Does this sound like i should go for a smear?

Tests and investigations
1

iv just turned 26 im not sexually active and have never had a smear, i got a letter when i was 25, i left it and havn't heard anythign since

iv been spotting in between my periods for the last 3 or so periods, it was only light, less than a day and happened on the 12 day after my period like clockwork.i presumed it was normal and maybe to due with ovulation

now i have been spotting for 4 days (it might be dying out now i think but i guess i will see tomorrow) ,my last period was on the 6th, i dont know if i am being a hypochondriac or not, i know spotting is normal but im not sure if 4 days is and i thought could it be a sign of cervial cancer

which is how i found this forum, and looking at a few others.. i didnt know that it is pretty much unlikely if your not sexually active, i also didn't know that smear tests are pretty pointless too.. i know its not 100% so i dont know if to be relieved or not

i would prefer to not go,..at all.. that seems like a very awkward appointment to me and i dont think i could handle it.. i don't even like going doctors to talk about anything, which is why i use google as my doctor butt i am over 25 so i don't know if that changes anything

is it something i really should do?

i also forgot to mention that im wondering if this could be stress releated, iv been dealing my grandmother being terminal lately,nearing the end and having a new business, in its first year has been pretty much a whole year of stress...maybe just that?

2

Hi Bluebell

If you've never had any genital contact then you're MOST unlikely to have HPV, an STI...cervical screening programs are slowly changing to focus on the small group of women aged 30 to 60 who are HPV+, these are the only women who'll be offered a smear test in the future.

The new Dutch program offers 5 HPV primary tests or HPV self-testing to sexually active women at ages 30,35,40,50 and 60 and only the roughly 5% who test HPV+ will be offered a 5 yearly smear test. 

Almost all women are HPV- and cannot be helped by smear tests, but can be harmed, false positives are fairly common with smear tests, especially before age 30 and can lead to excess biopsies and over-treatment.

I've been married for decades but have never had a smear test, I looked at the lifetime risk of cc, 0.65% (less than 1%) and then looked at the lifetime risk of colposcopy and biopsy under the Aussie program - a huge 77% (it would also be fairly high in the UK, but not as high as Australia)

I decided the risks were too high with this testing and accepted the near zero risk of cc, I now know that HPV- women cannot benefit from smear testing.

I think stress can certainly affect your menstrual cycle, my friend had periods all over the place during exam time and when her mother was unwell.

If you're worried though, don't agree to a smear test, that's a screening test for women with NO symptoms, someone with symptoms (persistent and unusual spotting) needs a full work-up, not a smear test, a screening test.

HPV Today, Edition 24, sets out the new Dutch program.

I'd keep an eye on your cycle, you'll probably find things settle down as your life becomes less stressful, sounds like you're going through a lot at the moment.

I noticed changes to my cycle in my late 40s but knew it was approaching menopause. Sometimes knowing our bodies and how they work helps a lot, I think many women have lost trust with this emphasis on a fairly rare cancer. The healthy female body is so often painted as something that poses a threat to our lives and so it needs constant medical surveeillance our whole lives.

I couldn't disagree more, I value, trust and respect my asymptomatic body.

If we choose to have screening, it should be an informed decision. No one has the right to pressure us into screening, all screening carries risk and so it's up to us to decide whether the risks of screening are worth the benefit.

 

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Hi Eliz,

thank you for all the information and taking the time to reply

really appreciate it

i knew it was more important to have if sexually active but i didn't realise how un-important it was if you wasn't and the risks on both sides

i will definetly just see how it goes forawhile, im pretty sure it could be stress releated as i have notice personality changing, iv never been in a mood before but since startign my business, with the pressure of it iv noticed iv been getting in more moods lately and with everything else so i will just keep an eye on it

thanks again for the information

4

Hi I agree with Eliz and dont feel pressured in to having the smear done, i very much doubt your at any risk not being sexually active either.  Sorry your going through a rough time at the moment with your dealing with your  grandmother being terminaly ill. I would definatley see how things go for a while too.

Sue