As a 25year old i have just received a letter for cervical smear test. I was talking to someone because i was wondering if i should still go for one as a virgin. The letter says contact your doctor. I spoke to nhs direct and they said i should still go for one as cancer may be caused by other causes other than sexually transmitted.
I was also worried about the pain but they said there should be no pain because the hymen is normally lost when younger and if you had a hymen you wouldnt have periods because it wouldnt be able to get ot of your body? Is this true?? Im sure i read you can still have periods with an intact hymen because there is a small gap for it to escape!
Im also getting the private hpv vaccine so surely the chances of cervical cancer are greatly reduced, obviously i should still go for a smear test but i was thinking of delaying it until i am sexually active.
What do you think?
2007-11-24 11:32:50 · 12 answers · asked by MysticMaiden2000 3 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Its now raised to 25 in the uk, i am on yahoo answers uk so assuming people are from the uk.
2007-11-24 11:38:09 · update #1
yes i am getting gardasil now, have had my first shot today. last shot finishes in 6 months. Ive read it is virtually unknown for nuns to have cervical cancer so surely sex is a main cause. What are the other causes? i dont smoke.
2007-11-24 11:45:11 · update #2
If you have never had any sexual contact with another person, ever, there is no need to have a smear test. Smear tests check for cell abnormalities that could lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV which is an STD. If you are completely virginal there's virtually no chance of HPV, and therefore, virtually no chance of cervical cancer. The reason why we advise women to start getting smears at 25 (or 21 in the US) is that we assume sexual activity by that age and because some doctors and patients are embarrassed talking about sex, so it's easier to link screening to age rather than initiation of sexual activity.
Getting the HPV vaccine before sexual activity, as you are doing, is a great idea as well.
2007-11-24 15:40:41 · answer #1 · answered by Riveting Rosie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off you CAN still have a menstrual cycle with an intact hymen. That is a misconception. Secondly you CAN contract the virus that causes cervical cancer without sexual intercourse. It is important to have your annual checks even though you are a virgin. The exam is really not as painful as you might imagine but the best course of action would be to simply sit down with you Gynecologist and discuss it with him or her. He/She may feel that it IS unnecessary for you to go through the entire pap smear and then you would have nothing to worry about. But at least you were able to sit down and get your questions answered by someone who can give you ALL of the information that you may need or want. It is better to be armed with the correct knowledge than misinformed my incorrect information. There are millions of women who have become pregnant or infected by STDs by misinformation. Good luck!
2007-11-24 11:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by D D 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think you should get it done. You can still get cervical cancer whether sexually active or not. In fact it wasn't too long ago it was the #1 killer of women under 50, now it's like #7. You're 25, I don't think you should be all that concerned with your hymen, making sure your cervix is healthy is way more important that having an intact hymen, and I think that's what they were trying to get at by telling you all that.
2007-11-24 11:42:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Gardisil protects against 3 types of HPV (human papilloma virus) that have been shown to cause cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Even with Gardisil, you can still get HPV or cervical cancer, even though the chances are reduced.
If you abstain, then obviously your chances of getting cervical cancer are lower due to no chances of getting HPV. It is still important to get a cervical smear test (or PAP smear) because cervical cancer can be caused by other factors unrelated to an STI.
Also to answer your question about the hymen, it is common for the hymen to not be intact even in women who have never engaged in sexual intercourse. It can be commonly broken by tampon use or physical activity (in sports, for example).
2007-11-24 11:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by heckyesh1 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ok first off you have to get the guardisil shots ( HPV shots ) BEFORE you have sex while you a re still a virgin and it is a series of three shots so get that NOW and secondly, yes you still need a pap smear and pelvic exam even if you are still a virgin when you are an adult woman. Also, yes you hymen can still be intact and yes periods can still get through it. An exam does not hurt anything like losing your virginity... Trust me, I had one when I was still a virgin, no big deal ( and my hymen was intact and remained intact after the exam ( it's not like they pry you so far open the hae to stick thier heads in there...lol)
2007-11-24 11:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, you should still have your pap smear done. Virgins are not immune to getting HPV. Also, a woman can still have her period whether the hymen is broken or not. The flow will still be able to get out of the body.
In the U.S. (giving an example, and not sure which country you are from) women start getting their paps at either age 18 or 21 or whenever they become sexually active whichever comes first. I don't know if where you are from they have similar guidelines.
2007-11-24 11:41:31 · answer #6 · answered by sokokl 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Definitely get the test. I did when i was a virgin and it wasn't painful at all. These people are professionals and are gentle and understanding (especially if it's your first).
Your hymen has nothing to do with getting your period. The person who told you that doesn't know what they're talking about. You get your period when your ovaries start releasing eggs and they aren't fertilized. The uterine lining is then shed and released. If your body didn't release the blood you would become sick.
2007-11-24 11:44:55 · answer #7 · answered by Perla 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think that you should have the smear! If you wait and something is wrong you will be kicking yourself. They start theses tests at certain ages for a reason. Sex or no sex you should do it better safe than sorry!
2007-11-24 11:37:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think you should.
It's not painful at all. Just a little awkward, and sometimes a little uncomfortable.
But I definitely think you should, just to have a record, and so you know.
2007-11-24 11:37:24 · answer #9 · answered by Allora 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
apparently u should start cervical smear tests at 18 sexually active or not
2007-11-24 11:36:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋