m+ Life: Why Cervical Screening Matters More Than You Think
Let’s be honest: cervical screening rarely feels urgent. Whether you’re deep in trenches of motherhood, navigating fertility treatment, or simply trying to keep up with the day to day, it’s likely the one thing that easily falls to the bottom of the list.
However, that quick, slightly awkward appointment could have a powerful impact on your future wellbeing. If you’ve ever wondered when to go, why it matters, or how it connects to fertility, you’re not alone.
With Cervical Screening Awareness Week taking place in June, this is a timely reminder to pause, take stock, and book the appointment that’s easy to put off but vital to your long-term health and fertility.
To help demystify things, we spoke with Dr Jyoti Taneja, Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Specialist in Reproductive Medicine at Avenues to find out more.
What Is Cervical Screening and Why Is It So Important?
Cervical screening (commonly called a smear test) is a preventative health check that looks for signs of:
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – a common virus that can cause changes in cervical cells
Abnormal cervical cells – which, if untreated, can develop into cervical cancer
It’s not a test for cancer, but it is a powerful tool for spotting early warning signs — especially if you're thinking about having children now or in the future.
Even if you had the HPV vaccine as a teenager, you still need to be screened. As Dr Taneja explains, “The HPV vaccine offers excellent protection, but it doesn’t cover all types of the virus. Screening is still essential for catching any changes early.”
Fertility, Pregnancy and the Cervix: What’s the Connection?
Cervical health is more than just a tick box exercise, it’s closely tied to your fertility and pregnancy outcomes. If HPV or abnormal cells go untreated, they can make it harder to conceive, increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, and even affect how successful assisted fertility treatments like IVF might be.
Treatment for abnormal cells — such as LLETZ or a cone biopsy — can sound daunting, but for most women, there’s no long term impact on fertility. “In some cases, these treatments can slightly weaken the cervix or increase risks in future pregnancies,” says Dr Taneja, “but treating problems early is always safer than letting them progress.”
When Should You Book a Smear Test?
If you’re currently undergoing fertility treatment or planning IVF, speak to your clinic or GP about the best time to screen. For everyone else, the NHS screening programme is a good guide which is currently every 3 to 5 years depending on your age.
But what if you’ve just had a baby or you’re still breastfeeding? Dr Taneja recommends waiting at least 12 weeks postpartum before booking your test: “This allows the cervix time to fully heal and return to its pre-pregnancy state, which is important for accurate results.”
If you’re breastfeeding when your next test is due, you should still attend just let your nurse or GP know. “Hormonal changes can sometimes make the cervix appear different, but your clinician will take this into account when managing your screening.”
And if you’re not due a test yet? Don’t rush to book just because you’ve had a baby stick to the national schedule unless you’ve been advised otherwise.
After Loss: A Small But Empowering Step
For women who’ve experienced miscarriage or pregnancy loss, the idea of a smear test can feel emotionally loaded or completely irrelevant, but it can also be a small, grounding step toward healing.
“After loss, many women want reassurance about their reproductive health,” says Dr Taneja. “While cervical screening doesn’t assess fertility directly, it can help identify early changes that could impact future pregnancies.”
It’s also an act of self-care. In a time that can feel chaotic or unpredictable, attending a smear test can offer a small but meaningful sense of control. If you’re feeling unsure, speak openly with your GP or nurse, they’re there to support both your physical and emotional health.
Your Cervix, Your Future
Cervical screening isn’t dramatic, it takes ten minutes in total. No, it won’t give you instant answers about your fertility, but it is one of the most important, proactive steps you can take to protect your long term health.
Whether you’re trying to conceive, adjusting to life after birth, or simply managing the invisible mental load of being a woman in her 30s or 40s it is worth remembering that you and your health matter.
Many thanks to Dr Jyoti Taneja FRCOG DFSRH. Consultant O&G, Specialist Reproductive Medicine & Surgery at Avenues. Dr Jyoti is a highly regarded consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, specialising in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. Her expertise spans complex fertility cases for all genders, focusing on recurrent miscarriage, reproductive immunology and implantation failures. Dr Jyoti leverages advanced technologies including AI and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), to enhance IVF outcomes.