The Student Room Group

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
I believe the letters get sent out when you're 25 (I think it's recently changed)
Reply 2
Ah ok....I thought it would have been a bit earlier than that
The standard advice (according to the Tampax lady that came to our school) is to start about 2 years after you start being regularly sexual active, whenever that may be. If you haven't had one by the age of about 25, as Blissy said, they will contact you.
Reply 4
Hmm, well my doctor knows my sexual history (have been having sex for just over four years - blimey!) and I asked and he said I didn't need one yet (!?). I had one for other reasons, for my own concerns though, and I've had other examinations.
Reply 5
I think I will enquire when I got for my next jab then. Thankyou :biggrin:
my sister was telling me about them and they seem kinda scary :redface:
Reply 7
I asked my doc recently and he said that they don't do them until over 25, although he also said that it was a bit bad as it used to expose stds in teh process... so it may be worth just going to get checked for things like klamidiya... (i know i can't spell!)
Reply 8
gossip_girl
my sister was telling me about them and they seem kinda scary :redface:

They really aren't that bad. But it does vary from nurse to nurse.
blissy
They really aren't that bad. But it does vary from nurse to nurse.

maby im just scared about it really, it sounds very uncomfortable :frown:
Reply 10
ogs
I asked my doc recently and he said that they don't do them until over 25, although he also said that it was a bit bad as it used to expose stds in teh process... so it may be worth just going to get checked for things like klamidiya... (i know i can't spell!)

I think they test for different things during a smear and during an STI test. I don't think (don't wuote me on this) they test for chlamydia during a smear because I've had an STI test and it involves different things.

If you're concerned about STIs, have a specific STI test is my advice.:smile: (or even if you're not worried and just want one because you're starting/finishing a relationship or for your own peace of mind)
Reply 11
I'm strangely shaped (good to know) and mine hurt a bit but it was only sore for a day and its def worth doing in order to get the all clear.

You can get specifc STI tests too. They just do a swab so it isn't as awkward.
Reply 12
Smear test is for pre-cancer cells in the cervix, right?
Reply 13
Kavanne
Smear test is for pre-cancer cells in the cervix, right?


Yes - the reason they raised the age of the first one from 20 to 25 was that they were getting a lot of false positives in young women, causing unnecessary psychological and physical (unnecessary operations etc) trauma.
Reply 14
I've also heard that it varies from nurse to nurse. My mum refuses to be seen by a particular nurse beacause she was in so much pain after she did her smear and the results came back as inconclusive anyway. Apparently they're uncomfortable but don't hurt.
Everytime I've been to my gyno(every year for the past three years for my annual pelvic exam), she's taken one. And I'm only 19.
Reply 17
jessicarabbit
Everytime I've been to my gyno(every year for the past three years for my annual pelvic exam), she's taken one. And I'm only 19.


We don't have annual pelvic exams :confused:
Reply 18
Helenia
We don't have annual pelvic exams :confused:


We don't WANT annual pelvic exams :eek:
Reply 19
viviki

You can get specifc STI tests too. They just do a swab so it isn't as awkward.

DO you mean the STI tests aren't as awkward?
Because in an STI test they collect samples from outside, inside and *shudder* your urethra. Certainly awkward - not just a few pokes with a cotton bud on the ouside.