Pap Smear... How to consult a parent about it?

[Anonymous]

Generally, girls are supposed to have their first pap test between the ages of 13 and 15. I've never had mine and i'm almost 18.
In case you didn't know, a pap test, or pap smear is a screening for cervical cancer and a checkup on a female's cervix.
The doctor inserts a thingamabob into the female's junk and the takes a sample and sends it into the lap for screening.
How do you think I should inform my mother that I'm ready for this test?
Should I just tell her, should I work up to it? How would I phrase it?
Like I said, the test should have been done years ago, and for it to be free, I need it to be done in the next 10-11 months.
I'm rather embarrassed about bringing this up.

[soneoak]

Wrong.

The information you have put in is all wrong.

No guidelines state that, and any health 'professional' that tells you that advice is 'sexually abusing' you.

Pap smears are only conducted to SCREEN for cervical cancer. It does not diagnose, therefore, it is only used on populations at risk. Cervical cancer is 99.999% always due to Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), that can not get into the vaginal canal WITHOUT a foreign body penetrating it. And usually, this foreign body is one that has to be innoculable with the virus, therefore, unless a very long finger reaches in and touch the cervix, the only other way (and most typically) would be through sexual intercourse with a penis penetrating and touching the cervix.

At risk populations, according to all health guidelines, begin at 2 years after FIRST sexual intercourse. However, if the girl is younger than 18 post 2 years, then she waits til she's 18 before she starts Pap smear. Otherwise, she can go all the way to 80 years old and never have a pap smear because she never had anything touching the cervix.

The cut-off age is now changing to 25 years due to new HPV vaccinations available. It may become completely redundant in the future as well once everyone gets the vaccine.

Therefore, NO, you can not have pap smears before the age of 18 (against the law). And no.2, you won't be asked to do one at all until you have been at least sexually active before, and only 2 years after the first time too.

So your information is wrong and erronous. And by 18 years old, you don't have to tell your mom anything thanks to mature minor principle (below 18 as well). Bring it up however you want, unless you had some foreign body stuck up there before, you're clearly wasting the health professional's time.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

You need to come out and tell your mom you need it done
my mother never got regular pap smears and she developed
female cancer that went into much more aggressive type of cancer
she passed 11/10/03 so don't listen to the lies of these girls/ guys
who tell you different they tell you all kinds of lies and when my
mom was guardian of my cousin when she was age 14 she had
her pap smear than she got on birth control cause she was dating
tell your mom the risk of what happened to my mother.

[DontDropIt]

You shouldn't be embarrassed about it. You're supposed to be able to go to your mom for these type of things :) I'm sure she's familiar with it so who's better to ask than her? Just ask her, "Hey mom, do you have a minute? What do you think about me getting a pap smear?" Simple as that. She isn't going to look at you crazily... at least I hope she doesn't lol.. You care about your health and your body and that's good!

[SarahSue87]

I had my first when I was 21, hah. Just say, "hey mom, I think I should get a pap soon before I have to pay for it!" Or maybe "when do you think I should get my pap?" If you don't make it a big deal or awkward, it won't be. she's your mom! ;) good luck!

[Azara]

thats faked up if you're a virgin its painful as hell. its going to rip your hymen. hoes do they expect to do that on a 13 year old.

[AllisonD]

I didn't get a pap smear till I was 26. Just say you would like to go to a gyno. You don't have to tell her the details.

[syd48]

In UK they won't do it until you are over 25 years.

[Jersey1]

Perhaps ask your doctor to suggest that it be scheduled as normal preventative medicine.