I'd be asking about your HPV status, most women our age are HPV-
If you're HPV- there's no risk it will progress to cervical cancer
So I'd urge you to at least check your HPV status
I couldn't disagree more with the idea we don't need our uterus after menopause, I value and respect every part of my body and will protect it from unnecessary tests, procedures and surgeries.
You might want to do some research, you might be surprised to find our ovaries and uterus have a role to play right through life.
Not sure I can add links here, but if you google the subject you should find something on the subject.
"The pelvic floor should be considered in surgical decision-making are: pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, sexual function and pelvic organ fistula formation. These outcomes are particularly relevant as life expectancy has increased and sequela may occur a long time after the surgical procedure and severely impair quality of life"
Taken from "Long Term Effects of Hysterectomy" by C. Forsgren and D. Altman, Aging Health, 2013
All the best, please take your time with this important decision.
Note: most post-menopausal women are HPV- which means not at risk of cc, about 95% of us.
Why want one if you don't want to go for it, my sister is at all the time asking me to go for it, I keep saying no. I'm not with any guy for 3 years and I'm not willing to go to get a smear test ever. I'm 33, light smoker but it won't change my mind.
I've given up on accessing healthcare until I age out of the cervical screening program at 70. I've had diarrhoea since childhood but none of the GPs in my practice as willing to engage with me on that issue. Instead, every appointment turns into a hard sell for cervical screening. I've opted out by letter, which has stopped invitation letters from being sent to my home, but no matter how many times I write or tell the GPs that I will never submit to screening, it is still brought up in every appointment and takes up the majority of the time available.
I have been privately vaccinated against HPV via Lloyds pharmacy (although my GPs seem reluctant to believe me about this - every time I tell them, they ask questions about the number and spacing of injections and seem to be hoping to catch me out in a lie). There seems to be nothing I can say that can persuade them to make a note on my file that I've already discussed my reasons.
As a result I've stopped going to GP for pill (I'm not sexually active but need it to control periods) and am now buying it online instead.
i used to get asked constantly if they could schedule me for my female wellness exams. i told the doctor that i do not do pelvic/pap, colonoscopy or mammograms and she has not asked me again. try being firm and instead of saying you'll schedule one, tell them in no uncertain terms that you do NOT and will not do it
Hi Lauren ,you can opt out of screening you can be taken off their list and sign a disclaimer it is up to you to decide and the surgery also gets paid for every test done.It is not supposed to be like a summons.I told my surgery if they ever mention it again I would make a complaint to the general medical council,they leave me alone now.