• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• Vaccinated women
• Pregnant women
• Older women
• After hysterectomy
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
• Culturally and linguistically diverse women
• Women with disabilities
• Lesbians
• Victim/survivors of sexual assault
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Cervical cancer

Lesbians

Lesbians also need Pap tests, as HPV can also be passed on through genital-skin to genital-skin contact between women.

A recent study showed that 22% of lesbians surveyed had received a Pap test result indicating cell changes in the cervix. Over time these changes can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. Lesbians have the same risk of cervical cancer as heterosexual women.

Having a Pap test is not always easy for lesbians, as community acceptance and recognition of lesbians and lesbian relationships is not always apparent. There are a number of issues that lesbians may face in accessing Pap tests:

Finding a suitable practitioner

Finding access to a practitioner who is knowledgeable and understanding of lesbian health issues may be difficult.

For a comprehensive list of organisations that may be able to help you please download our brochure Lesbians need Pap tests too [pdf 247K].

What to tell your doctor

The choice to disclose information about your sexuality is yours, so don't feel you have to do this. However, it may result in a better and more informed healthcare experience.

If you choose to disclose your sexuality, decide whether you want it recorded or not, as other practitioners could have access to your medical records. Practitioners are required by law to protect your confidentiality and maintain your privacy.

You may be asked questions such as "Are you sexually active?" and "What form of contraception are you using?" The assumption that all women are heterosexual can be uncomfortable, so think about how you want to answer these questions. Choosing a good practitioner is important, as they will usually use language that acknowledges diversity.

Avoiding discrimination

Health practitioners are encouraged to take a sensitive approach to taking a sexual history and performing pelvic examinations, and are generally informed about lesbian health issues.

Occasionally a woman may have a bad experience when having a Pap test. If this happens to you, remember that you can stop the test at any time or leave at any point during the consultation.

It's unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation or status as a same-sex couple (Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995). You can contact the Health Service Commissioner if you have a complaint. If you've had a bad experience but don't want to make a complaint, talk it over with friends or with someone who can offer you support.

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