I went for my first smear test (at a Salford Health Matters site). I've just turned 30 and told the nurse I have put off making the appointment as I was extremely nervous and uncomfortable about it.
I was told that they only had 'Medium' equipment. The nurse place me in the position to take the smear test. I was very uncomfortable and the nurse struggled getting the swab. As she was struggling she asked when I last slept with a man. I had to tell her I was gay as she was doing this. She continued asking if I had ever been with a man. In pain now I had to answer her questions (I found out later was not relevant and I felt they were inappropriate questions).
The nurse told me she had contaminated the swab as she had made me bleed and that I would probably have to come back.
Overall it was a traumatic experience for me and re confirmed my fears and experiences of the NHS of being completely ignorant to the possibility of having a gay patient - and meeting their needs.
I'm not alone, I know of a lot of gay girls who have told me they avoid the doctors because of being pushed to talk about their sex life and offered condoms automatically.
"Being gay and getting the smear test"
About: Salford PCT Salford PCT Salford M6 5FW
Posted by Being gay and going to the doctors (as ),
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