Hi Missy Sundance and thanks for posting.

The cervical screening programme is all about the prevention of cancer. It is designed to pick up abnormality at an early stage where it can either be monitored or treated until everything returns to normal.

HPV is very common and most people will have it during their lifetime.  You can have it for many years without it causing problems. For people with normal immune systems, your body will usually get rid of it within two years.  Of course it can be worrying to get this result, there is lots of information here from a website called Jo's trust which can hopefully answer many of your questions.

HPV is passed on by skin to skin contact with the genital area.  Wearing a condom can reduce the risk but it will not protect you fully as it does not cover the skin around the genitals.  There isn't much information about whether couples reinfect each other, but it is possible that this could happen.

The advice about sex before a colposcopy is that people avoid it for 24 hours before their procedure.  There is more information about getting ready for your appointment here which you may find helpful.

I hope this answers your questions, please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  We also have a Freephone 0808 800 4040 run by nurses, the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care 

Rachel