Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice r.e. cervical smears.

I had my first when I was 25, I found it excruciatingly painful but the nurse was wonderful and got me through it after I explained I suffer from vaginismus and don't typically cope well in medical settings (white coat hypertension with blood pressure readings also). I had my second a year later at 26, again excruciatingly painful but got through it.

I recently moved to a new city and, at 29, I'm due for my third. I had an appointment 3 months ago and...I couldn't manage it. There was a student present which I wasn't warned about in advance but felt I couldn't say no to. The nurse tried to shove the speculum up there while talking to the student about me like I was a slab of meat. My cervix is too high for a smaller speculum apparently. I haven't had sex in 3 years, which also can't help matters.

I got home from that appointment and cried for hours both due to the pain and embarrassment. 

Today I finally worked up the nerve to call my doctor's surgery to ask for advice - I'd like the exam done but I need it to be less painful. I've seen in other threads I may be able to get a referral to have it done under general anaesthetic in a hospital. However, they told me I'd need to ring back at 8am tomorrow for a cervical screening appointment tomorrow. I reiterated I don't want a cervical screening appointment, I want advice, but they said this could be done within the cervical screening appointment.

I'm feeling pretty let down by my new GP surgery. Is there any route to me getting this done under general anaesthetic without their input?

Many thanks in advance!!