hi.
im just wondering when you should have a smear test.
im 21 and from UK and i havnt had one yet.
is it something to worry about.
surly if i was due one the doctors would write a letter to me to let me know.
thanks amy x x

In the UK it's after your 25th birthday. It used to be after your 20th or 21st but they changed it cause so many women were getting abnormal but it was really clear, something to do with bodies not settling yet or summit, it was all explained to me by a nurse but my memory is like a sieve

oh thank you. i thought it was 20 but i guess that if i needed on they would of wrote.
thank you very much.
my mind has been put to rest.
thanks again x x x

My midwfie asked me if Id had one and I said no, and she said its not unusual but they do them routinely if youre pregnant anyway. I havent had one yet, but I guess theyll do one later.

You can request one though, at any age from when you're sexually active.

xxx

I would have thought that being sexually active you should be getting them done yearly.

It actually depends on the area.
Im 20 and im getting my second done next week.

Im 21 & never had one...

Linzi... Is that just your area that the midwives request a smear test for you. I was asked by the MW atthe beggining which I thought must have been for medical records... Im now over due and never been offered one through my pregnancy or even had it mentioned to me again?

I had my first one when i was around 21, the doctor wrote me a letter, although if your sexually active you should get them done regularly. I think if the results are ok they call you back every couple of years, but as i had abnormal cells for a number of years i have had one done every six months for about the last five years!!! i had one done they day i found out i was pregnant and i finally got a clear result!!

Perhaps I should have a look into this in the new year once ive recovered from birth.

Here in the USA they say every year, as soon as you start being sexually active. I had my first at age 13. Here, if you're on birth control they won't give you your pills unless you're up-to-date on your exam. It's a pain in the ass really. Plus here they always do a smear when you're pregnant, usually at your first appointment. Again, it sucks. Every time I read a post on these things from you European girls it makes me want to move there even more, lol.