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Hello Bees,
This post has been sparked by yet another conversation I had with a friend. I have a girlfriend who told me she has NEVER had a pap smear! She's 25 and has been sexually active for nearly 10 years, yet she's never worked up the nerve to go in and get one done. As I was sitting there in complete shock our other friend chimed in and said she had only gotten her first at 22 despite having been sexually active since she was 14.
I had my first when I was 17 and have EVERY year on the dot since. Part of this may be because I had a cousin who had a full hysterectomy at 18 due to cervical cancer. I think the other part is that I just don't want to take any chances. I have another cousin, who like me, goes every year. Thank goodness because on her exam last year the lab found some abnormal cells that she had treated and is thankfully cancer free. Her doctor told her if she had waited any longer she would have been much worse off. She just gave birth to a healthy baby girl, so it really hits home because that might not have been possible if she wasn't so responsible about her reproductive health.
So Bees, How old were you when you had your first PAP? If you're sexually active and have not gone...PLEASE GO!!
I go every year like clockwork and have since I first became sexually active. But like you, I know someone who had cervical cancer so I fully understand the importance of a pap.
To be honest I actually don't remember. I want to say it was before age 19? But really really cant remember.
But I second that ladies need to go out and get it done! When I was 20 I had one come back with abnormal cells and had to get a leep done. I was terrified but thankful that I caught it early!
I don't know anyone who's had cervical cancer, but nonetheless I started going when I was 15 or 16 (don't remember which). It was around the time when I first became sexually active. I continue to go regularly.
I was on the older side.. I was 23, so just last year for me. I KNOW it's terrible. I was scared shitless. Now looking back I know I was being stupid because it's no big deal, but not knowing anything about it can make you very nervous. They should definitely focus more on that in sex ed when we're younger.
I have gotten them routinely, once a year, since I was 16 and started going on birth control. It's made a world of difference, since I had abnomal results and had to go get a biopsy. Everything came back normal, but now I go every 6 months for the next 2 years.
There were new guidelines published last year about routine PAP smears (so for the general population; they might be different for individual women, such as if there is a history of cervical cancer or abnormal cells).
http://www.acog.org/acog_districts/dist_notice.cfm?recno=13&bulletin=3161
The last time I was at the gyno she said that they're now recommending the 1st one be at age 21. This may be different, however, if there's a family history (esp. if it's a younger person)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34046944/ns/health-cancer/t/new-guidelines-pap-smears-can-start/
i think i got my first when i was 16ish because i started BC for my bad acne. even though i wasn't having intercourse until i was in my mid-20s, i still got them once a year. i go to the doctor once a year, so they always do it and i've never thought twice about it.
if you haven't had one, what's the hold up? why the fear?
@EvaBostonTerrier: Thanks for that info! I just seen my doctor and she didn't mention any of this, I'm scheduled in for an annual exam still. I don't mind going once a year though because it's always good to know everything is "all good" down there. Is this for the US and not Canada maybe?
@west.coast.blonde: My understanding is that many doctors still want to do an annual exam, but the PAP smear isn't required every year. However, I know that when I talked to my doctor, they said that since they are doing the physical exam, the might as well do the pap smear.
Not had one yet and Im 22! In the UK,the NHS does not provide these tests to women under 25. I know 3 women all under the age of 25 who have died from cervical cancer and this is something which is constantly being campaigned against but to no avail so far.....
@BirdofaFeather: I will just touch on that little. I got my first pap that said I had abnormal cells. In my brain, the first thing I thought was "cancer" I was like OH SHIT!
So I went in for a scoposcopy (honestly don't even know how to say it or spell it). It again said I had abnormal cells and that I had to get another one in 3 months. Well I didn't go for over a year because I was afraid they would say it was cancer.
So for me, I was actually really really afraid to hear bad news. I know it is pretty stupid when I think back at it now.
@BirdofaFeather: Cause some stranger will be all up in your hoo-ha? I'm not sure there needs to be much more reason to be nervous about it. When no one explains to you step by step what the doctor is going to do- of course you're going to be worried.
I hate them, and doubt that I'll ever get to a point that I'm not nervous before one, I don't think it's totally irrational.
It was shortly after I lost my virginity, which was 18 but I was probably 19 when I had a pap.
@west.coast.blonde: I didn't become sexually active until 18, but I was getting pap smears at 16 when I went on BC. I have friends who have never had one and we are all 28+ I'm like "WHAT!?" It's not even that bad! How would you not want to know if something is going on down there that you don't know about!
@Mrs Green Grass: There we go! Honestly everytime I call the gyno and ask for my next appointment it comes out like "scoloploshaldsfkjadlfkadfy?" lol
I went for my first a couple of weeks after my 15th birthday. My stepsister ratted to my parents that I lost my virginity, and my stepmom had me at the next open appointment to get a pap and be put on birth control (the same day my stepsister told them, my older stepbrother announced his girlfriend was pregnant--they were both 18).
Freshman year of college, when I went to Planned Parenthood to get on the pill. Plug for Planned Parenthood. It was there when I needed it.
Every year on the dot. I had a cervical cancer scare when I was 19 so I have to have it done. My mom had cervical cancer her mom died from breast cancer, so it's mandatory for me!
@EvaBostonTerrier: This is for the United States only, Canada is still once a year.
I had my first at age 20. It was a matter of days after I'd lost my virginity to DH (BF at the time) and I needed/wanted to go on the pill (we just used a condom the first time).
I've had one annually ever since (and will continue to get it annually despite the new "guidelines").
@tranquility:i understand that a little, but knowing me, my bigger fear would be NOT knowing and having to wait the entire 3 months. thanks for the insight!
@MissSawyer:i've always had great doctors who do explain what they're doing and i've never felt that it was a stranger in my lady parts. :) i also have only gone to female doctors, so i've never felt weird about what they're doing and why. thanks for sharing your experience as i was really curious to the degree of fear/discomfort that would cause people to not go and get themselves checked out... i understand not wanting to do it daily (it's not all fun and games) but i wondered why anyone would stay away for years.
but i guess the fear/discomfort factor also applies to dentists and doctors in general, right?
I went for my first at 18 b/c I was having terrible cramping during my periods. I just wanted to make sure things were ok. I wasn't sexually active until I was 20. I'm actually surprised at the number of women who don't go every year. I do like clockwork. It's uncomfortable, sure, but it's better to know what's going on than to be completely in the dark. And now in the US, it's free...so why wouldn't you go every year just to be sure?
@kimbo89: Wow I did not know that! That is just crazy business!
I went for my first one at 25, about a month before I lost my virginity. I would have had it sooner if I was going to be sexually active younger, but my husband and I were waiting until we were married to do the deed, so I just didn't really see a point.
I went when I had my first GYN appointment, at age 17. This was also when I got my first yeast infection :( Not a fun appointment!
I was young (13 or 14) because I was going on a serious acne medication and birth control was mandatory due to birth defects related to it.
I was 18. Haven't had once since (I'm now 23). No need to scold me. I understand why I should have one and such. But unless you guys have extra money or would like to add me to your insurance policy, then I won't be going any time soon.
@DesireeAnne: another plug for planned parenthood. you are who they are there for. give them a call.. this ends my public service announcement.
I have gotten one every year like clockwork since I was 18 or 19. Every year they have come back normal, until last year. When I came back after being told I had "abnormal cells," I actually found out I had level 3 severe dysplasia (basically the worst level before it turns into cancer). I was only 21! And I had a normal pap the year before! Honestly one year's time CAN make a difference in your health.
Luckily I had a LEEP done to remove the abnormal cells and they have not come back, but PLEASE get checked out. If it's normal one year and you don't have any new partners, it can still be abnormal the next year. It can lie dormant in your system for years and turn up when you don't know it.
@retreadbride: I have my reasons as to why I don't go in my area.
I started when I was 16/17. I had a doctor that explained everything which made it a lot easier. I have had a lot of problems so I go to the gyno more than most so I don't really care about having people in my business anymore.
I'm still going every year as long as my insurance pays for it which it does right now.
Yeah...my best friend told me she has never had one OR had even had an annual exam. I was honestly scared for her and have playfully gotten her to "promise" to go before she turns 25. :/
I have been going regularly for my annual since age 17 (when I started on BC - even though I wasn't sexually active yet) but my first PAP was at 19. They've gotten pretty routine. I actually have mine in 10 days! ha.
I am 22 and have not had a pap or exam. Before you read me the riot act, this is ok for women who have never been sexually active and have a negative family history. My doctor (also an OB/GYN) has stated that he would like me to have one within the first year of marriage. I would, of course go in if I had problems like excessively heavy or painful menstruation.
I have yet to have one - I'm not sexually active (I'm 21), and when I spoke to my doctor she said that there was no reason to have one before 25 if you're not sexually active, but that within a month of being sexually active you should get one.
Sucks that she's my campus doctor and I will no longer be a student when I get married :(
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