To remind you to look after your cervix (cervices?!)

[FourForYouGlenCoco]

I know it's been done plenty of times, but one more won't hurt, right?
So long story short:
Went for (overdue) first smear last year, after DC2 was born. Borderline changes & HPV - sent for colposcopy, they went for 'watch and wait' and asked me to come back in 6 months.
Went back, severe dyskaryosis/CIN III. Back again a few weeks later for lletz under local.

The hospital is an hour+ away. The logistics of it all, organising someone to take DC1 to/from school, trekking baby DC2 back and forth with me - not fun. But I am so so relieved I didn't put it off, so relieved I didn't just assume everything would be alright. In the 6 months between colposcopies, cell changes happened really fast. If I'd left it...who knows?
The lletz was really not that bad either - I was very apprehensive beforehand but it was maybe 5 minutes and done. Minimal pain, minimal bleeding afterwards, and definitely a damn sight better than cervical cancer.

So please, please, PLEASE book your smear if it's due or overdue. Go to your appt, don't bury your head in the sand, don't put it off. I know it's not how you'd choose to spend an hour, but it's really not that bad. And it's so fucking important. So do it.

Can't believe anyone would say someone is unreasonable for this. What fucking planet do you live on!

Agree 100%! Thank you op, great advice. No one is obliged to take the advice! But for those who do, lives can be saved.

To posters re: HPV - smear tests now also test for HPV. If there are cell changes along with HPV, you are invited to colposcopy clinic.

My last smear test showed I am infected with high risk HPV- my lifetime risk of cervical cancer is now much higher and I'll now have yearly smears.

Personally, I'd happily go once a month if it meant vastly reducing the risk of dying of cervical cancer.

QueenNeferitty I am pleased that is the case. They should make that clear though because my letters (I do go for smears) just say 'no abnormalities'- nothing about HPV testing. Also, there are less invasive ways to test for HPV for those who find the process traumatic.

I am very pleased that they are monitoring you though.

@papafran

I'm not sure if they test for HPV in all samples, or just those with cell changes ... but either way, they've been very hot on it, and I'm grateful.

Yes but if there's a less invasive way to test why shouldn't it be offered? Each woman has to weigh up her own risk. At 53 and confidently monogamous for past 30 years with 1 partner before I'm extremely unlikely to have HPV. Menopausal women can throw up false positives however and can also find the process agonisingly painful. Not every woman wishes to use oestrogen cream to prepare for a smear.

A smear tests for changes.

A test for HPV won't highlight changes the virus causes.

Or has already caused.

Sorry, posted too soon.

I do get smears but I wonder if I need them.
Only ever had sex with DH no one else and he the same, I'm his only sexual partner plus we use condoms as contraception. Do I need to do you think?

Thanks OP. You just prompted me to register online for access to my medical records (I had the mail from docs a little while ago). I can now see that my next smear is due in 2018. Haven't RTFT but I think you are being very helpful and YANBU at all!