Not sure?
You might wonder whether you should have cervical screening tests given your particular circumstances, or if you should have them more often.
If you are breastfeeding
You can still have a screening test if you are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding does not affect your test. You may find having the test is a little uncomfortable. This is because breastfeeding can affect your hormone levels. You can discuss ways of making it more comfortable for you with the doctor or nurse taking the test.
Wait for at least 3 months after you have given birth to have a test unless you have been told otherwise. Please read the content on pregnancy and cervical screening for more information.
If you have had a hysterectomy
You may need to continue to have cervical screening tests if:
- you have had a subtotal hysterectomy (your uterus was removed) and you still have a cervix
- changes in the cells in your cervix were detected before you had a hysterectomy
- there were cell changes on your cervix at the time of your hysterectomy
- the hysterectomy was for treating cervical abnormalities (cancer or pre-cancerous conditions)
- the histology of the cervix is not available (histology is the study of the cells and tissue)
Talk to your GP. They will tell you if you need a cervical screening test.
If you are unsure what type of hysterectomy you had, ask your GP or gynaecologist.
CervicalCheck cannot tell you if you should have cervical screening after having a hysterectomy. They do not have access to your medical history. It is up to you to find this information out.
Total hysterectomy
If you have had a total hysterectomy due to cervical cancer or another medical condition, your GP can advise whether you still need to have screening tests. A total hysterectomy means that both the uterus and cervix have been removed. In most cases, this means you will no longer take part in the cervical screening programme.
However, if abnormal cells were found before your hysterectomy, you might need a different type of test. Your doctor will let you know when this should be done. This test involves taking a sample from the top of your vagina, known as a vault smear
We recommend you read the cervical screening and hysterectomy article also.
If you are living with HIV
If you are living with HIV, you should have screening tests every year until age 65.
You should have a cervical screening test within a year of your HIV diagnosis.
If you are having or have had an organ transplant
You should have a screening test in the 12 months before your transplant. For example, if you are having a kidney, liver, heart, lung or pancreas transplant.
After your transplant, you should have screening tests every year until age 65.
If you have kidney failure
You should have a cervical screening test shortly after you have been diagnosed with kidney failure.
If you are on dialysis, you should have screening tests every year until age 65.
If you have a weak immune system
In most cases, you do not need to have cervical screening more often if you:
- have an autoimmune condition
- take immunosuppressive medicine
But if you are HIV positive you may need screening more often (see above).
If you have not had sexual contact for a long time
You should go for cervical screening when it is due even if your last sexual contact was a long time ago. This is because HPV can be dormant (sleeping) in your body.
Sexual contact includes:
- any skin-to-skin contact of your genital area by someone else
- touching someone else’s genital area and then touching your own
- vaginal, oral or anal sex
- sharing sex toys
Irrespective of your sexual activity it is an excellent opportunity for a medical care professional to get the opportunity to see how your vulvovaginal health is.
Trans men and cervical screening
If you are age 25 to 65 and have a cervix you should attend cervical screening. You may need to continue to have cervical screening even if you had a hysterectomy. Talk to your GP. They will tell you if you should continue to have cervical screening.
When trans men with a cervix will be invited for cervical screening
If you are registered with the Department of Social Protection as female, you should receive invitation letters to make an appointment for cervical screening. If you have a cervix, you should attend.
Gender recognition certificate
If you have a gender recognition certificate and you are registered with the Department of Social Protection as male, you can still have cervical screening. Talk to your GP.
Information:
If you are registered with the Department of Social Protection as male, you will not receive invitation letters but you can still have cervical screening. Talk to your GP.
Acknowledgement
This page contains information based upon content from reliable sources including the HSE’s website (this link will take you to an external website).