DIY smear tests

I’d just like to correct a common misunderstanding. Cervical smears do not collect cells from the lining of the womb.

The procedure to collect uterine tissue is a hysteroscopy. I suffered an agonising outpatient hysteroscopy without sedation, anaesthetic or pain relief some time ago. It should never have been an option in my case but the gynaecologist just went ahead, collected a biopsy and removed a large fibroid, piece by agonising piece, with a rotating blade. Because of this I am no longer able to have smears. Any future procedures will need to be carried out under general anaesthetic.

I had my smear test done yesterday, it was terribly painful as the nurse first of all told me I had a prolapsed uterus(put the fear of death in me) Then proceeded for the next 20 minutes scrapping around inside. 30 minutes later she said she hoped the test would not come back void ! I then asked about the prolapse uterus (thought this needed following up) to be told , no she saw wrong. After all these years having faithfully my smears done, with know pain, after this one I will be hesitant next time.

I don’t think I’m bendy enough or have long enough arms!!?

That’s true granny I must admit I didn’t think about women who might have had their cervix removed. I hope all is well with your daughter now.

It does sound an odd way to say it. I suppose it’s allowing for the fact that not all women have a cervix and therefore won’t need screened. My daughter had a hysterectomy due to fibroids and had the option of keeping her cervix or having it removed along with her uterus. She decided to let it go as well. So now she doesn’t need to attend for screening.

Yes thank you grannynanny it says ‘screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix’. Who else has a cervix apart from a woman???

Anitae you can feel reassured by the fact that no abnormal cells are present.

Thank you grannynannywanny that's so helpful and explained so simply

Anitae it’s explained quite well on this NHS site if you want to have a read through it.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

I've just had results of a smear test and it says I have hpv but no abnormal cells. I have to have another smear test in a years time. The last smear was in 2015. It was clear then so I assume that I contracted hpv sometime in the last 6 years. Does anyone know anymore about this and all I'm thinking is I'm so glad I had the smear.

I had one a few years ago involving a speculum, I nearly shot through the roof with the pain ?‍♀️

JaneJudge ?

EllanVannin my granddaughter was given her hpv vaccination age 12 in last year of primary school. I think I’m correct saying the boys also receive it.

It made me laugh as he said, so will it stop me getting cervical cancer? and I said, I don't know, do you have a cervix and he thought about it for a second and laughed

EllanVannin

I would say that this is possibly necessary to those who remain sexually active.
Cervical cancers are now becoming common in younger women.
Are HPV vaccines still given to 16-18 year old schoolgirls ? I remember one of my GD's having a vaccination for this some years back.

yes and they have started giving them to boys, my son had one in January (he is 13, yr8)

Thanks Grannynanny that explains it! I commented to my DH that it was impossible for any woman to do a DIY smear test!

I would say that this is possibly necessary to those who remain sexually active.
Cervical cancers are now becoming common in younger women.
Are HPV vaccines still given to 16-18 year old schoolgirls ? I remember one of my GD's having a vaccination for this some years back.

From what I’ve read it’s a vaginal swab rather than the smear test we’re used to having. It’s a highly sensitive swab, like a long cotton bud, which detects abnormal cells anywhere in the vagina. The swab won’t be taken from the cervix.

In a traditional smear test a speculum is used to open up the vagina to give a clear view of the cervix at the top end of it. If the nurse doesn’t manage to brush cells specifically from the cervix the test is void.

This self test kit will be for a vaginal swab rather than a cervical smear so much simpler to do. The info I read said any woman who is able to use a tampon will find it simple to do.

Surely a man has come up with this solution? I am overdue too. They don't take cells from your cervix either, they check the health visually and see if there are any growths etc

They aren't actually smear tests as they have to be carried out by a nurse or doctor. It's apparently impossible to see your own cervix although I haven't looked! They are pre smear tests.

They're trialling them in certain areas of the UK with women who are overdue.
I'm over two years over due! I must get onto the GP...
Yes, I had an awfully painful one once. When I squealed the horrible nurse said nastily 'it's because your cervix is the wrong shape'.
I've since been told that there is nothing remarkable or incorrect about it all.

Actually it’s getting increasingly hard to bend enough to see what’s down there?

No thanks. The test has to reach the lining of the womb for collection of cells and in some women a speculum is needed.

I had to change positions several times before the Nurse could complete the task! How would you know if you had done it properly?

I found my last one really painful, not sure I could do it to myself either.