Im 21, and have never been to see a gynaecologist. I always thought that women after a certain age went to see these types of doctors every year, for general check ups to see that everything is fine and works ok, and for smear tests and all that. But apparently it doesn't work like that in the UK, so I'm a little confused. I read that women get a letter at the 25th birthday inviting them for a smear test (so therefore a general check up) and my question is why don't we get them before 25, and how to get them, and if we can go for these "general check ups"?