Hello there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear you feel pressurised to take part in cervical screening programme.

Everyone with a cervix is offered screening from the age of 25 regardless of sexuality or sexual experiences and whilst it is encouraged it is each persons decision whether to have it or not.

I imagine it would feel very uncomfortable and intrusive for someone who hasn't had sex. You may wish to talk this through again with one of the practice nurses or a female GP and after an informed discussion to make a decision. If you decide no for now in the future if you change your mind or you become sexually active you would still be able to ask to be put back on the screening list.

Cervical screening is all about prevention. It is about picking up abnormality at an early stage where it can be monitored or treated until it returns to normal. Most but not all abnormal cells that occur in the cervix are caused by high risk strains of the human papilloma virus hpv. Hpv is passed through any intimate skin to skin contact so people don't necessarily need to have had sexual intercourse to have come in contact with it but if someone hasn't even had intimacy in this way the risk of having hpv would be extremely unlikely.

As I say do talk to a doctor or nurse about this so they can discuss what your risk may be so you can have some peace over your decision.

I hope this helps,

Take care

Naomi