Smear test required, no sexual history?

[Scamperscamper]

Just that really. If you've never had sex or any kind of skin-to-skin sexual contact with anyone, do you need a smear test? Can you still be at risk of what they're testing for? I always thought tests weren't recommended for virgins, but I've heard the tests have changed now and I'm not sure how they're different.

Smear test are there to check the cells in the cervix and normal. Having sex or not having sex has nothing to do with this.

you may get lung cancer but never smoked - go get checked out please

Bump!

cervical cancer is sexually transmitted? You dont get it unless you have had sex. having said that, I had smear tests when I was a virgin, I just thought I might as well, and who knows how reliable the information is? This continued for several years, until I mentioned to a medical professional who was questioning me for something else that I was still a virgin, and she was quite shocked I'd had smear tests - she said it must have hurt if I was still a virgin, but I don't think it hurt me more than anyone else, maybe cos I was using tampons regularly?

Yes you do still need a smear. Have a look at cervicalscreeningaware.co.uk, which gives the answer to this question.

That's not true, the virus that causes it is primarily sexually transmitted, but not exclusively. So the risk is much lower but it's not zero.

So yes a smear is still recommended @Scamperscamper although given your reduced risk, if you have reasons to not want a smear you may make your own risk assessment.

Following because I am also interested in this. My GP doesn't test for abnormal cervical cells, they just test for HPV which as far as I know is only passed through sexual contact. They only test for abnormal cells if you are HPV positive.

I don't really see the point in going to a smear when I have never even had an opportunity to contract HPV!

well, the information I had at the time was that the risk was zero for virgins, but I had the tests anyway, just incase the information was wrong - if what you say is right, then I made the right decision at the time. Anyway, all my smear tests were completely clear, so it wouldn't have mattered if I had turned them down

I was advised by multiple HCPs that you don't need smears until you become sexually active (includes touching). Technically yes, there is theoretically a one in a million chance that you could get HPV from a door handle or something, but this is so so unlikely.

The vast majority of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. The tiny percentage that aren't won't be caught on a smear anymore, unless you are HPV positive and they do extra tests.

So no, no smears until sexually active. If you want to worry about the tiny chance of HPV from a door handle that's up to you - nothing stopping you opting in!

They only test for Hpv now and bin it if negative they don't check the cells anymore. You can buy the Hpv tests and do it yourself from superdrug.

They do only test for HPV as far as taking the cells go, but they do a visual check, too, which is how I ended up being referred for a polypectomy. It probably would have shown up symptomatically at some point down the line if I hadn't been for a smear, but because of regular smears, it was caught earlier than it otherwise would have been. So it is still worth going IMO.

HPV is sexually transmitted.

it could be transmitted by non piv sexual contact but it’s unlikely. If you’ve had no sexual contact at all it’s pointless.

like taking anti malaria medication if you aren’t leaving the uk!

Smear tests test for several infections, Many of these infections are only sexually transmitted and therefore will never appear in virgin women, but some are not. Some of these can cause cancer. Women over a certain age are more prone to cervical cancer than young woman. So while, who have never had sex are significantly less likely to have vaginal infections or cancer, it is still sensible to have smears particularly if you are over 40. Even if your chance of cervical cancer is lower, it's better to have many clear smears than cancer treatment and an early death.

When I was first called and went for a smear test I was turned away by the nurse on account of never having had any sexual activity.

I was always under the impression that they were for the "sexually active", now generally I would say it can't hurt to have one but in this case it might well actually hurt.