ARE YOU DUE A SMEAR?

[me23]

I've just been to the doctors and had my smear test done, it was my first one. It took less 3 minutes and was totally painfree!

much easier if you've had a baby I reckon.

Please everyone make sure you have yours done, don't be scared it really isnt nothing to worry about. It was a breeze probably thanks to my stretched fanjo

ohcome on pfnm! Make your appoinement!

appointment even!

Haven't had one done for about 10 years.
pelvicfloornomore - the docs will stop sending the reminders if you tell them you don't want them!

me me me me me!! I was supposed to go 6 months ago, but forgot. Recently something does not feel right 'down there', but I am coming to the end of my period. Does anyone know, how many days having finished your period, is it ok to go for a smear? I read somewhere if you go too soon, your results come back with an inaccurate reading and may not pick up on any problems..

drifter - why so long love?

THey keep sending me a letter as well, but i am 23? Although i have had my dd, so is it still necessary to go? As in the letter it goes on about being 25??

My last one was excruciatingly painful- don't know why as it came back clear. Really has put me off - and I have three dcs.

It's not the law you know! If you don't want to go, don't go!

My DOC said it's best to go 10 days after the last day of your period.

Haily, I've just turned 25 they have recently changed the age for the first smear to 25. I had reminder letter a few years ago but I never went

The reason I went is becuase a collegue of my is due an operation after an abnormal smear, I hope everything turns out ok for her.

It made me realise missing your smear could have potentially tragic consequences.

Cervical cancer can be treated fairly easy if it is caught early, which is why smear tests are offered. How annoyed would you be to get cervical cancer, and potentially have to have a hysterectomy, and be told that none of that would have been necessary if you had of had a smear. Its happens to young girls too, A friend of mine is 26, and has cervical cancer, she only delayed hers by a year. She has had a kid already, and now faces a hard decision as to whether to have her cervix removed. No lady is immune!!
GO FOR YOUR SMEAR!!!!!

I can only reiterate what Daisycat wrote : go for your smear, it can be a life saver. Most smears that come back abnormal happen to women aged 20-30. I have one every year because of a scare that happened several years ago and I was happy to be able to conceive

I got a letter last week telling me I was due for one. I hate it so much & last time was really quite painful. The nurse was amazed at my muscle tone down there!

Also I had a c-section so don't suppose its going to be any easier this time either!

But I know I must go.....oh its so not fair!

I was due one just before giving birth. DS is now two

I got my results for my smear today. There were abnormal cells founds (mild dyskaryosis) andI have beentoldto go back in 6 months time for anothor test to see whther they have returned to normal.

Is it every 3 or 4 years?
Had my last one in 2004.

Just out of interest - I had one when dd was 5mths old, and when I mentioned it to a friend, she said you shouldn't have one when you're breastfeeding. The doctor never mentioned this - anyone know if it's true, and why?

Its every 3 years.

I had one 3 weeks ago. It was of course, delightful, as always (Nowt like laying with legs akimbo discussing the weather is there..!). Had my "all clear" letter already.

Yuck, I'm due this summer then.

Yes. Just got the letter .

has anyone had experience of abnormal smear? I'm not sure I can wait 6 months to see of it'sall ok.

would having a colposcopy done privately help?

Don't panic ME23 (easier said than done, I know). I had an abnormal smear result about 3 years ago and, like you, thought I couldn't wait 6m. I wondered why I was being left that long. It was explained to me that changes are very slow and if I was tested less than 6m then probably there would be no change either way. I waited and went for a test 6m later. The cells had reverted and were normal. I was called back 6m after that and again a normal result. I then went 12m later and am now back to the normal recall period of time. I did panic at the time as my mum died as a result of cervical cancer and relatives on her side of the family have been treated for changes (successfully).
Hope that helps a bit.

thnakyou for the reassurance, I did wonder that the colposopy wouldn't show anything becuase as you said the changes take time to develop so I guess it is too soon.

I'm glad yours returned to normal, hopefully mine will too.

I have to have regular smears, every 6 months actually. After having so many abnormal cells in the past. Have had colposcopy many times & laser treatment done too. Not a very nice procedure, but better to catch it early really. This has been going on with me for over 10 yrs now.
When I was pg, they said I may have to have my cervix stitched because of all the laser treatment that I'd had in the past.
The last few smears have come back normal, but better to not put it off.
DH always comes with me as Im not good with needles etc. Dignity goes out of the window when it happens, butif you've had kids, that happens anyway.
Always had mine done on the NHS, no probs at all, they have always been very good.
DO take their advise & rest afterwards & NO SEX for 6 weeks or so.