cervical screening/ smear test

regularsaver1

Thanks - I'm going to book my appointment, just still not sure when I go ? how long after i finish period?

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I received a letter about having a smear test sometime last year (I was 21). I was a little confused as on the leaflet that was with it, it said that smear tests are recommended for women 25 and over. I was kind of scared about having a smear test anyway so just ignored the letter.

Should I just wait until I'm 25 or contact the surgery/nurse before that?

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt

I've had one this morning and although I'd rather it was Mr LMLOD rummaging around my nether regions than a nurse :rotfl: I know that it's in my best interests to have them done.

I've had a few abnormal cell test results so was moved from having a smear every 3 years to every 6 months and have recently moved onto having one every 12 months.

My mum had laser treatment a few years ago, so me and my sister always keep our appointments and they really are nothing to worry about. The nurses at my surgery are lovely and put me at ease.

HTH

Debt_Free_Chick

regularsaver1 wrote:

Thanks - I'm going to book my appointment, just still not sure when I go ? how long after i finish period?

Mid-cycle. So if you're a 28 day-er, about 2 weeks before/after. One thing I always forget ...... they ask you for the date of the first day of your last period. I always end up having to count backwards using my fingers & toes :rotfl: so try and take the date in your head, when you go.

pavlovs_dog

its nice to see this thread has benefitted others as well

thank you to everyone for taking the time to contribute :A xx

Bossyboots

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

Mid-cycle. So if you're a 28 day-er, about 2 weeks before/after. One thing I always forget ...... they ask you for the date of the first day of your last period. I always end up having to count backwards using my fingers & toes :rotfl: so try and take the date in your head, when you go.

I asked my GP about this at the time when my periods were irregular coming up to menopause. She said that there is no longer any need to go at a particular part of your cycle (other than actually during your period of course) so if other practices are saying differently, I would be interested to hear. I did wonder whether my surgery says that because you actually have to book your appointment three months in advance because they are so busy and only do them every other Monday.

I confess though that even after that I only got my smear done when I had a scare and ended up having two in six months. That scare is enough to convince me to get them done regularly from now on. I could have saved myself some unncessary worry if I had at least had the comfort of knowing that if something was wrong, it had only been wrong since my last smear rather than the several years I had ignored the letters asking me to attend to get one done.

Bagpuss1973

Just thought I would add my two penneth...

I would recommend having them done. The nurses really have seen it all before so there is no need to worry, if you wear a long floaty skirt you won't even need to remove it just pop you knicks off and pull up your skirt.

Do remember that if you have opted out which is your choice then you can e opt in again should you change your mind.

As the first poster you should ring your surgery and ask for a leaflet. If they cannot give you one which they should be able to you could always check out www.patient.co.uk and choose "leaflets" and then choose "c" there are summaries written in English (not medical jargon) explaining exactly what to expect complete with diagrams. Goodluck and ladies do book that appointment - it could save your life.

Bagpussxx

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt

Back to the subject, but I remember reading somewhere that you shouldn't have any 'funny business as my god daughter refers to it as' :rotfl: 24 hours before your smear. Not sure how true this is, but I suppose rogue little swimmers can't help (or be very nice!! :eek:) so I do keep Mr LMLOD on a lease during this time!!

jaxxy00

I would just like to add my story to help persuade people to go. I am now 34 with two teenage daughters but wether i would be here if it wasnt for smears i do not know.

I had regular 3 yearly smears since probably about 18. I cant remember the age but i had one come back with abnormal cells. I then had to go and have a piece taken away, this was done at the hospital and they put a camera up there on a rod thingy and injected it to numb it then took the piece. Im not sure what the results of this was but i do know i then ended up having to go to the hospital and having a session of laser treatment and then another. (the first time was painful but found out it must have been the doctor because my second lot i layed there feet in stirrups waiting and waiting for him to get started and then he said 'thats it all done'. I didnt even know he had done it)

I had to have smears every 6 months for about 2 years, then every year. I have now only recently gone back to every three years which to be honest about im a little uneasy about. All i can say is if you have the chance of a smear take it.

My mum who didnt always have hers regularly as she was scared of the results as she had had problems in the past too. The last one she went to about 18 years ago now, and went back for the results they said she needed to have a hysterectomy ( not sure if they had tried all other routes or if it was because she hadnt been and things had progressed too far). This was quite close to xmas and she said about going away and thinking about it etc. They told her she didnt have a choice as if she didnt have it done she wouldnt be here in the next 6 months!! Shocking stuff for her and they booked her in for the hysterectomy the following week.

Not a great xmas for her that year but shes still here now which is the most important thing. So please go and get them done. They do save lives and you never know it could be yours one day!

mandi

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt wrote:

Back to the subject, but I remember reading somewhere that you shouldn't have any 'funny business as my god daughter refers to it as' :rotfl: 24 hours before your smear. Not sure how true this is, but I suppose rogue little swimmers can't help (or be very nice!! :eek:) so I do keep Mr LMLOD on a lease during this time!!

Hi ..Little Miss

No dont worry. you can have losts of funny business...:rotfl: doesnt effect the screening of the cells.. in fact it doesnt show...:j

Regular.. anytime after your periods ended is fine..

Razorblade... BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT... ( please) :beer:


Pav.. thanks for a great thread. :T, and for all the replies.. makes me happy.. ( and sad as its brought it all back to me) that after Janes death, some of you will act upon your letters, and forget your embarrasment.. IT is so worth it..:j

Not going to say goood luck.. Just OPEN WIDE...:rotfl: