To have my smear test early

[Tiredoffeelingtired]

I received a smear test invite last week. I am not 25 until the summer, but apparently they send out the letters 6 months early.

I’m feeling REALLY anxious about it. My ex partner cheated on me multiple times last year(I didn’t find out the extent until after we broke up) and I know there’s a chance he could have given me a high risk HPV.

(For background - I had an episode of health anxiety diagnosed a couple of years ago, triggered by a health condition which involved having several different tests. I had CBT which was highly effective, but I’m worried waiting for the smear results will trigger my anxiety disorder again.)

So my AIBU is - AIBU to book my smear ASAP, to get it out the way, even though I’m only 24?

Pressed post too soon. On the other hand I’m wondering if I should wait another 6 months and hope that my body throws off any HPV he might have given me by then.

Go for it, I’m sure you’ll be fine so just book it and try to relax

I’ve been told by my gp surgery that they won’t do it until you’re due. I asked if I could have one sooner than I was scheduled and met with a resounding “No” even though I felt that I had a sound reason for requesting it.

You might find differently from me, op. But thought I’d warn you that I was told they have to stick to the guidelines.

Best of luck though, and I hope all is well.

If you feel it would make your anxiety around it ease then you should do it. Sorry this is so hard for you.

If you've had an invite I'd book in for one. The results are usually very quick if they are clear. The nurse will explain it all to you.

Are you receiving help from the GP about your health anxiety?

Thanks for replies. @LauraPalmersBodybag that’s interesting, I might give them a call next week and see what they say - wish they’d saved sending the letter until the summer if that’s the case, it’s on my mind now!

At least if they say I can’t have one until I’m 25 it takes away the element of choice for me.

@blackteaplease I had CBT with the initial anxiety episode which was quite a while ago - it was massively helpful and anxiety levels have been fine and manageable since then, but getting the smear letter has triggered it a bit.

The waiting list for CBT is around 9 months in my area so if I went back and requested it again the smear would be over and done with my the time I get the first appointment.

Just don't mention your age, make your booking. And I'm sure you will be fine. Mine was HPV positive last summer, and they told me to come back next summer. I want to book an early one to see if has gone, but they won't let me

I certainly hope you have more luck than me - in my case I was wanting one a year ahead of time. Though I have already had them, so thinking about it, perhaps it wasn’t a great comparison on my part...apologies if so.

There’s no harm in trying to book it in and querying it with them if they’re not keen though. Especially if you’re worried about your ex’s sexual history.

When I worked in a surgery the rule was if they'd received a letter they could be booked in. Good luck my last smear was over before I had counted to three the nurse was a smear ninja.

@Firesong thanks and I’m sorry to hear about that, I hope it’s all cleared up by the time you have your next test. Is it an option for you to have it done privately instead? I’d really struggle with waiting that long too.

If you've had the letter you should be able to book it. I think you get your invite the year you turn 25 rather than when you turn 25?

Thank you @WreckTangled

@Tiredoffeelingtired

Yes do get it ASAP, and don't worry, I am sure you'll be fine. Even if it IS a positive result, there are many ways to deal with it.

Lots of love xxx

I'm 24 and I was invited for mine a little while ago, I had it done on the 7th this month. It was fine, take up the opportunity and get it over with you'll be glad once it's over and you don't have to think of it for three years xxx

Once you’ve had the invite you can book the appointment. You don’t have to wait. Screening is only done as per the schedule. Surgeries aren’t being awkward when they say the won’t do it early - the lab won’t process samples out of programme. If you have symptoms a smear is not what you need, smears shouldn’t be done on symptomatic women - these women need to be examined. Smears are not a test for cancer but to identify those at risk of cancer in 5-10 years time do intervention can happen early and avoid future problems. If have had the invitation you can book in. Simple as that. I hope it goes well - take a deep breath, relax, leave your socks on and it will be done.

Go and book it, it doesn't matter that you're not 25 yet, you've had the invite letter. Also - don't be terrified of HPV - I'm 33 and I've had it for two years (at least - before then smear tests didn't test for it), but no abnormal cells. I'm hoping my immune system will eventually clear it out, but I trust that I'm not in any harm otherwise I would have been asked to have further checks. It's better to have the knowledge than not know

I work in a surgery. They won't do it if it's not due but your first one is due at 24.5 so but just book it.

Just book it.

You should also go and get a full sexual health screening if you haven't already done so.

Go and get it done.

The age limit was 20 when I got my first letter.

Honestly just get it done and out the way, I was so anxious about going and I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was and how silly I felt about putting it off and worrying for longer than I needed to, once it's done it's done for a few years! X

Oh - OP, I just remembered that the info sheet said you won't be tested for HPV unless you're in your 30s... don't know if that's correct for your area.

They said it's because HPV is so common in people in their 20s and their immune systems are better able to clear it. Also in your 30s a lot of people are monogamous / married and so more likely if they DO have HPV, to have had it longer - therefore more of a risk to their health.

Thank you @SunflowersNKittens , interesting to hear more about what it actually tests for - I’ve avoided google as it was a big anxiety trigger for me previously!

Going to phone up on Monday and get booked in and get it over and done with. Feel much better after reading the replies here

You can book it as soon as you get your letter through. I had my first letter sent to me 6 months before I turned 25 and I went straight away. I had my next at 27.5 and I'm due my third this year.

Book it and get it over with and remind yourself of the CBT technique whilst you wait for the results. Plenty of mindfulness apps etc to help too.

Then maybe it’s worth considering barrier method contraception in future so that this won’t be a future concern.