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Decline In Cervical Smear Tests Due To Painful Process?
posted by Margaret Hope on 01 Mar 2007 at 7:00 am
I am delaying having a cervical smear because the last time the nurse hurt me so much that I came away bleeding. The sample was inadequate and I had to return for a further appointment. The nurse hurt me again but then decided she still didn't have enough of a sample so I had to submit to a further sample being taken within a few minutes.
Would you believe she still thought she didn't have enough? This time I'd had enough, so wouldn't let her take another. Now I've moved to a different area, and though I'm 59, have been invited three years after the last smear.
I can't go through it again... maybe if this is a common experience it could explain the drop in smear tests.
I'm really annoyed that all invitations stress that the procedure is 'quick', 'simple', or 'painless'. Not in my opinion or experience!
Read the news article that this opinion was posted about:
UK Doctors Alarmed At Decline In Cervical Smear Tests
Painful Smear Test
posted by dcox on 04 Apr 2007 at 2:59 pm
I too have had a cervical smear test today which was painful and it is still painful now. I have had smear tests previously and none were painful. This experience today has definitely made me think I'll not have any further smear tests. This test was conducted by a nurse all previous were carried out by doctors. If I do have another test I will choose a doctor not a nurse. I am deterred and no longer confident in a 'painless' process. I did expect some discomfort but not pain.
Decline In Smear - Due To Pain
posted by Anon on 23 May 2007 at 8:30 am
I too was told this was a painless test! my god! I was left bleeding and was told that there wasn't sufficient cells, so I had to have a repeat 4 weeks later equally as painfull + much bleeding. I have read in a medical journal that ther isn't clear evidence that screening is beneficial and may be doing more harm than good. I'm certainly not advocating women not have this done - but repetitive tests surely can't be of any benefit.
Painful Smear Test
posted by denise on 08 July 2008 at 7:09 am
I dread having a smear test as they are really painful, today the nurse stopped halfway through hoping the pain may ease but it was still just as bad when she continued. Eventually she got another implement for taking the sample which was a different shape and that helped a bit, she said the results will take 12 weeks, I just really hope that they dont lose the sample.
Painful Smear Test
posted by Jenny on 22 July 2008 at 8:06 am
I had my first pap smear of sorts recently. It was very painful and I now have stabbing vaginal pain on urination. I have never had intercourse and explained this to the female gynaecologist, but she said that it was still advisable to do a pap smear, though she didn't explain why. I had a full bladder when she attempted to do it, as she also intended to do an external ultrasound for which a full bladder was necessary (I have fibroids and a retroflected uterus which she also wanted to check), but she wanted to do the pap smear first. She attempted to insert the speculum, but without success. It was very painful, especially as she pressed down towards the back passage. She then asked in a rather irritated tone if I had never actually had intercourse (hadn't she been listening?) She then attempted to insert a gloved finger: very painful again. Then she said she was going to take a "blind" sample, and shoved in the sampling stick as far as it would go. This was extremely painful.
I then got dressed, went to another examination room and she did an external ultrasound. Afterwards, when I had an even fuller bladder, she wanted to try an internal examination again. She implied that there could be something "wrong" with the configuration of the vagina because she had been unable to enter it before, that I might be tensing "unnaturally". Said that she had patients who suffered terrible "psychological problems" because of this and were unable to conceive naturally. I said that I felt perfectly fine (or at least I had until I met her!) and wasn't particularly anxious about the shape of the vagina, so declined the offer of another internal exam. I said that I maybe hadn't been able to relax completely because I had a full bladder and hadn't had the test before (and because I wasn't convinced of the need for it, though I didn't say that).
She then questioned why I hadn't ever had intercourse (implying that this was "abnormal"). I explained my reasons (wanted to wait until marriage) and said that since I hadn't experienced sex, didn't feel that I was missing anything. She didn't seem convinced!
I felt fine before I consulted her, but not afterwards. Big dose of pain and judgementalism.
Smear Test
posted by sarah on 18 Oct 2008 at 1:38 am
Hello I was just 17 when I had my first smear done.
I was so scared but the doctors that done it really helped me relax.
Although it is was very painful I would always go back to that doctor and get it done in that same place.
Opted Out of smear tests
posted by Sid on 19 July 2010 at 10:04 am
I have never had any infections or problems and do not have sex, so I have declined the last two requests for a smear test. In my personal experience, 99% of visits to doctors have ended up with them prescribing the wrong medication, the wrong (or completely unnecessary) treatments or the 'cures' have given me worse side effects than the problem I went in with.
I have avoided any doctor in the last two years and my health has been much better for it. Unless I am in serious pain or limbs are falling off, I will continue to take care of myself without the help of doctors! I can't see how having my insides scratched until I bleed can be a positive thing and will happily avoid it thank you very much!
Painful!!
posted by Laura on 26 Aug 2010 at 3:12 am
I am so annoyed and upset at how painful my last smear test was. I wasn't looking forward to it anyway as it is a bit embarrassing and uncomfortable but I psyched myself up for it knowing it wouldn't take long. The first and only previous time it was done by the nurse at university, it was fine, quick and just a little uncomfortable.
This time it was done by a doctor in a family planning centre and I thought they should be particularly good at this procedure, nothing to worry about.
It was AWFUL, I lay there in tears as she forced things in that hurt more and more, she moved the bed, moved me and kept trying again despite me flinching and crying in pain. She blamed it on my shape and was surprised that it wasn't like that last time.
I am dreading going again and consideering I am 26, I have got lots more to go. I will never go back to that medical centre again.
I am glad to see that I am not the only one, and also that this is not how it is meant to be!
Not The Only One
posted by Laura on 27 Sept 2010 at 12:12 pm
I always thought I was the only female in the whole world who finds smears excruciating! I haven't had one for four years and the last one although the best to date still had blood in it which makes it useless. I had a terrible experience years before when I felt I was being ripped in two in fact I nearly passed out with the pain. The woman who done it was rough, impatient and made me feel like a nuisance.
I have recently received my invite to go for a smear but.....not on your nelly!!! No chance, no way!!!!! I know how important they are and yes I worry that something may happen to me but whats the point? I bleed and it hurts like hell which brings me to who the hell said a smear is almost completely painless???? A man no doubt. Lastly I haven't had sex in sixteen years so surely there's not much need for one?
Smear Test = Legalised Torture
posted by anon on 09 Feb 2011 at 4:23 pm
I went for my smear test, dreading it as it is always painful, and the nurse couldn't do it. I came out of the doctors and cried. I am glad I am not the only one who finds this a tortuous experience. Because I am 55 and have vaginal dryness, this makes it harder to obtain a smear, but it was always difficult before anyway. I will NEVER have another one, the pain is just excruciating. Please can someone find an easier way to get a sample. What about a bit of numbing cream on the tip of the speculum! is it too much to ask!
Smear Test
posted by Amy on 09 Mar 2011 at 3:45 pm
I went for my smear test today and it was sooooooo painful!! I didn't thnk it would be but after reading all these comments it makes me feel better that many of you hve been through this. Me and my boyfriend have been trying to have sex for ages and it just doesn't happen it's because of me I tense up so much and my thighs get so tensed up that I'm not relaxed at all. I went today and the nurse used a large plastic instrument I was in so much pain so she said she would try with a smaller one luckily that went up but I was in agony but it wasn't good enough because she couldn't see clearly. I am not sexually active when I gt home I noticed that I had been bleeding does that mean I've lost my virginity because I haven't had sex before? I have to go for a smear test again but I don't think I can handle it. I'm 25.
Smear Tests
posted by Karen Hodgson on 11 Sept 2011 at 4:56 pm
Right, will try again as somehow my almost completed response has just got lost. I had my first one in 1984, at the age of 17, a virgin. Not sure why my GP at the time insisted I had it done, I had no idea what to expect, there was no information, as this was before the national screening programme. It was so painful, the way they did them in those days, I was facing the wall, on my side, so couldn’t see what was happening, or who was talking (they were talking about me like I wasn’t there, except when the doctor told me off for crying). ‘It’s only uncomfortable, not painful’…if this happened to me today I would offer to insert the speculum up his backside and see if he thought that was ‘uncomfortable’!!
Mostly since then, they have been not too bad, despite leaving it 6 years to pluck up the courage to go and have another one done after my first one, this was now 1990, 2 years into national screening and they started at age 20 then.
The one I had done 2 years ago was painful, also the 2 I have had to have done this year (due to the first one being inadequate). I have them every 2 years because we self-pay for things like that, in particular because the nurses at my doctor’s surgery are extremely rough at doing smear tests.
Sound reason for decline?
posted by niki on 23 Sept 2011 at 2:01 am
Perhaps women are deciding not to test because they are doing the research, rather than they are "embarrassed" or "too busy". The pap smear test is notoriously unrealiable especially for younger women. When I was younger I was not given any information about pap smears- just told I had to have them if I wanted the pill- a despicable way to treat an adult.
Now that I have the information from peer reviewed Medical journals I realise that risks outweigh the benefits, I'll pass.
No More Smear Tests For Me
posted by jo on 27 Sept 2011 at 11:58 am
i went for my smear test today,i have never had so much pain and yes ive had a smear test before ,but this was awful...i nearly punched the nurse,she said oh ive hit your cervix and you are bleeding,i asked for a pad but she told me to wipe myself with the tissue that i had been lying on...never again..i thought well my mother is 90 and she never had a smear and she is ok ,so i will take a chance and forget the smears,unless they come up with a painless way.p.s. i still hurt inside hours later.
Painful Smear
posted by Mia on 27 Sept 2011 at 12:57 pm
I have had my smears regularly and although they've been slightly unpleasant and uncomfortable, they never hurt up until my most recent one a few years ago where I found the pain excrutiating. The nurse used a speculum which was too large and then left it inside me while she went to another room to fetch a smaller one. I sobbed throughout the examination because of the pain and afterwards I bled loads and was in pain when going to the toilet or just sitting down. After all this I received a letter to say that they did not have enough cells to give me any results and invited me to go back for another one. Needless to say I have not been for once since. I truly believe it is solely down to the ability of the nurse who gives the smear as I know they are not usually painful but I am now so terrified that I daren't go back which is a shame as I know they are important.
Is Smear Test Pain Inevitable?
posted by Sue on 18 Oct 2011 at 6:35 am
I'm nearly 60 and have never had problems with smear tests, although of course they can be VERY unconfortable.
But a few weeks ago I went to the nurse at my local GP practice for a smear test and it was excrutiating.
She said this was because of dryness etc and referred me to the GP's Gynaecological "expert". She advised that the GP would probably prescribe hormone treatment for just a few weeks before trying again.
I practice Tai Chi and know all about relaxing and breathing (in fact a dentist once thought I had passed out because I wasn't feeling any pain!)
Nonetheless, the GP did a gentle internal exam and it was very sore and painful. Although she said she could prescribe something which might help, she then said the best thing to do was to "get through the pain, however bad" so that we could "get it over and done with".
As she had mentioned some other treatment, I asked wouldn't it be better to try this first before putting me through more pain which might be unnecessary, and she still advised that I should "close my eyes and get through the pain barrier".
I then insisted that if there was an alternative to the pain she should try the treatment first. Even if it wasn't entirely successful it would at least be better than inflicting pain unnecessarily.
She made me feel as if I was a nuisance not letting her get on with.
I have pessaries now for 2 weeks and will hope that this helps, for I have no faith in someone who simply believes that even severe pain in smear testing is to be expected and we should just grin and bear it.
My daughter had similar problems and the nurse stopped as soon as it was clear that it was so painful and has now put on her notes that she should in future be recalled directly to the hospital instead.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the advice given to me could be more about cost of prescriptions/hospital visits than it was about real patient care.
Anyone else suffered similarly by a doctor?
Anyone know how this meets with professional standards?
Pain
posted by Rosie on 20 Dec 2011 at 12:15 pm
I had my first smear 3 mths ago. It was so painful I was crying. It also made me feel really sick when she was taking the sample, I actually started gagging, to which the nurse simply told me to stop moving or she would have to start again.
When I got the results, to my horror, the nurse had not taken enough cells and my sample could not be processed - I cried when I got this letter.
I have been re-called and went to see my doctor to discuss my options, he asked me if I was sexually active (I am) and he told me it was unheard of for sexually active women to have issues with smear tests. He then proceeded to lecture me on why I have to have one (despite my risk of cervical cancer being very low - only one sexual partner for my hole
Life, non smoker etc) he just looked at me like I was an idiot.
When I refused to re-book he said there would be a warning on my file and every doctor who saw me from now on would be telling me to get a smear.
I'm so upset by the whole thing I want to switch GP and never have a smear again!
I'm so glad I read this blog, the doctor made mr feel like I was a total freak but after reading this I feel like I'm not alone
Painful Smear
posted by Cath on 21 Dec 2011 at 2:05 am
Well I had an interesting day. I've been having regular smears since I was 16 - I'm now 42. Today was the first time I'd gone to the nurse - my doctor was away. I've never had any trouble - they've always been slow, careful, explicit about what they're doing. See where we're going here? She knew I'd recently been to a gyno for interior pain, but I don't know why she bothered asking. No lubricant, no manipulating the 'duck bill' to find the best angle, just aim and shove. I swear that woman was trying to drive a concrete truck into my uterus. I had significant bleeding, and I was yelling (most undecorous!) at times during the procedure. Silly b1tch wouldn't stop or slow it down a bit. She won't have got good cells due to the blood, and I won't be going back to her, so I guess I'll just wait till my doc comes back. (Or send in the husband - he wants to slap the woman). I am shocked at how many of us find this painful, and convinced that it is almost entirely the fault of the person doing the procedure. For those of you who want to continue having smears, please be assured that there ARE people who can do this to you with a minimum of discomfort - if they're not willing to take the time, take your business elsewhere.
Answers - cervical smear tests
posted by Karen Hodgson on 30 Dec 2011 at 5:03 am
I actually decided to see if there was any reason why I hurt so much after having the 2 smear tests done this year, which I had done at a private hospital, as mentioned before. So I went to my GP, as the hospital sent a copy of the result to her, to ask if there could be some underlying reason - when I'd had one in 2006, done by the practice nurse (which was very painful, she tried twice, and then I had to have another 2 attempts done by my GP) there was an underlying reason which was eventually picked up on the 3rd attempt - hah! Waste of time - "I don't know why", and "they would normally mention if there was any problem of note", and essentially she tried to blackmail me into having my smear test done on the NHS again (or the implication was that she would not give me anything that would possibly help prevent it being so painful) because she doesn't agree with patients exercising the choice, where they have it, to opt out of NHS treatment.
Inaccuracies
posted by Nicole on 01 Jan 2012 at 1:05 am
A lot in that article is inaccurate. Angela Raffle said in her book on screening that the success of pap smears has been overstated because of statistical errors and the rate of cervical cancer was dropping before pap smears were introduced anyway.
The statement: "And the group most likely to have abnormal findings is the 25 to 29 age group" is misleading scaremongering. Abnormal does not mean it will progress to cervical cancer. Finland and other European countries do not introduce screening until the age of 30 because they know that screening does not help this group. They are most likely to have false postives which will lead to unnecessary treatments. I read a study somewhere that screening has not brought down the death rate of cervical cancer for the under 30s in any country.
Why not adopt Self HPV testing? That would solve the problem of women who find pap smears invasive and embarrasing and it would then allow those who are not HPV postive to forgo pap smears unless they change partners. Instead of forcing women to undergo a degrading and sometimes painful test the medical profession should show some respect and empathy and fix the problem, not try to force women to comply.
Never Again!!!
posted by Michelle on 11 Jan 2012 at 3:37 am
I'm so relieved to find that I’m not alone about having painful cervical smear tests. I've just got home from the GP surgery after going through 2 very painful attempts to do my smear test by the practice nurse. I was in excruciating pain throughout both attempts to collect cells by the nurse. My cries of discomfort were according to the nurse not a typical response from her patients. Now after reading through all the comments of others, I’m convinced she was lying. I am 52 years old with a history of normal smear results. My experience today was so painful. It has put me off for life. Never again!!
Very Concerned About Care
posted by susan on 02 Feb 2012 at 9:09 am
I have just been to the doctors for a smear test that was 1 year overdue, I went to the doctors weeks before as intercourse has been very painful for some time ,so she prescribed a course of vagifem which i have used I am 58 years of age post menopausal and also had two cesearian sections, so i went along to the nurse, told her I had been having problems, she never once asked me any questions about childbirth or anything like that, god knows how big this speculum was but it was going nowhere, she said it me not relaxing , I have had smear tests all my life and apart from being uncomfortable they have never been this painful, the nurse was very unsympathetic and gave me another prescription for vagifem and told me to make an appointment to see the doctor as there was nothing she could do, so depsite the tears i found her to be a very uncaring nurse. This has totally put me off bothering to make an appointment with the doctor as I am not prepared to be bullied by a nurse who in my opinion could'nt have cared less, there must be different size speculums they can use and maybe at my age and post menopausal she should have tried smaller one, I dont know, but it has totally put me off I am annoyed and angry about the care i received.
Pain-free Smear Test
posted by Maude on 03 Feb 2012 at 7:17 am
I, too, experienced pain during smear tests for years. But then I was told that this could be due to my having an inverted cervix. I now tell the nurse examining me to use a long speculum, not a regular one. The test is now TOTALLY pain-free.
Painful Pap Smear
posted by Susanne on 05 Feb 2012 at 4:37 am
I am amazed at all the women who have painful Pap smears when I thought it was only me. I too have had a very painful pap smear a couple of years ago with an ordinary GP and am not sure I will go for another. Previously I had been going to my gynaecologist for 30 years and never had pain. I just don't understand why but it has given me some comfort (althought unfortunate) to hear others have same experience. Disappointed and angry with nurses and GP's who should be better trained.
Painful Smear Test.
posted by Ros on 08 Feb 2012 at 2:57 am
I have just read the comments on this procedure and am so relieved that I am not the only one to have experienced a problem. I have had smear tests regularly through adulthood and am now 62. Last year I went for a routine smear test. the nurse told me it was likely to be painful as I was past the menapause. I thought I had been past the menapause for the last one I had, and that though uncomfortable,it had been ok. However as she started I could tell that there was no lubricant on the speculum and when I commented she told me that this compromised the result. I felt that the angle of entry was wrong but the procedure went on and it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I think I have a pretty good pain threshold, no pain relief with birth of second child and very little except homeopathic remedies after a mastectomy and an endososcopy without sedation. So I though I was practically in tears I thought I must be getting weak and feeble! It went on hurting for several days after.As it was such a different experience I wonder if the procedure has been changed and if so was it properly monitored as it would seem counter-productive to put off so many people from having it done. I dread being called for another!
INCREDIBLE PAIN!!!!!!
posted by Kama on 09 Feb 2012 at 7:35 am
Hello!
First of all sorry for my english but i am from Poland.
I was on cervix test (cytology) one month ago and it was painfull (but not so much) and only a little bledding. But after it i felt pain inside my stomach but i didnt thought its effect after test. After one month pain was reduced.
But i got HPV probably symptoms so i must goes for HPV test.
First test was take a lot of money and... Doctor read instruction before do it. I thought.... what the hell??!!! I didnt felt nothing when she take it- i guess she take it not from cervix but from deep vagina place-anyway test shows "not HPV". But also i heard if symtoms are in vagina lips she sholud not take it from cerivx but from vagina lips-from infected skin.
Well so i goes for HPV test again to great CLinic Family plannig Centre(the same place where was take was take my cervix test).
And this time-i thought i will die with pain!!!!!!!!!!!! (Also before test i told to doctor to take test not only from cervix but also from vagina lips she said of course-but she didnt) I was scream wtih pain!!!!!Before take test she warned me "It can be painfull you can say rude words"she a little jokeing. She told HPV test is more painfull than just cevix normal test.She need rotate brush etc.
But i ddint thought it will so HORROR. After it i felt pain in stomach- but this time clearly in parts where is cervix.I felt pain even when i breath deeply.So now i conclude "well last pain of my stomach area was effect of cervix test" Now is third day after test and it still so painfull!!! I fell it when i sit, when lay, when walk!I dont know whats going on!!!! Most of You said about pain while test was made but not after. Only Ros said she had it for several days. Its really big pain now.
I am not going to next test- atleast i had brush in cervix 3 times in short time(1cervix test+2Hpv tests).
I hope my cervix is not hurted!!!!
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