What's the longest you've gone without getting a pap smear and/or pelvic exam?

Question

I know you should have one yearly, but it's been awhile for me (I have an appointment this week though!). Just wondering if I'm the only one who hasn't had it done in a few years...

Answer 1

It all depends on your sexual activity and health. If you have a normal period with no complications and are not having sex or are in a monogamous relationship than it is okay to have one every other year. But if you have had sex with more than one man you need to have your check-up. You need to be tested for STD's. Some STD's can take a while to be noticed but can be found in medical tests. If you have one you should be treated before you spread it unknowingly.

Answer 2

You should never let this go as HPV can be cancerous. I have had 2 abnormal pap smears in my life and one they thought for sure was cancer (turned out it wasn't). I do not want to relive that scare again so from here on in don't skip your yearly physical. My question is if you skipped your yearly pap test for a couple years does that say that you didn't get your annual routine physical those years too? If you were getting your physical all along you should have just had them do the pap while you were getting your routine yearly physical. I have my done all at the same time by my regular doc so I don't have to try to remember to make two separate appointments at different times of the year. I get everything done in one visit once a year.

Answer 3

The longest I've gone is 1 1/2 years because I completely forgot about the original appointment and I got the earliest possible appointment they had. I'm happy to say that after the one I had a few months ago, I won't have to get another for 3 years. They did the regular pap plus and HPV screening. I was told that if both came back fine, I wouldn't have to get another pap for 3 years. I will still have to get the internal, but I can handle that.

Answer 4

I don't quite understand about your first time. You should be "tight" on your first time because you have a hymen that should be broken. However, sometimes girls have had there hymens slightly broken or completely broken by different things like bicycle accidents, horseback riding, etc. Pap smears and pelvic exams are uncomfortable but do not really "hurt". Ask the doctor to explain to you what they are going to do before they do it. Most doctors are very gentle with young ladies. I recommend you go to your pediatrician or a gynecologist. Both will be more sensitive to your needs. A lot of family practice doctors are good also. If you want to go to a clinic try planned parenthood. They usually have a teen clinic and the doctors are use to helping young ladies like yourself. Look up the site below to see if they have any information for you.

Answer 5

It has been 5 years from last year, since I had a pap smear, now I am paying for it, going to an gynaecology every six month since last year. next appointment this year. I am returning for further colposcopy for possible changes. A year ago the tests showed abnormality. I re-get not having a pap swear every two years. The tests find out any early changes in the body, this can be a life saver. Wish you good luck.

Answer 6

They say you should have a pap every 2 years as soon as you are sexually active. I started haveing sex at 16. For the very first time I had a pap 3 weeks ago. I am 26 years old.

Luckily they found nothing, but deep down regret not doing it sooner.

Answer 7

I took two years to get up the courage to go for a pap smear. And it was all over in minutes.

You should have one yearly so they can detect any changes quicly.

I had stage 1 abnormal cells and was told it could be years before they change again.
But after getting losts of lower abdominal pain went back to Doctor, who was a pervert and molester. He told me there was nothing wrong with me I was faking it! How can you fake abnormal cells.

A few months later I found another Doctor who did the test late Friday afternoon.

Next Monday I was in his office being told I had end stage changes to cells. I had cancer. Less than two days later I was in hospital.

That was all in less than twelve months.

Please for your health and sake go and have one.

Answer 8

I have a friend who didn't go often either and reminded her I was diagnosed (after a regular annual check up) with cervical cancer at 19. She got an "it can't happen to me" attitude about it so I told her exactly how it feels when they open the vagina up before surgery and insert needles directly into the cervix. Then I told her about the lovely side effects I got after my surgery, the infection from not healing properly, not being able to have sex for months, and how great biopsies feel every six months (that is, IF I don't have complications, which sometimes I do which means every few weeks getting retested). Listen to me, please please please get your annual exam. Trust me when I say it isn't the slightest bit uncomfortable compared to what happens if you get cancer. I'm now 21, in relapse, and can't bear children. Please think about what you're doing, and how easy it is to get it done. If it isn't treated the place it usually spreads to first (other than the rest of the female organs) is the lungs. It isn't lung cancer that they find but the same cells as cervical cancer and it's called something like 'migrated cervical cancer' or something like that, then it spreads from your lungs on. Get checked it can save your life and your future.

Answer 9

My mother had 11 kids, 68 years old, and has never had a pap smear nor a mammogram. She has never taken any medication for the "change of life." Has entered a hospital for herself only 11 times and that was to give birth. Please make sure you keep your appointment this week.

God bless.

My mom is just one of the lucky ones who is in good health and a great family history of good health and long life. We are not all that lucky so please be good to yourself and make and keep all medical appointments.

Answer 10

a pap is every two years that should be done. the longest i went without one was 7 years but finally had one done, i hate doctors that's why.