Hello,

have you managed to get any further with your smear test? My results came back last week and they were fine thankfully.

Hello ah1,

Thank you for checking in on me - very kind of you. It's great to hear you have the all clear!

Good news this end too - I have finally had a successful cervical screening! I didn't end up going to hospital again. I went back to my GP surgery and asked for the nurse who successfully took a sample from me five years ago.

She was able to get the sample with little problem. She said the key was to use a tall speculum (which none of the previous health professionals had done). Apparently height and weight are very important so I thought I'd share this outcome here for anyone who might be in a similar position. If you're on the taller side - ask for a tall (but not large) speculum. 

The nurse was lovely, supportive and patient - and that's all any of us want! I got my results back today (3 weeks later) and all is fine which is reassuring after the trials and tribulations of just trying to get a sample!

I only hope more women from the LGBT community have the confidence to go for their smear tests - there is still a lot of ignorance out there.

Wishing you all the best for the future :)

Hi 

I am in a similar situation, I have had two failed attempts at smear test. The nurse has got as far as inserting the speculem, opening the instrument then aborting the test as she has been unseccesful at taking a sworn. I am not being referred to hospital. Please can someone advise me how a local aneastic works? 

I am petrified and I feel it’s taking over my life, but test is required for me to go ahead with my fertility treatments.

Thank you 

Sorry to hear your also going though this trouble. I also felt like it was taking over my life. A local is what I had, and I cannot remember a thing, they give you a little bit of “stuff” and then you basiclly go to sleep then do the smear but you don’t feel a single thing, or remember anything apart from them giving you the “stuff”. I totally recommend it if that’s your next option and to just simply get he smear test done. 

Thank you so much for your reply.

I have successfully managed to book a private appointment a clinic, who have agreed to do it under local aneastatic. 

Please can you let me know how the procedure works? Will I be able to feel any pain?

I feel like a failure. 

Thanks 

Hi, I got this test done today. I haven't had any sex with anyone, neither  with man and not with any woman. This was my first test. It was so painful. Nurse also was struggling to insert that plastic clip so she changed it and used a small one.  I also had bled during the test. She asked me if I was having too much pain she could stop it. But I said I'd bear that pain. Finally get that done but nurse wasn't sure if she got enough sample for test as It had blood with it. Now, I'm waiting for the result.

Hello Saas,

I'm very sorry to hear that your screening was painful and poorly dealt with. You are very brave to have persevered and got it done! If the cells aren't able to be properly examined, I would advise going back and having it done again. 
 

It took numerous attempts for me to have a successful screening but it was worth it in the end. The nurse who finally got it done, said that height and weight are very important. Apparently I needed a tall speculum, not a small one, and this allowed easier access to my cervix. And it hurt a lot less!

I hope you manage to get a result soon. Don't give up - it's important to have the test done and you are certainly not alone! 

The reason they can't find your cervix is that the GP offices are ill equipped to do those exams.  In the U.S. you are elevated and tilted in such a manner that the trained gynecologist has a clear shot to see your cervix.  The stories on these threads underscore how women are being shortchanged in the UK when it comes to gynecological health.  I have had multiple fertility treatments and tests completed and they were handled very well elsewhere, not by a GP. Please demand a specialist. 

I've had a similar story. I've only tried one smear test and can't bring myself to try again. The pain was unbearable and the awkward chat around sex with the nurse because I'm a lesbian left me feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I've since had numerous appointments to discuss my 'fear', even being given diazepam but still can't bring myself to try it again. The last discussion I had with a doctor I mentioned a general anaesthetic and she said 'pfft, seems a bit much for a smear'.

How is that supposed to make me feel?

I've now been referred to a Colposcopy team but I feel like they're going to just try again and I don't want that. I just want it done under anaesthetic, I'd even consider having a total hysterectomy. This is ruining my life, not to mention I lost my mum recently to Cancer and the fear and anxiety is heightened because of this. 

It isnt that I don't want a smear test done. It's that I can't tolerate it!