Smear fear
Question
I have had five smear tests and every single one has come back as inadequate. What does this mean, and should I be concerned?
Answer
Inadequate or unsatisfactory smears mean that the sample of cells taken during the test wasn't good enough to provide conclusive results. According to Colposcopy UK five to ten percent of all smears may be inadequate or unsatisfactory, usually because there are not enough cells on the slide for a comprehensive report.
Inadequate test results can also be caused by too much blood or mucus being present in the sample. This is normally the case if the smear is taken near to a period.
The cells in the sample can also be obscured by white blood or inflammatory cells which indicate a reaction to an infection in the body. Sometimes this infection may have to be treated with antibiotics before the smear test can be repeated.
If you are still concerned about your test results it might be an idea to speak to your doctor (GP). They should be able to reassure you regarding the cause of the unsatisfactory results and perhaps suggest a course of action.
Updated: 13/09/2006
Question answered by bss
