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How to deal with cervical screenings...

wormhaven_24

Hi. I'm new to this community so something like this may have already been discussed, but I am 25 and received the letter for cervical screening a few months ago. I have been terrified of the thought of it ever since I learned that it was something that is offered. 

With me, I have the following challenges due to being autistic: 

- Low pain tolerance

- Hypersensitivity to touch

- I am asexual/never been sexually active

I have watched videos about it on tiktok of people's experiences and they say it doesn't hurt, just feels a bit uncomfortable. I have difficulty with a lot of medical tests due to being hypersensitive to pain and having bad experiences in hospital in relation to this also. I did book one in but never went to it, and now I feel worried about trying to book another one. I wish there was a clinic I could go to, but no local ones do cervical tests. I have spoken to the GP about the process and asked questions but it didn't really help my anxiety. 

Does anyone have any advice on this? 

Parents

  • Have you considered self medicating with pain relief before the session? The stuff you buy over the counter can be used in combinations that gives a short term coverage in some cases.

    You really should speak to your GP for advice on how to use this safely as some can have nasty side effects if you take too much.

    For example I had a workplace injury last year but could not stay home (the joys of being self employed) and the doc told me to take a combination of 2 over the counter meds that was a higher than recommended dose so I could continue demolition work with a smashed finger.

    Don't try it yourself please - get advice tailored to your personal needs and bodys tolerances.

    It also should be a one-off and not repeated for a long time.

    You may also want to ask about a one-off anti-anxiety med for this situation so long as it won't interfere with test.

    My wife had these tests annualy for a very long time and she said the doctors gentleness was the single biggest factor. If they took their time and were gentle it was painless but if they were rushed it was less pleasant. She reported the pain was only while it was being touched by the sampler and there was little lasting discomfort.

    wormhaven_24 said:
    - I am asexual/never been sexually active

    I don't believe this is much of an factor in whether you need the test. The illnesses are not all caused by sexual activity.

    Once you have done the first one then the fear of the unknown will be gone and it will be up there in the category of a annual dentist checkup in terms of dread - something to be lived with for the sake of a better long term health.

  • in reply to Iain

    So I'm unclear on this, but I thought you can choose not to if you've not been sexually active at all previously (any sort of contact), as your risk is low. But I can't actually find that on the NHS site, so I would agree to check with your clinic.  Explain and they will be understanding and probably ask you a few questions I imagine.

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  • in reply to Iain

    So I'm unclear on this, but I thought you can choose not to if you've not been sexually active at all previously (any sort of contact), as your risk is low. But I can't actually find that on the NHS site, so I would agree to check with your clinic.  Explain and they will be understanding and probably ask you a few questions I imagine.

Children
  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    BUPA have a clearer explanation than the NHS I think:

    https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/smear-tests-faqs

    Do you need a smear test if you are not sexually active?

    It’s still a good idea to have cervical screening (a smear test) even if you’re not sexually active. 

    There is a bunch of other stuff that may not be suitable to post here but it is worth reading as it also includes advice about the discomfort question.

    I believe it is not mandatory but the risk of not doing it and having an issue later is something that will be hard to live with I suspect. It is still a personal decision though.