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Smear Tests

clairey87

When do you need to start having Smears?

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Reply 1

blissy

I believe the letters get sent out when you're 25 (I think it's recently changed)

Reply 2

clairey87

Ah ok....I thought it would have been a bit earlier than that

Reply 3

Feefifofum

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

blissy

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

clairey87

I think I will enquire when I got for my next jab then. Thankyou :biggrin:

Reply 6

pink_lucie

my sister was telling me about them and they seem kinda scary :redface:

Reply 7

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!)

Reply 8

blissy

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.

Reply 9

pink_lucie

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

blissy

ogs

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

viviki

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

Talya

Smear test is for pre-cancer cells in the cervix, right?

Reply 13

Helenia

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

clairey87

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.

Reply 15

Trousers

http://thestudentroom.co.uk/t115704.html

Reply 16

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.

Reply 17

Helenia

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

Talya

Helenia

We don't have annual pelvic exams :confused:

We don't WANT annual pelvic exams :eek:

Reply 19

blissy

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.