if there are any other females who have experienced this. Thanks.

Lexie

Im sure theres nothing to worry about. I had a smear done last May and the results were not normal. I was diagnosed with CIN 1, which are lesions on the cervix. CIN 1 = Mild, CIN 2 = Moderate, CIN 3 = Severe. Anyways I went for a colposcopy in September to determine how bad it was and if there were any changes to the cells since May. Colposcopy = Staining and Small biopsopy of the Cervix. Vitually pain free, Just a few cramps. In Novenber my results came back and I had CIN 2. Started to worry a bit then. I then went on to have a LLETZ procedure, which removes parts of the cervix which has CIN 2. Virtually pain free too. So I rang the clinic last month for my results and Im clear. So the next step is a colposcopy again in 6 months to to make sure all is OK. So dont worry, apparently 1 in 10 are diagnosed with CIN. Not saying that this is what you have but it was the result of my abnormal smear. Chin Up. Demand some answers from your doctor.

cajun_tiger

there is also many small things that can cause mucous so dont worry, if there was something wrong you would have been told you just need a smer to be on the safe side. sure i got one done in the guide(to be sure ) and i was freaked out to bits for about 3 hours. they took the smer and the results were then checked by six different grades of doctors... and the nurse had been "keeping me informed" of the progress....

it turned out to be the problem i have with my womb, the first doctor hadn't been listening to me when he was taking the notes at the begining. i was asked to come into a room with consultants and asked if i knew of any problems that i may be suffering from that hadn't told them about. so i just rabbled off all i knew and they were like ooo aaa, and then went alright you can go.

so don't be too worried, plus doctors seem to love doing smers.....dont ask me why.
but anytime i go for a check up i always have to get a smer done just in case

dudara

I wouldn't be worried. When I had a smear done a few years ago, it came back from the lab unsatisfactory. The doctor bought me in for two more tests, eacht three months apart to doublecheck. She reassured me that it probably was nothing, more likely than not due to something going wrong in the lab. It turned out to be fine.

Just get a recheck.

LegacyUser

Still on the smear topic but just slightly off.

Was at the docs getting my perscription of the pill about 3 months ago.

Was asked if I ever had a smear, to which I replied no. She said they do them free now.

So I have to go back this week or next to get another pill perscription and I was thinking of also booking in for a smear...but the thought terrifies me.

Can you please tell me what is involved?

Thanks

cajun_tiger

Procedure
The sample for the test is taken by a doctor or nurse, who examines you internally. Sometimes this will involve you lying on your back, with your legs bent up and apart, and sometimes lying on your side with your legs bent up.

The doctor or nurse may examine you internally, with a hand, but the smear test involves inserting a plastic or metal instrument (speculum) into the vagina, which holds the walls of the vagina open, so that they can see the neck of the womb (cervix). A wooden or plastic device (spatula), which is usually little more than a specially shaped lolly/popsicle stick, and/or a specially shaped brush is then stroked round the opening in the neck of the womb.

You do not usually feel this, although the speculum may cause some discomfort, occasionally. The spatula or brush is left with some cells from the surface of the cervix attached to it. These are smeared on to a glass slide, which is treated with alcohol to preserve the cells, and sent off to a special cytology laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

simu

What fun!

But seriously, how would you go about doing this? Would you just turn up at any GPs and ask for a test or would you have to make an appointment with a gyneacologist?

cajun_tiger

thats the doctors words the instrument (speculum) looks like a ducks beak sometimes cold. and they sometimes use a swab like an ear bud instead of the spatula.

first time didn't hurt but was a bit uncomphortable due to pressure but its grand.

cajun_tiger

usually a gp will but if you want to get tested for sti/d's go to the guide hospital. a gyno isn't needed at all unless there are complications

LegacyUser

Thanks for that Cajun!

Do you HAVE to get one done? I mean ok, no arrest if you dont get one done but what are the benefits?

Also, how often do you need to get one done?

I am 25 and have been sexually active for about 4/5 years.

I dont want to sound weird and I am not saying this to be funny, it is a genuine fear, but I would be scared of getting, well you know, horny? That would be mortification. Am not a lesbian or anything.

LegacyUser

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. It's more the annoyance of having to go back every 6 weeks or so. I have a new appointment in 3 weeks and hopefully this one will come back satisfactory.

cajun_tiger

you should get it done because your sexualy active. Cancer of the neck of the womb (carcinoma of the cervix) is one of the commonest cancers affecting women. It causes a significant number of deaths each year.

It has been found that looking at a tiny number of the cells from the neck of the womb (cervix) allows us to predict those people who are likely to develop cancer later on. Looking at the cells in this way is called cervical cytology. The women most at risk of cancer of the cervix are those who are or have been sexually active, women between the ages of 25 and 65 are offered the opportunity of a cervical smear at regular intervals - three yearly between 25 and 49, and five yearly between 50 and 64.

If the smear is normal, the doctor will suggest you have a routine repeat after a length of time. Currently this is between three and five years . This seems reasonable, as the average length of time a typical cancer of the cervix takes to develop is 10 to 12 years.

If the result is abnormal, follow up will be sooner and your doctor will advise.

Do not get too anxious over inflamed or slightly abnormal smear results. The majority of these settle back to normal with little or no action. If we did not act on all of these, however, we would not be able to prevent cancer and save lives, which the screening system has been shown to do.

cajun_tiger

WHY SHOULD WOMEN HAVE THIS TEST?
Quite simply regular cervical smear tests could save your life. A smear test detects early changes in the neck of the womb. The earlier a change is found the easier it is to treat.

Remember the test will only take a few minutes, and that most women with a test result that is not normal do not have cancer of the cervix.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE YOUR CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?
The best time to attend for your cervical smear test is mid-cycle or about 2 weeks after your period (if you are having periods). How is a cervical smear test done?

The smear test is a very simple procedure taking less than five minutes. It may be slightly uncomfortable for a moment but should not be painful. You may lie on your side or on your back for the smear. The doctor or nurse will gently insert a speculum into your vagina to hold it open. The cervix is the area where the uterus (womb) opens into the top of the vagina. The doctor or nurse will use a small spatula or tiny special broom to gently remove a sample of cells from the cervix. The sample is sent to the laboratory to be checked.

dudara

It is uncomfortable having a doctor insert that speculum thing. It's not sore, but doesn't feel right. However, if you're sexually active or on the pill, it's something that you have to do.

My GP (here in UCC) does a quick external exam, then inserts the speculum, and takes the smear. It's all over in 5 mins at the most.

Simu, if you want to get one done here in UCC, ask for Dr. Catherine O'Riordan. Make an appointment to see her and she'll do it.

Sleepy

Whats it like? wrote:

Thanks for that Cajun!

Do you HAVE to get one done? I mean ok, no arrest if you dont get one done but what are the benefits?

Also, how often do you need to get one done?

I am 25 and have been sexually active for about 4/5 years.

I dont want to sound weird and I am not saying this to be funny, it is a genuine fear, but I would be scared of getting, well you know, horny? That would be mortification. Am not a lesbian or anything.

From the descriptions of any of my ex-girlfriends who had smear tests done, you needn't worry about getting horny during the exam. In fact, from what I've heard about the exam, if you get horny during it you've just discovered quite an unusual fetish in yourself!

vibrant

I put off the exam for years, and my doctor told me I just HAD to get it. I wasn't about to argue with him, so I had it done. It's a teeny bit uncomfortable, but it doesn't take more than three minutes. I was a wreck walking in, I was very nervous and I just wanted to get it over and done with!

Just make sure that the doctor knows that it's your first exam, and that you're nervous and they'll surely make you more comfortable. If your muscles are relaxed it's easier for them! And what's it like , there is nothing remotely erotic about the experience, don't worry!

And to worried , if you're not happy with your next test, I'd suggest you go to another GP or clinic to get tested. A second opinion never hurts.

simu

dudara wrote:

Simu, if you want to get one done here in UCC, ask for Dr. Catherine O'Riordan. Make an appointment to see her and she'll do it.

I'm actually in NUIG now but thanks for the advice anyway!

Another question: Is there an optimum stage of the menstrual cycle at which to get it done?

Beruthiel

simu wrote:

Another question: Is there an optimum stage of the menstrual cycle at which to get it done?

I believe it is half way between two periods

cajun_tiger

well i had one done and i was nearing the start of a new one(it actually started it off which was really embarrasing i think its at any time but for the best result beruthiel is right

vibrant

Exactly mid-cycle is best, but my doc assured me that as long as there is no bleeding, the smear can be carried out.

Victor

worried wrote:

In the past year I have had three cervical smears and none of them have come back satisfactory.

I take it that it is the result is unsatisfactory, i.e. not 100% all-clear, as opposed to the actual carrying out of the test.

Everybody needs to get tests done from time to time, especially from mid twenties on, when our bodies have stopped growing and can no longer take the abuse they could when we were 18. Unfortunately, in a way, this is also the first time in our lives that we also need to face hard facts of dealing with medical situations on our own, as opposed to with our parents. Not knowing the facts and probabilities (as opposed to possibilities) is usually the scariest part of any medical condition - our imaginations run wild.*

OK, there is a small risk there will be a result which won't be good, but I imagine catching anything there as early as possible is the best course.

The only major "consternation" I've heard of regarding smear tests, etc. is cold hands. Believe me, if you ever have piles, you will pray for cold hands.

* I remember being constipated age 12 and panicking I might be pregnant. I'm a bloke. :rolleyes:

LegacyUser

Yeah so I went for my first smear test yesterday and it was horrific and traumatic.

Wish Id never booked the damn thing.

Doc was lovely, very professional but yet friendly.

Was very relaxed. Stripped off, hopped up on the couch.

She showed me everything and explained it all. She then stuck it in. Fine. Then she went to get the cells from the cervix. Not fine. The pain was terrible. I was very distraught.

She then took out the "tool" she used and it was covered in blood. She then transferred "cells" to the slide except it was all sticky and gloopy. Awful.

She then told me she didnt think that they would be able to test it as there was too much blood. She told me I had an eroded Cervix.

Too much information and blood. Nearly passed out. So managed to get out of there, get in the car and go home. On the way home I had to stop the car a few times. Was getting cramps and was generally not feeling well. Could feel the pressure drop in my ears. Was awful.

Told myself to go home, have some chocolate to pump myself back up and then go for a nap.

bout 7 had to go to the toilet. Went in no probs, not thinking of anything - suddenly started panicing. Felt pressure drop again and fainted. Think I unconsciously started thinking of what happened. I also started to panic about what the doctor said.

She said I may have to go back for another one as there was too much blood on the first one. I feel as if I should, if im requested to, but I am terrified. I have never had anything happen to me like this before. Seems all so unreal. Even now thinking of it makes me feel dizzy.

simu

That's weird - it shouldn't hurt that much.

Still, think how much worse it would be to have cancer.

cajun_tiger

did it start you cycle off or something(this being why you where bleeding or some other reason??

well my cervix is tiny and under developed. its also tilted inwards and to the left and will have a perminant "infection" pressant non contagious ect... our bodys are odd..

if i could i'd give you a big hug, sounds like you went to to shock?

usually theres no bleeding unless your in your period...

LegacyUser

Thanks Cajun.

I think you were right there - went into some kind of shock. But its never happened to me before. I think I saw and heard too much and brain went "cant handle this!".

I am actually a little sore down there aswell today.

I got a major fright when I saw all the blood - was definately not expecting that.

I have 7 pills to go to get my period. Doc said I was at the perfect time to get it done (I did calculate it myself also-from reading boards! that that would be the best time).

I have no spotting or anything what so ever. Not yesterday after it or today.

I dread, absolutely dread that I have to get another one done - that this one wont do.

Victor

Was this with your GP or a gynaecologist?

You sound like you've had a bit often a trauma.

She told me I had an eroded Cervix

Did she explain what this meant?

cajun_tiger

i would blame you for dreading doing it again in all fairness, but we all have to go through things we dont like for our health....

i've had some really nasty internals and some would put you off.. but please be safe and keep yourself checked out.Maybe bring someone with you next time?

cajun_tiger

being the type of person i am i checked out via google what Cervical erosion.
the bleeding would be normal due to the erosion. it would also cause pain, this is probably why it was so sore.
from what i've read up on it, it seems to be quite common and somewhat cure-able.
best of luck pm me if you ever want to chat.

Cervical erosion is an area of the cervix where the cells are eroded away due to a variety of causes. Most people have a cervical eversion and incorrectly are told it is an erosion (older terminology). An eversion is like taking your lower lip, grasping it with yourthumb and forefinger and bending it down so the inside of the lip is visiblbe to you .... an area of some cells (from the lining of the cervix- endocervical cells) are just tilted out from its usual location.
Alternate Names : Cervical Ulceration

Definition
Cervical erosion is a partial or complete absence of the squamous epithelium (surface) of the cervix. The normal tissue on the surface of the cervix and/or around the os (mouth of the cervix), is replaced by inflamed tissue from within the cervical canal. This endocervical tissue is red and granular, so it gives the cervix a red, eroded, and infected appearance.

LegacyUser

Hi there,

It was my GP who did it. Very nice lady. Found her very good. Except for the pain.

Over the weekend and the past few days I think I have kind of forgotton the pain.

I dont feel dizzy etc when I think about it now.

Looked up on the net also about that eroded cervix - seems like some sort of an infection.

I had some thrush during the year, but I believe that it was something that "fermented" i.e I made it myself.