Does repeat smear in 36 months mean it's clear?

[Gumball306]

I've been anxiously awaiting the results of my first smear, im 25. I've had some troublesome symptoms which exasperated my worry so I've been on tender hooks for a few weeks.

I called the GP surgery today to find out the results as I hadn't received a letter and the receptionist said she's not qualified to discuss the results but it says to repeat in 36 months. If I want to discuss I need to speak to my GP because she can't say anything else.

Unable to get a telephone appointment with my GP today so just wanted to ask whether it sounds ok to you?

It’s fine. :)

It's standard to have a smear every three years, so it sounds like you just need to come back for a routine recall test then. Always an idea to speak to your GP/nurse if you want to discuss the results themselves though.

You should speak to your GP as you've mentioned troubling symptoms, but three years is the normal interval for routine smears so that doesn't sound bad.

I did raise my concerns when I went for the smear, which were alot of lower back pain and one episode of mid cycle spotting but I explained that I'd recently had emergency contraception so she wasn't concerned at that point, it's just me and my propensity to worry

Sounds good though though thank goodness for that. I will get an appointment to chat with the GP when I can, though.

I’m a fellow worrier! So I’m totally with you on that.

If there’s anything dodgy on a smear, they call you back to do it again straight away. So 3 years is good news. You should receive s letter at home, though. Have you got the first letter, that called you in for the smear? If so, contact them directly and ask where your letter is.

The bad scary symptoms are usually bleeding after sex, and LOTS of regular spotting. One incident (especially when you’d changed contraception) doesn’t sound concerning.

A lovely doctor once told me — when I was worrying — to remember that medical problems “persist and get worse”. So not to stress over a one-off symptom, but to start being concerned when it keeps happening and gets more intense.

Big hug. Well done on having the Smear.

Totally fine.

I had a letter for an appointment 6 months after I last had a smear and I had no idea why. They didn't tell me there was a potential issue so I doubt they'd bother telling me if it was all fine. (Happy to report that I've heard nothing since so I must be all good)