To avoid having a smear test

[Reel9]

I’m 26 and still haven to had a smear test.

I keep getting letters from my GP, and I know I’m a fool not to go as it’s better off be safe than sorry.

But a few years ago I was referred to the hospital for an examination regarding irregular bleeding. It turned out to be endometriosis, but before the diagnosis they tried to examine me. They couldn’t even use the tool to ‘open me up’ (I can’t remember the name of it) as it hurt me so much. They tried a smaller one and that was too much too. Because of this, I have avoided going as it was such an undignified, distressing and painful experience.

I’m not worried about the gynaecologist seeing me, it’s just the distress of the procedure.

I’ve read virgins don’t have to get smear tests which makes me wonder if I need one. I’m not a virgin, I’ve had one sexual partner, and he’s also only had one partner (me). So I’m wondering if it’s even possible for me to have the HPV virus?

Are there any women out there who DON’T have the test for whatever reason?

I don't have smear tests. I don't worry about cancer. Many of my colleagues and friends feel the same way. I wouldn't dream of telling a woman she "should" have one.

I also have endometriosis and put off having a smear for a very long time as I found any form of penetration agony.

As a lesbian who had only had 1 sexual experience with a male I figured I was pretty low risk and wasn't really worried about it.

However I was then required to have one as part of a pre-op assessment for surgery I needed. Thankfully it was done under sedation for me and while it wasn't pleasant it was manageable.

It came back highly abnormal and I had to have a cone biopsy afterwards to remove the abnormal cells. I will never again be so lax about my health, it scared me to think it could have been much worse had I not been required to have that smear as I most likely would never have gone.

Please have the smear test, speak to the GP and ask about sedation to help you but please don't just ignore it x

ToadsforJustice, no one is telling anyone to do anything, people come on here for advice and that's all we're doing, giving our advice as we see it. I don't think any of us worry about cancer but it's as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

I had my first one a couple of years ago and it was fine. If you want to take the risk it's your personal decision but I certainly wouldn't. A few seconds of being uncomfortable vs potentially dying of cancer. No matter how low the cancer risk is I'm not prepared to take it.

But it wasn’t fine for the OP, was it?

I am continually surprised by people’s inability to understand that their experiences are not universal.

ok don't have one then it's your life