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Original poster

My close Friend delayed smear test for years and now cannot have kids cos ....

27 replies

Biglips · 29/08/2007 16:42

she just found out she got
Chlamydia and her docs said that looks like she had it for years and had now damaged both of her tubes .

She is only 25 and had been with her BF for 8 years so her BF is infected too and gotta get checked out too.

Also on her smear test the docs found Pre-cancer cells. She had a biopsy and is waiting for the result by next week.

Her and her BF does not want kids but she said that she wish she had the choice not to have kids

i want to hug her so hard xxxx

OP posts:
jalopy · 29/08/2007 17:01

Oh dear.

MerlinsBeard · 29/08/2007 17:03

your poor friend

they don't do smears until 25 now anyway. at least thats the guidelines here

LIZS · 29/08/2007 17:04

but presumably ivf is still an option should they change their minds.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 29/08/2007 17:42

I didn't think they routinely tested for chlamydia on a smear, its a different swab/test? Anyway, very sad for your friend but she should try not to blame herself for putting off the smear. Like mumofmonsters said the recommended age has now changed to starting at 25.

Original poster
Biglips · 29/08/2007 19:32

is it curable? or they will both have it forever??

OP posts:
pania · 29/08/2007 19:45

Sorry for you poor friend, what a shock. I hope her biopsy comes back OK.

They can cure chlamydia with antibiotics.

If both of her tubes are completely blocked she still has a very good chance of getting pregnant in the future with IVF.

If she ever does get pregnant naturally she will need a scan early on (about 5 - 6 weeks) to make sure the pregnancy isn't ectopic.

Kewcumber · 29/08/2007 19:50

this is exactly the kind of situation IVF was originally developed for ie blocked fallopian tubs and at her age she would likely be very successful also becasue there is a medical cause she would probably get it funded on the NHS.

However if she ever does change her mind about having children IVF is generally nothing like as succesful once you are in your late 30's. So tell her to make her mind up in the next 5-10 yrs!

morningpaper · 29/08/2007 19:51

your poor sis

fuzzywuzzy · 29/08/2007 19:55

Has routine smear been changed to aged 25??? I was being constantly harrassed with leaflets and the gp once I hit about 18 if I remember correctly....or do they only reserve this for girls living in Hackney

CoteDAzur · 29/08/2007 19:56

Regarding precancerous cells - She will probably have to have a small operation to remove the precancerous area on the cervix. Tell her not to worry, as it does not affect fertility nor the ability to carry a child to term.

Original poster
Biglips · 29/08/2007 20:13

she had been told that it depends how bad it is and may have to have her womb removed!.

Yes she is on Antib atm.

i believe its more difficult to cure it on men

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 29/08/2007 20:16

Your regular smear test does NOT screen for chlamydia or other STDs. You need to ask for that separately, as the smear test you're invited to every three years is to check for pre-cancerous cells.

expatinscotland · 29/08/2007 20:19

'she had been told that it depends how bad it is and may have to have her womb removed!. '

That's really horrid of them to have scared her like that. Chlamydia is not treated with hyterectomy. Even cancer in situ, if caught early, is not treated with hysterectomy in a woman wishing to protect her fertility - provided it is caught early enough.

Pre-cancerous cells are just that. They have the potential to become cancerous, but they are not cancerous in themselves. Only a biopsy can determine their severity, so it is absolutely horrid to tell someone who has an abnormal smear that they made need a hysterectomy when they haven't even had a colposcopy or biopsy - btw, sometimes the colposcopy will show a biospy isn't even necessary.

popsycal · 29/08/2007 20:20

Our doctors' surgery is having a big 'crack down' on chlmydia. They have test kits in all of the toilets in the surgery and posters advertising the fact. I think this is excelletn seeing as how it is silent.

A smear won't test for this though.
I really fel for you friend

Hulababy · 29/08/2007 20:20

Smear test info here

New ages and intervals for tests:

Age group (years) & Frequency of screening
25 = First invitation
25-49 = 3 yearly
50-64 = 5 yearly
65+ = Only screen those who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests

expatinscotland · 29/08/2007 20:20

It's easier to treat men. In fact, they are usually symptomless and so can easily transmit it to many woman.

She should have a lap and dye to determine the extend of the damage to her tubes.

Not saying she'll get off scot-free, but I think it's really awful of them to have frightened the life out of her just now.

expatinscotland · 29/08/2007 20:21

I think 25 is WAY too old for a first screening in a woman who is sexually active, particularly if she has not had the HPV vaccine.

morningpaper · 29/08/2007 20:36

expat you are right

I was banging on the door of the STD clinic constantly when I was sexually active (with a variety of partners I mean) - got fully screened every few months - this was because I got chlamydia when I was using condoms so that made me realise that it is a risky game you play out there

expatinscotland · 29/08/2007 21:27

One of my closest friends suffered an ectopic pregnancy from chlamydia. That was the first she knew she had it.

HPV is the major factor in cervical cancer. Until all young women are vaccinated for this in late childhood, I honestly think 25 is way too old for a first screening.

Cervical cancer tends to be very slow-growing, but there are strains out there which are more aggressive than others, so even a baseline screening at 18 would help.

There was one poster here who unfortunately lost a 2nd trimester late pregnancy and her uterus to cervical cancer at only 21.

Original poster
Biglips · 30/08/2007 14:35

yes i think its too old too - 25. Just fingers cross that she hasnt got cancer.

OP posts:
HorseyWoman · 30/08/2007 16:25

This made me look up a bit because I was due my smear when I was 21, went to have it and they turned me away telling me the age had now changed to 23. So last October I got my letter to go for my smear but found it difficult with work. I am 24 in a few weeks and still haven't had it. I know I am clear of disease as I had to have a smear before having the coil, but I also know the smear is simple and important, so will definitely have one now.

Your poor friend. If they are pre-cancer cells she should be OK. Fingers crossed for her. Cervical cancer is highly curable, especially caught early like that.

HorseyWoman · 30/08/2007 16:28

I'm definitely still only 23 and get letters periodically and more snotty every time, telling me I need a smear, from my dr/surgery. I am in Somerset.

HorseyWoman · 30/08/2007 16:29

When the nurse told me at 21 I couldn't have the smear, she said it was because they had found cervical cancer was very common in women between certain ages (I think it was 30-something and 50-something), and the NHS wanted to direct more money/resources in getting women of those ages checked.

MKG · 30/08/2007 16:59

25?! Here in the US I've been getting one every year since I was 17.

aloha · 30/08/2007 17:06

Studies by Cancer Research UK scientists showed that screening under 25s did not reduced the (very, very low) rate of cancer in young women. Also women under 25 show a very high rate of false positives due to hormonal changes, leading to worry and unnecessary treatment, which is not always risk free itself. The leading cancer charities supported the change.