to remind you all to go and get your smear tests done if they are due or overdue!

[RedCrimson]

8 years ago I had severe dyskaryosis (pre cancerous cells) and was bloody lucky I got it all taken away when I did.

I went for my yearly smear today and the nurse was new to cytology and I was the first smear she's ever done (supervised by my usual nurse).

So I just want to remind you to get yours done if it's due. I very much doubt I'd be here now if I hadn't have gotten the treatment when I did.

[DustyCropHopper]

I need to book mine, had a letter a couple of weeks ago.

[Keithyoustink]

Thanks for the reminder - I couldn't have my smear done earlier this year and had forgotten to re-book.

[ollieplimsoles]

Bump

thanks for the reminder op, glad you had a lucky escape

I had my first when I was 25 and loads of my friends ignored their letters and still haven't had it done two years later..

[Littlepeople12345]

I'm 32 and I've never had one. I am absolutely fucking terrified

[KamMum]

I'm going to book mine tomorrow

[RedCrimson]

Don't be terrified, it doesn't hurt. It's not pleasant, but it's over and done with in less than 2 minutes. It takes no time at all. And the nurses really put you at ease. They know it's not nice, they have them too, so they are very aware of how you are feeling.

Book one. Once it's done you'll feel better.

[Osirus]

It really doesn't hurt and doesn't take long. It's over very quickly and no one likes going. It's a relief when it's over. You can ask for the smallest speculum if necessary, which may help put you at ease. The alternative is much worse than a quick test I think!

[LaContessaDiPlump]

Thank you for the reminder! It turns out that I was 4 days pregnant with DS2 when I got my last one (discovered this subsequently, obvs) and he is now 3.11 so I'm well overdue!!

[ToadsJustFellFromTheSky]

YANBU to ask.

[chanice]

Im too young. I have been to my Drs and asked because my sister had abnormal cells, but they keep saying no.

[eachtigertires]

At what age are you supposed to start having them?

[chanice]

25 I think.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Of course you're not being unreasonable and wish I could get one done, but. Last time I had one almost 19 years ago. I just clammed up and sobbed all the way though. I don't know how they managed to take the swab. I think I must have vaginismus. I'm fine having sex, but foreign bodies eg scaples and tampons. Shudders. It makes me feel inferior tbh. It seems everyone else can just jump up on the examination table and lay back and think of England, but I couldn't.

[steff13]

I've had one every year since I was 18. Now they're saying every three years. I just got a text from my gynecologist's office reminding me it's time for my annual exam.

[Jenijena]

I'm 34 and have never had a smear test. But I've got one booked for Thursday. Having had a prolapse emerge after DS was born 9 weeks ago I figure I need to suck it up and get used to people looking there.

Aside from that, I have considered my risks (DH and I were virgins when we got together). And I found Germaibe Greer very interesting on he subject of smear tests but... I'm doing it...

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Don't be terrified, it doesn't hurt. It's not pleasant, but it's over and done with in less than 2 minutes
Hmmmmm all mine were terrible cause of the way my cervix is and the stupid nurse cutting a piece of me rather than just swabbing! There s always some sort of pain and bleeding and me ending up swearing I'm not doing it again
However YANBU and since I haven't been for 5 years thanks for the reminder! Still can't bring myself to do it!

[Baconyum]

Littlepeople please go. I went with a friend who was scared/nervous many years ago. I didnt see anything untoward but was still able to hold her hand. She was fine and realised it had all built up in her mind - she'd had a natural birth too so not like she was some one without any experience of discomfort there.

Vaginismus is far more complex though, iliveinalighthouse I hope you get the appropriate help soon.

Those that are 'too young' (was nothing learnt from Jade Goody and others?) please either insist or go private if you can.

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

I'm not going to book my smear test. I'm 27 with 2 kids and beyond depression. I kind of hope that I have cervical cancer just so I have an easy way out of my.life. I love my boys but they'll be taken care if wonderfully when I'm gone.

[Mommawoo]

charlie thats so sad, why do you feel that way?

[Candypops14]

I put mine of for a few years as was terrified, I finally went and honestly it wasn't bad at all, it didn't hurt and was over so quickly. The thinking about having it done is far worse then actually having done.

[ProseccoMadeMeDoIt]

I was due one back in December and have been putting it off, this has prompted me to book one today!

[WeAreEternal]

It's great that you are all happy with your decisions and are comfortable with the test...
But... Not everyone agrees that smear tests are a good thing or prevent anything and some even believe that the tests themselves can cause 'abnormal' cell growth.
So these threads telling everyone to go get one irritate me somewhat, it's a personal choice which women should be able to make a fully informed decision about, rather than the scare tactics and bullying attitude most GPs surgeries take to meet their quota.

Charlie I'm going to PM you.

[CopperPot]

I tried to book one the other week as I have birth 5 months ago and hadn't had one since 2013 but the receptionist wouldn't let me. I have to wait for a letter to come apparently I've only been at that surgery a year so not sure how they would know I was due one

[acatcalledjohn]

WeAreEternal has an interesting point. I don't think they are necessary, given the low result. We may as well start giving everyone full body scans and blood tests every other year to check for various forms of cancer. I also think 25 is too young given the still common hormonal changes at that age, leading to more false positives.

The above reasons meant I put mine off for 5 years. I did go eventually, but only prompted by an out of character one off bleed mid cycle. I still don't know whether I'll be going regularly, even though it was fine.