When will self-test DIY smear kits become availiable?
Posted , 6 users are following.
[b:2d91f6a4cf]I turned 25 a few months ago and got that lovely letter from the NHS inviting me for my smear test.
Trouble is, and this may very well sound pathetic, but I am absolutely terrorfied of it. Everytime I think of phoning up and booking an appointment, I break done in tears. Nobody, not even my boyfriend, see's me 'down there' and I just can't walk into the doctors surgery and whip my clothes off in full light for a stranger. The thought of laying there exposing myself like that makes me feel sick. Does anyone else get so scared about it they have never been? Do the people who manage to pluck up the courage do things like shave and trim and spray perfume etc etc beforehand?
I am worried that if I go, I will suffer mentally. Most people will turn around and say 'well would you rather get cancer then?' and that is really not the issue. Of course I don't want cancer, and yes - I do realise how pathetiic I sound, believe me!!
So, does anyone know when these home DIY test kits are supposed to be coming out? I would have no issues in using one and I think they would be a huge success.
I can't go for a smear test, but I would gladly do it myself.[/b:2d91f6a4cf]
0 likes, 12 replies
Guest
Posted
ps before you go have a quick wash down there and put on a clean pair of knickers and yes I did have trim (it all boosts the confidence lol)
Guest
Posted
bring on diy tests
[quote:dc18bdfbbf=\"Luna \"][b:dc18bdfbbf]I turned 25 a few months ago and got that lovely letter from the NHS inviting me for my smear test.
Trouble is, and this may very well sound pathetic, but I am absolutely terrorfied of it. Everytime I think of phoning up and booking an appointment, I break done in tears. Nobody, not even my boyfriend, see's me 'down there' and I just can't walk into the doctors surgery and whip my clothes off in full light for a stranger. The thought of laying there exposing myself like that makes me feel sick. Does anyone else get so scared about it they have never been? Do the people who manage to pluck up the courage do things like shave and trim and spray perfume etc etc beforehand?
I am worried that if I go, I will suffer mentally. Most people will turn around and say 'well would you rather get cancer then?' and that is really not the issue. Of course I don't want cancer, and yes - I do realise how pathetiic I sound, believe me!!
So, does anyone know when these home DIY test kits are supposed to be coming out? I would have no issues in using one and I think they would be a huge success.
I can't go for a smear test, but I would gladly do it myself.[/b:dc18bdfbbf][/quote:dc18bdfbbf]
Guest
Posted
Don't worry you're not alone...far from it! I was abused in my pre-teens and had to checked out after that, very much against my will. The test did come back abnormal, i'm now 29 and i've never had it followed up! I'm really worried about this but i found the first one so uncomfortable that i just can't make myself do it. The actual procedure wasn't uncomfortable...aside from them using COLD metal impliments.....it was just the exposure i found unbearable!
The sooner they bring the DIY version the better!
JJ
Posted
I did contact someone who is trying to bring the diy kit to the market in the uk and she replied to me saying this:
\"We are still working on the kit and will be doing clinical trials in the not too distant future. Unfortunately medical products take a long time to bring to market! I will let you know as soon as the kit is commercially available\"
atleast it will hopefully be available for us soon!
[/b:4ef9fa431a] :D
Guest
Posted
Guest
Posted
The nurse started chatting nineteen to the dozen about random stuff as soon as I got in there. At first I felt: please be quiet, I need to psych myself up for this but actually it was probably really gd as no time for last min fears.
I got a screen to go behind to take my underwear off and then just lay on the bed with my skirt still on. Then when you're ready the nurse comes and sit by your feet and tells you how to lie.
It really wasn't that bad. Apparently mine was tricky- I was told I have a tilted cervix which makes it awkward but it still didn't take very long. It was a bit uncomfortable at points but not really painfully and as soon as it was done I wouldn't have known I'd had it done.
I never saw what she was doing but I think she used a little plastic thing. I had this horrible image in my head of some big metal thing beforehand. So not that bad.
I think if you're scared to go talk to friends who have had it done (my mate had her 1st smear a week ago so told me all about it). Chances are they felt nervous too and will reassure you.
Wear a bit skirt. You can then keep it on throughout. This really helped me feel less naked somehow.
Talk to your doc/nurse and explain your fears. They can probably set your mind at ease e.g. maybe they can show you instrument, talk you through it in advance. maybe you can arrange to give it a go on the basis that if you really can't handle it you can stop part way through?
Make sure whoeever is going to do it is sympathetic and understands your fears then you will feel much more confident.
The way I think of it is that if I got cancer I'd regret not going. So I forced myself and it was actually 100 times better than I thought.
When you have booked the appointment don't think about it -just make yourself go there on autopilot. I had a 9am one which was gd as no time for cold feet.
Guest
Posted
I know exactly how you feel. I'm 28 and I know I should go and it's for the best, I just can't bring myself around to it. I hadn't been to see the Dr in 6 years because every time I went they brought it up. But recently I had to go because I was suffering with anxiety issues. I dreaded the Dr bringing it up but she never, but when I went to get a blood test, the nurse brought it up and she wasn't nice about it either and was very patronising and I felt like a child. So that's put me off again, incase I get her! I didn't get her name unfortunately, as if I did get the courage to book one I would request not to have her.
All the Doctors treat it as 'no big deal' but for me it is a huge deal and the thought of stipping down naked and being 'probed' down there gets me in a panic. I can't even get tampons in because I tense too much and sex is very painful and that's with my husband who I trust..so having a complete stranger down there inserting something in me is a big no no. As I would just tense up and they wouldn't get it in and I'd be so humiliated!
If they go on about how important it is to have these tests, why don't they think of alternatives for women that are really anxious? Like the home test kit that you suggested. I read about that and think it's a fantastic idea and it doesn't look that bad either! I think if they brought those out, then every woman would have a smear and they wouldn't have to chase people up.
Guest
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mhaxim
Posted
ali.20
Posted
xxbunnyxx
Posted
This is the current test I have found, there was another one about 6 months ago I found online which was£99 but I can't find it any more, so ladies try this one, not tried it yet you could order yours or wait for me to report back but their not expensive to try yourself. xxxx
wendywoo22
Posted
what every one has said on here its really not as bad as you think. I have to have one every few months now as one lady said they are very good and will explain everything to you and the nurse who did mind on thursday of last week understood how bad i felt.
She told me to undress behind the curtains and lay on the couch i was wearing leggins that day so she gave me some paper towel sheet to cover me and when i was ready she came through it takes no more than a minute it is not painful but can be a little uncomfortable but i know its really hard but if you can relax just a little it does help. She will put a spectrum in just to open the cervix and then use like a very large cotton bud to wipe a round he cervix then its alld one she will take the spectrum out and leave you to get dressed again. no one will walk in while shes doing it as they put a do not distrub notice on the door. Please dont leave it as long as i did its really worth having done for the matter of a few seconds and that really is all it takes honestly. Wendy