The short explanation
Yes, and there are two different people you might mean. A chaperone is a member of staff present during an intimate examination — professional guidance says one should be offered, and you can ask for one whatever the clinician's sex. A companion is somebody you bring, and you can usually bring one, though where they may stand and whether they stay for the examination varies.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Ask for a chaperone when you book as well as on the day. In a busy outpatient department finding a free member of staff takes a few minutes, and a request made at the door is more likely to be met with an apology than with a chaperone.
- You can also ask for the opposite: for someone who came with you to wait outside for part of the visit. If there is something you want to say without your mother, your husband or your mother-in-law hearing it, telling the clinician at the start that you would like a few minutes alone is an ordinary request and most will make room for it.
- If a chaperone is present, they are there for the examination, not to take part in the consultation. You can still ask for the conversation to be private.
- If you are not comfortable and no chaperone is available, it is reasonable to ask to come back. An examination that can wait a week is not an examination that has to happen now.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot promise that a chaperone will be available where you are going. Staffing decides that, and only the place you are attending can tell you.
- This describes what professional guidance recommends. It cannot tell you what any particular clinic's policy is.
- This explanation was written by AskHer's editorial team from the guidance listed under Sources. A clinician registered in India has not signed this version off yet — that is why no clinical reviewer is named at the foot of this page, and it is why nothing here is a diagnosis.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Can I have a chaperone for the examination, please?
- Can my sister come in with me, and can she stay for the examination or only the conversation?
- I would like a few minutes on my own with you before we bring anyone else in.
- If no chaperone is free today, can we do the examination at another appointment?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- you are in a situation where you feel unsafe or are being pressured — say so to any member of staff; you can also ask to speak to someone alone
Book an appointment soon
- you have something to say that you cannot say in front of whoever comes with you
- you were examined without a chaperone after asking for one
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Patient information leaflets Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Cervical screening NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off. That is what the “Editorially reviewed” badge means, and why it does not say “Clinically reviewed”. It was written and checked by AskHer’s editorial team against the sources listed above, and it is queued for a clinician who works in this area.
- Review status
- Editorially reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Last reviewed 23 August 2026
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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