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Smear tests
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hi, just to point out that I am asking this question for a friend, I know some people might think "yea right" but those who know me will realise that I am! lol
A friend of mine just got a letter telling her her first smear test is due. However, she has never has sex. She has never used tampons or done much exercise and she reckons her hymen will still be intact. So, can they perform a smear test?
I personally think it would be unwise to do so on someone who hasn't actually had sexual intercourse yet, and she doesn't want to go! (To be blunt, lol, she doesn't want her first penetration to be by a nurse with a spatula!).
She has now received several letters telling her she is due for one and she has also been automatically given several appointments with her nurse at her GPs surgery, all of which she has cancelled.
So, I suppose the question is.... are you supposed to have smear tests even if you have never had sex?
A friend of mine just got a letter telling her her first smear test is due. However, she has never has sex. She has never used tampons or done much exercise and she reckons her hymen will still be intact. So, can they perform a smear test?
I personally think it would be unwise to do so on someone who hasn't actually had sexual intercourse yet, and she doesn't want to go! (To be blunt, lol, she doesn't want her first penetration to be by a nurse with a spatula!).
She has now received several letters telling her she is due for one and she has also been automatically given several appointments with her nurse at her GPs surgery, all of which she has cancelled.
So, I suppose the question is.... are you supposed to have smear tests even if you have never had sex?
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I just asked my mum and she said that then only do them if you are sexually active and over 19. She was surprised that they have sent her a appointment through for a smear coz they only do that if you have had one before. If she phones and explains to the receptionist they should cancel her appointment. If she is not comfy with the receptionist then ask to speak to the practise nurse.
Hope this helps.
just because you've not had sex doesn't mean you won't get cervical cancer. it reduces the risk, but it doesn't completely rule it out.
like my doctor says, it's embarrassing, it's uncomfortable, but it lasts for 30 seconds and it beats dying horribly of cervical cancer.
i went to get a test done after getting a letter sent through from the docs. i was a virgin and when the doc asked if i was sexually active and i said no she said there was no need for the test and asked why i had come for it! maybe every doc is different!
I was told that you should start having them within a year of when you become sexually active. So if you start having sex when you're 16, you should start having smear tests a year later. Otherwise they start automatically notifying you when you're 20. I'm not sure if that's just because they assume you'll have had sex by then, or whether it's because you need to have them at that age regardless of sexual experience.
Lots of conflicting information in this thread.
i think thats right what you have said there. and i think they notify you at 20 because they do assume you are sexually active by then.
and tbh i'd rather be safe than sorry.
I found a site for lesbians (don't know how....) and smear tests. It tells them that it is better to get it done as over 75% of lesbians have had sex with a man. However, it says if they have never been penetrated they are at very low risk and could choose not to.
:eek2:
very low risk is still a risk though, isn't it?
i mean - this is the only part of your body you can get checked out for free. me getting a brain tumour would be very low risk, but if they offered me a brain scan every 5 years just to be sure i'd jump at the chance. it's all about peace of mind.
She has every right to say no, and not get it done, and while i would say that would be foolish in someone who was sexually active. Since shes a virgin who has never even used tampons, then there is little/no need. The choice is hers at the end of the day, not the doctors.
So, while you can remain a virgin and still get cervical cancer, the risk is much smaller than if you are sexually active. If you aren't sure, talk to your GP to make sure.
I did a quick search on Google and came up with http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/home.htm
for those ladies concerned.
Hope this helps.
Edit: Completely forgot. I admire women for going to have a smear test. They sound damn awful and I'm just glad I'm a bloke, even though I have a prostate gland (can't wait till they start testing blokes for prostate cancer).
Just wondering...does it hurt?
you should all be sent a letter about the time of your 20th birthday.
it's like, happy birthday, now come for a smear test.
you still have to make an appointment. the letter is only advising you to make an appointment!