womens health

[stargirl]

I had a hysterectomy some time ago, my G.P. says I do not need to have smears. Is this correct?

[mccfluff]

this seems to suggest yes
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hysterectomy.htm#j

[mccfluff]

yes you do still need them rather

[shaneystar2]

I had a hysterectomy 18 years ago.They removed the uterus and cervix and I was told I didn't need smear tests because of the cervix being removed.However if you have had an abdominal hysterctomy and the cervix is still intact then you should have a smear test.
If you have ever had an abnormal smear prior to the op or if the op was for a cancerous condition then regular pelvic examination is the norm.
I was told the same thing by my GP at the time.

[larkin]

No cervix , no smears.
As shaneystar says, if cervix still intact then you will still need smears.

[beejaybee]

PLEASE keep having them. I had a hysterectomy 25 years ago & was told by my gp I did n`t need smears. My consultant suggested I did. Good thing he did as I had cancer in the vagina walls 10 years later which resulted in radiotherapy treatment. If I had not had the smears I`d probably not be hear now.

[tictactoe]

I'll 2nd and 3rd that.

I had a total hysterectomy + both ovaries removed, 12 years ago.
I have not had a smear test since.

[larkin]

which are yiou seconding tictactoe ? My consultant def. stated no more required. Smears are cervical smears, and if there is no cervix then there is nothing to take a smear from.

[tictactoe]

Hi larkin,

Typical, I posted after shaney & yourself, did not look but went straight to next Q lol (missed following thread).

No cervix - no cervical smear test !!

[beejaybee]

Smears are not just cervical smears, but can detect abnormalities in vaginal area to. You might feel ok, have no symptoms that cause concern, but it does NOT mean that you are ok. As I previously said I know from experience.

[tictactoe]

I can understand your concern beejaybee, but was given this advice/knowledge by my GP (at the time), consultant at hospital and the surgery I registered with when we moved a few years later.

[larkin]

Sorry to disagree but smears are to collect cervical cells. As stated previously, without a cervix this is not posible. Did you have a total abdominal hysterectomt beejaybee or a subtotal ?

[beejaybee]

I had my womb, fallopian tubes, & 1 ovary removed.

[larkin]

Removing womb doesn't necessarily mean removing cervix . That may be why you still have to have smears.

[beejaybee]

Since my radiotherapy I do not have smears but have regular check ups.