Screenings for lesbian, gay and bisexual people

The usual screenings, on schedule

Screening ages and intervals follow age, sex, the organs a person has and their risk, not sexual orientation. Two that apply to most adults: the USPSTF recommends HIV screening for everyone 15 to 65 (USPSTF, 2019 HIV) and hepatitis C screening for all adults 18 to 79. (USPSTF, 2020 hepatitis C) The full list is on screenings by age and gender.

Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men

HIV and STI tests. UKHSA advises gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men to test for HIV and other STIs at least annually, and every 3 months if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners. (UKHSA, 2025) NICE NG60 recommends the same intervals. (NICE NG60, 1.2.6) The USPSTF says clinicians may wish to screen high-risk men who have sex with men more often, for example every 3 or 6 months. (USPSTF, 2019 HIV) MedlinePlus lists gay and bisexual men among groups with a higher risk of HIV. (MedlinePlus, HIV) More: HIV screening and HIV test results.
Syphilis. The USPSTF recommends screening people at increased risk, names men who have sex with men among them, and says they may benefit from screening at least annually, or every 3 to 6 months if they continue to be at high risk. (USPSTF, 2022 syphilis) More: syphilis screening.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea. The USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to assess screening in men, and lists studies in men who have sex with men and the LGBTQ+ community as a research need. (USPSTF, 2021 chlamydia) More: chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and STI test results.
Hepatitis B. The USPSTF recommends screening adolescents and adults at increased risk, lists men who have sex with men as a risk group, and suggests periodic screening for people with continued risk, with frequency left to clinical judgment. (USPSTF, 2020 hepatitis B) More: hepatitis B screening and hepatitis B test results.
Anal cancer. ACS says men who have sex with men, regardless of HIV status, might benefit from screening. (ACS, anal) The IANS 2024 guidelines recommend starting at 35 for men who have sex with men with HIV and at 45 for those without HIV. (IANS, 2024) More: anal cancer screening.

Lesbian and bisexual women

Cervical screening is for you. NHS England says all individuals aged 25 to 64 who have a cervix should consider cervical screening, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that nearly all cervical cancers are linked to HPV, which is passed on through any type of sexual activity, including sexual activity between women. (NHS England, 2021)
If you are told you do not need it. NHS England says only women who have never had any sexual activity at all may be told their risk is extremely low, and even then a woman should not be refused screening if she is due. (NHS England, 2021)
Missed screening. NHS England notes research suggesting lesbian and bisexual women are more likely than heterosexual women never to have been screened. (NHS England, 2021)

Ages, intervals and tests: cervical cancer screening and Pap smear: what to expect.

Mental health

The USPSTF recommends depression screening in all adults and anxiety screening in adults 64 or younger, and lists the effect of screening in populations defined by sexual orientation and gender identity as an evidence gap. (USPSTF, 2023 depression)(USPSTF, 2023 anxiety) More: mental health screenings by age, depression screening and anxiety screening.

When to talk to a doctor

NHS England's guide for lesbian and bisexual women says cervical cancer can start to develop between screening tests, and to look out for anything that is unusual for you, especially: (NHS England, 2021)

bleeding between your periods, during or after sex, or after the menopause
changes to vaginal discharge

"If you have any of these changes, do not wait for your next cervical screening appointment. Speak to your GP for advice."

Where they differ:

How often to test for HIV. UKHSA and NICE set at least once a year, and every 3 months with new or casual partners and no condoms. (UKHSA, 2025)(NICE NG60, 1.2.6) The USPSTF leaves the interval to clinicians, giving every 3 or 6 months as an example for high-risk men who have sex with men. (USPSTF, 2019 HIV)
STI tests for men. UKHSA and NICE advise STI tests for men who have sex with men at least once a year. (UKHSA, 2025)(NICE NG60, 1.2.6) The USPSTF found the evidence insufficient for chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in men. (USPSTF, 2021 chlamydia)
Anal cancer. The USPSTF topic is inactive and the UK NSC has archived it as outside its remit, since anal cancer is overwhelmingly confined to high-risk groups. (USPSTF, anal)(UK NSC, anal) IANS recommends screening for men who have sex with men from 45, or from 35 with HIV. (IANS, 2024)

Your doctor decides what your result means for you.

Questions people ask

Do lesbian women need cervical screening?

Yes. NHS England says all individuals aged 25 to 64 who have a cervix should consider cervical screening, regardless of sexual orientation, because HPV can be passed on through any type of sexual activity, including sexual activity between women. (NHS England, 2021)

How often should gay and bisexual men have an HIV test?

UKHSA and NICE say men who have sex with men should have HIV and STI tests at least once a year, and every 3 months if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners. The USPSTF says clinicians may wish to screen high-risk men who have sex with men more often, for example every 3 or 6 months. (UKHSA, 2025) (NICE NG60, 1.2.6) (USPSTF, 2019 HIV)

Is syphilis screening different for men who have sex with men?

The USPSTF recommends syphilis screening for people at increased risk and says men who have sex with men may benefit from screening at least once a year, or every 3 to 6 months if they continue to be at high risk. (USPSTF, 2022 syphilis)

Should gay and bisexual men have anal cancer screening?

There is no USPSTF recommendation in force, and the UK NSC has archived the topic. ACS lists men who have sex with men among people who might benefit from screening, and the IANS 2024 guidelines start at 45 for men who have sex with men without HIV and at 35 for those with HIV. (USPSTF, anal) (UK NSC, anal) (ACS, anal) (IANS, 2024)

Do the usual age-based screenings still apply?

Yes. The age-based recommendations for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancers and other conditions apply by age, sex and risk, not by sexual orientation. For example, the USPSTF recommends hepatitis C screening for all adults 18 to 79. (USPSTF, 2020 hepatitis C)