To read into this

[Okurrrrr]

Had smear test today (am mid 20s) and nurse comented that it was my first one (it was)

She then asked if I was on contraception and when I said said was that because I wasn’t sexual active rather than trying to conceive

She then asked if I had ever been sexually active... as if I hadn’t there was no need for a smear

I felt really awkward about it all even though I know it wasn’t meant offensively...

Would anyone else feel similar

Sorry typing on phone.

Should say she asked if it was because I wasn’t sexually actively rather than trying to conceive

Surely there are lots of people out there who aren’t on hormonal contraception but use condoms anyway? So seems to be reaching to say you’re not on contraception is that because you’re not sexually active :a

I'm not sure it would bother me.

She then asked if I had ever been sexually active... as if I hadn’t there was no need for a smear

Hmm. Good luck to anyone who isn't sexually active trying to get off the smear test list. It took me three years to stop them sending me admonitory letters after my cervix was removed.

'Yes, fine ... go ahead and take a smear from the cervix I no longer have' .

I was never on hormonal contraception in the days when I had a cervix and it was never queried. But I don't think I'd be offended by a HCP asking me a question that was relevant to my health, as this would be.

Yes I understand, just thought it was quite a reach to go from are you currently on contraception to have you ever been sexually active

Wouldn't bother me at all. At least the smear is connected to sexual activity in a way.

Now, the GP that kept pushing the pill on me , regardless of what my appt was for , did piss me off.

I wouldn't be bothered by her comment, she was just doing her job which is to help make sure you're having safe sex if you're sexually actively.

If you're on the pill but not in a long term relationship she'd probably have advised you to use condoms too.

As this is your first smear it might have been a bit strange for her to ask you about your sex life but it's perfectly normal and something you'll generally be asked whenever you go.

It's also not a reach to go from are you using contraception to have you ever been sexually active. She's just trying to gauge how best to support you.

It's useful for her to know if you might need a smaller speculum if you've never had penetrative sex, if you might be nervous or scared of having the speculum inside you, if you need the smear at all, if she needs to advise you on the ways to reduce HPV transmission risk when you did become sexually active...loads of reasons. Totally reasonable for her to ask!

She was asking because they only check for HPV now at your smear test which is sexually transmitted. So if you've never had sex, then you don't need a smear test.

@HalloHello

She was asking because they only check for HPV now at your smear test which is sexually transmitted. So if you've never had sex, then you don't need a smear test.

Exactly this.

She was simply making sure you needed the smear at all.

She was just checking if you needed to have a smear, she wasn't judging you in any way.