Do you need a referral for an HPV test?

An HPV test looks for high-risk types of human papillomavirus in a sample from the cervix. It is used within cervical screening and may be combined with examination of cervical cells. The test does not diagnose every cause of pelvic or vaginal symptoms, and a positive result does not by itself mean cancer.

A screening service may invite or book you without a specialist referral. If you have symptoms such as bleeding after sex, unusual bleeding, persistent discharge or pelvic pain, the clinician may arrange an examination and additional tests rather than treating the request as routine screening.

Ask the clinic whether it provides HPV testing, whether a referral is needed and whether you should book screening or a gynaecology assessment. Tell them about pregnancy, recent cervical procedures, previous abnormal results and any current symptoms.

Follow the clinic's preparation instructions. At the appointment, a clinician takes a cervical sample and explains how results will be reported. Keep the result and ask what follow-up is recommended if HPV is detected or the sample cannot be interpreted.

Contact a clinician promptly for bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, persistent unusual discharge or pelvic pain. Do not wait for a routine screening appointment when symptoms are present; the appropriate assessment may be different from an HPV test alone.

Ask whether you need routine screening or symptom assessment, whether a referral is required, how the sample is collected and when results are expected. If a result is positive, ask what follow-up test or examination is recommended.