I am 34 and have never had a smear test....

[HateToAdmitThis]

For some reason I never had appointments, now I am too scared that having one may reveal something terrible.

Makkapakka, yes they do look up the speculum.

They have to check that they're sampling the right area of the cervix, as it's one of the things they have to say they've done on the request form that gets sent to the cytology lab.

(I used to be a cytoscreener, that's how I know this).

HTH

have you made an apppointment, HTAT???

thanks, TomKat

My very first smear test - I was 19 - came back with CIN3 level abnormal cells which is the last level before cervical cancer may develop. I had a colposcopy within a week then loop diathermy where they removed the neck of my womb. I've had a couple of borderline dodgy smears since, but mostly all-clears. I am religious about having regular smears. If I hadn't had that first one - who knows - I might not have made it to 37.

For a bit of indignity and minor discomfort it is just not worth not having them. HTAT, even if you - say, had CIN3 at your smear it is eminently treatable....please book an appointment and get it done. Then you can stop worrying about it

was it painful treatment, DrMartha?

Fio, have you just outed yourself?

makkapakka - the colposcopy was a bit uncomfortable - mainly because it took a long time (they take photos). My claim to fame is that I broke the speculum (boy, in those days, I had a pelvic floor ).

The loop diathermy was carried out under a local anaesthetic and I couldn't feel a thing - I felt a bit crampy afterwards, like period pains, but I was home the same day.

29! You wee spring chicken, you.

and were you able to have children afterwards? did they ever find a reason or is there no reason?

Yes, I've got two children. And no, just unlucky I guess. Or maybe lucky, depending on how you look at it.

so glad all was Ok for you, DrMartha.

majority of cervical abnormal cells are caused by one of the HPV viruses (there are loads of differnt ones) which 80% of sexually actice poeple have (thats sexually active EVER not sexually active currently). No-one knows why in some cases the dormant virus causes no problems and in some cases causes cell changes. Not all cell changes will go on to become cancer but its treated anyway as a safeguard.

It would be very unusual for treatment for abnormal cells (or the cells themselves) to cause a problem with conceiving. In fact my gynae was happy for me to start fertility treatment whilst getting treatment for my CIN3 cells and said that it could still be treated if I were pregnant. So dont; let that be a reason if you are worrying about its effect on your future fertility.