---
title: Why We Require An Up-To-Date CST
description: Patients need an up to date CST before fertility treatment
---

[Fertility News](https://news.flindersfertility.com.au)

# [Why We Require An Up-To-Date CST](https://news.flindersfertility.com.au/why-we-require-an-up-to-date-cst)

 Written by [Flinders Fertility](https://news.flindersfertility.com.au/author/flinders-fertility) | May 29, 2025 3:24:19 AM

Your health and safety are our top priorities. As part of our commitment to providing high-quality fertility care, we require an **up-to-date Cervical Screening Test (CST)** result before proceeding with treatment.

**What is a CST?**

The Cervical Screening Test (CST) is the current method used in Australia to screen for **human papillomavirus (HPV)**, the virus that causes most cervical cancers. It has replaced the Pap smear and is typically recommended **every five years** for individuals aged 25 to 74.

**Why It Matters for Fertility Treatment**

- **Protecting Your Health**: The CST helps detect early changes in cervical cells that could lead to cancer. Ensuring your screening is current allows us to identify and manage any abnormalities **before** starting fertility treatment.
- **Treatment Readiness**: Fertility procedures, especially those involving hormonal stimulation or cervical access (like IUI or embryo transfer), require a **healthy cervix**. An up-to-date CST confirms there are no underlying issues that could interfere with your treatment or compromise your reproductive health.
- **Compliance with National Guidelines**: As a licensed medical provider, we follow **national cervical screening and fertility guidelines**. Requiring a current CST aligns with these standards and ensures we offer care that is both ethical and evidence-based.

**When Should You Provide It?**

If you’re planning fertility treatment with us, please ensure your CST result is **less than 5 years old** and **clear of any abnormalities**. If you’re unsure when your last screening was, we recommend contacting your GP or arranging a test prior to your initial consultation.

### Where Can You Get a CST Done?

You can have a Cervical Screening Test done through several accessible options:

- **Your GP**: Most general practices offer CST appointments and can send your results directly to you and your referring specialist.
- **Women’s Health Clinics**: Local sexual health and women’s health clinics also provide CST services, often with female practitioners if preferred.
- **Self-Collection:** If you're eligible, you can choose to collect your sample using a self-collection kit. This method is just as accurate as a doctor-collected sample for detecting HPV. Self-collection is now widely available—[SHINE SA](https://shinesa.org.au/telehealth-cervical-screening/) offers a free telehealth appointment to assess your eligibility and provide access to the kit, or you can request one directly from your GP if you prefer.

[View full post](https://news.flindersfertility.com.au/why-we-require-an-up-to-date-cst)

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