Tips for cervical screening

Before your appointment: 

• Ask for a call or appointment to talk through the test. You can ask for a call or appointment before your test. You can see the equipment and ask questions to help prepare for your screening. 

• Ask for the first appointment of the day. If you feel uncomfortable in waiting rooms, you can ask for the first appointment of the day. It will be quieter and there is less time for you to wait. 

• Ask to book a double appointment. Having more time before and after your screening can help you take in information. It will also give you time to process what happens. If you would find this helpful, ask your GP surgery for a double appointment. They may ask why you need a double appointment. You do not have to tell them anything you don’t want to. 

• Ask for a healthcare of a particular gender. You may feel more comfortable with a female or male healthcare doing your screening. If there is a healthcare you trust, you can ask if they are able to do it.  

• Ask to take someone you trust with you. You can ask if someone can come with you for support. It could be a friend, family member, partner or someone else. They can be in the waiting room or examination room with you. They may also be able to speak on your behalf about any worries. If this isn’t possible, you can ask if a member of staff can support you. They are called a chaperone. 

• Write down any questions you want to ask. Like asking what your healthcare can do to make the test more comfortable.  

• Use post-menopausal prescriptions. During and after menopause, the vagina can become thinner and less able to stretch. This can make the test more uncomfortable. You can ask for a prescription of vaginal oestrogen cream or pessary. Use this for two weeks and stop a week before your test. This will help make your screening more comfortable. 

• Avoid booking a cervical screening when you have your period. This can make it harder to get an accurate result. 

• Try not to use spermicide or oil-based lubricant (lube) for two days before your test. These can affect the results. 

• Wear a long skirt or dress. If you feel comfortable wearing a skirt or dress, it can help you feel more covered. You can keep it on during the test and only take off your underwear. You do get a paper sheet to cover yourself. You can also ask if you can bring a spare shawl or blanket too. 

• Plan to spend at least 30 minutes at your GP surgery. This will include waiting for your appointment. The test itself will only take a few minutes

In your appointment: 

• Talk to your healthcare about any worries. If the test is going to be hard for you, tell your healthcare professional. This can help them support you. If you don’t feel comfortable saying it out loud, try writing it down. This might be helpful if:  
  • it is your first cervical screening  
  • you feel embarrassed or worried  
  • you have had a bad experience before  
  • you have experienced anything that makes the test hard for you.  
• Ask for a smaller or larger speculum. Speculums come in different sizes. If you find the standard size too uncomfortable, you can ask for another size. 

• Put the speculum in yourself. You may feel more relaxed and comfortable putting the speculum into your vagina yourself. If you have a partner with you, you may prefer if they do it.  

• Lie in a different position. Lying on your back may feel uncomfortable for lots of reasons. You can ask to lie on your left-hand side with your knees bent. This is called the left-lateral position.  

• Ask to be referred to colposcopy. Sometimes cervical screening tests may be too painful or difficult. There are many reasons for this. It does not mean there is anything to worry about. The healthcare professional may suggest you go to a for cervical screening at a colposcopy clinic. They have more things to help with cervical screenings that are difficult or painful. 

Specialist cervical screening clinics: 

Some people prefer to go for cervical screening in a clinic that meets their needs. 

For survivors of sexual violence:

We have a more detailed guide for survivors of sexual violence, developed with The Survivors Trust:

If you have experienced sexual violence, there are some specialist clinics. The charity My Body Back has clinics in London and Glasgow. The London clinic is for people living anywhere in the UK. The Glasgow clinic is for people living in Scotland: 

For trans and non-binary people:

We have more information and advice for trans and non-binary patients:

If you are a trans man and/or non-binary person with a cervix, you may experience dysphoria around cervical screening. If you want to go for cervical screening, there are a number of specialist clinics in the UK: 

Information updated: June 2025. Next review due: June 2028