It is best not to have intercourse for three days before or after the cervical cancer screening, and it is best to have the screening three to seven days after menstruation, as well as not to use vaginal medication for 48 hours before the screening. Cervical cancer screening includes human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and liquid-based thin-layer cytology (LBT) testing, both of which are performed by scraping the cervix through the cervical opening with a cervical swab. If you have intercourse or are on the pill before the screening test, it can cause errors in the results. It is also important not to screen during menstruation as it can lead to retrograde infections and the blood can also affect the results. Secondly, screening may cause a little bleeding and it is best to have intercourse after 3 to 5 days to avoid infection.