GUM Clinic

Having read the post about 'vaginal openings', it's made me think about going to a GUM clinic to have a check up. I very much doubt that I have anything, but I'd like to go just for the peace of mind. Perhaps drag my friend along too since she keeps going on about STDs lately and how our generation needs to be more careful!!

Can anyone offer advice on what to expect?

That's a brill attitude for the nurse to have.

I used to have one every year, along with my smear test. (Its more regular in Australia). Or, if I was in a relationship with someone and I was on the pill and we wanted to stop using condoms, we'd both get checked out. It made sense to do so.

I understand here it is such an effort to get an appointment at the GUM clinic and also at the docs - why is this?

mine wasn't so bad actually. if you've ever had a guy come in you,then they'll check the uterus and use the uncomfortable (bit not painful) thing to open you up. you'll be feeling awkward and want to laugh more than pain or anything. they'll ask a few questions,nothing to worry about. if you've never had sex they'll just take a sample from your vaginal opening,a quick swab is all. it'll be over in like 5mins and they'll give you your results in a week or less even. so don't worry

they check your cervix - thats the bit at the top of your vagina. you can feel your own cervix with your fingers (if you have the dexterity).
I say this because the uterus - your womb, is much further up. its a much more invasive procedure to go inside there, and is vvv rarely done on your age group - certainly never done for infection and std type stuff!!!

HTH
Cee

they went up into the uterus to check for chylamadia (sp?) or however it's spelt.she used the clamp thing with lube and all.

hang on. you mean she put in the speculum (the thing like a ducks beak) to open up the vagina. Then she used what looked like long pincers to grab hold of the cervix, pulled that, and then used the other hand to swab..?
or did she put in the speculum and then swab inside the cervix..?

Cee

i couldn't see but she used the speculum to open me up i don't know about the pincers but i don't remember feeling pincers...she swabbed though after she used the duck beak lol that's a nice name ...i can't remember but i don't think she used the pincers...probably only did the cervix...i can't remember...

lack of government investment in GUM services.

I certainly wouldn't advise smears every year. its a complete waste of time if you are normal on your last one. It'd only serve to make you anxious.
Like Body CTs - if everyone had one i could garauntee most of you would have some oddity or another.

Although i think its important people who are worried get checked up, i can understand where that nurse is coming from. there are plenty of people who have had high risk factors - they've had an unprotected one night stand, or found out their partner has been cheating on them unprotected etc. and these people are finding it hard to get GUM clinic appointments within 2 weeks. you can see why a worker in this area would roll their eyes somewhat at the worried well entering their doors.

Cee

Well, thats what we do in Aus. From the moment you are sexually active, you're advised to have a smear every year. What's the deal here - its like every 2 yrs?

you dont get smear tests in the uk till you're about 22 from about 20-something to 65 or something i can't remember coz that's when you're most likely to get cancers in your uterus and stuff.

cervix. smears are to prevent cancers of the cervix.
smears in the uk start at 23 or 25 (it used to be lower but went up recently).

cee

that's waht i said and meant.