The Pap smear is a simple, quick, and relatively painless screening test that is done to detect the presence of cancerous or pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. Having regular Pap smears is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. To understand how to prepare for the exam and learn more about what it involves, read on.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Pap test
Step 1. Make sure your appointment doesn't coincide with your period
When planning your visit, make sure it doesn't overlap with your next period. In fact, blood can interfere with the test results, making it less accurate.
- However, if any unexpected bleeding or loss occurs right before your visit, you don't need to cancel the appointment.
- The gynecologist will evaluate the amount of blood and decide if you can have the Pap smear or if you need to reschedule it for another day.
Step 2. Avoid doing anything that could compromise your Pap smear results
In the 24 - 48 hours prior to the exam, it is important to avoid carrying out any activity or putting anything on or around the vagina that could affect the test results. So avoid the following:
- Having sexual intercourse.
- Take a bath.
- Use tampons.
- Do vaginal douches (should never be done).
- Apply vaginal creams or lotions.
Step 3. Remember to empty your bladder before going to the appointment
The Pap test involves inserting an instrument into the vagina and the doctor could press on the lower part of the abdomen. So it's a good idea to avoid drinking too much fluids before your visit and make sure your bladder is empty.
Step 4. Prepare to undress from the waist down
You must remove your pants or skirt and underwear before performing the exam.
- Sometimes you are given a gown to wear for the duration of the visit, or you will simply be asked to take off the lower half's clothing.
- Normally, you are given a sheet or towel to put over your intimate area and thighs so you don't feel completely exposed.
Part 2 of 3: Know what to expect
Step 1. Lie on the table and put your feet on the stirrups
In order for the doctor to perform the examination, you need to lie down on the table and rest your feet on the metal brackets.
- The stirrups have the function of keeping the legs apart and the knees flexed, so that the doctor has a clear view of your vagina throughout the procedure.
- If you are not sure how to put your feet correctly, ask your doctor who will gladly help you.
Step 2. Expect your doctor to do a physical exam first
Before getting the Pap smear, the gynecologist will do a check of your vulva (the outer lips of the vagina).
- This test is important to check for HPV (human papilloma virus), a sexually transmitted disease, which is the most common cause of abnormal Pap test results.
- Symptoms of this infection include genital warts and post-coital bleeding. If left untreated, HPV can cause cervical cancer.
Step 3. Take deep breaths and try to relax
Before and during the Pap smear, your doctor will ask you to focus on deep breaths.
- This helps to relax the abdomen, legs and vaginal muscles, allowing the doctor to insert the speculum more easily.
- If this is your first Pap smear, focusing on your breathing will also help you stay calm and feel less nervous before and during the exam.
Step 4. Let the doctor insert the lubricated speculum into the vagina
Once the physical examination is finished, the gynecologist gently inserts the speculum to perform the actual sampling.
- The speculum is a metal or plastic device that opens the walls of the vagina and allows you to examine the cervix for any abnormalities.
- When the speculum is positioned correctly, the doctor uses a small toothbrush (called cytobrush in English) to take samples from the walls of the cervix.
Step 5. Be prepared for the fact that you will experience some discomfort during the procedure
When the speculum expands and samples are taken from the cervix, some women experience some pain, similar to menstrual cramps. Other women, on the other hand, do not feel any discomfort.
At the end of the examination, slight bleeding or some loss may occur, but it is completely normal and will stop quickly
Step 6. Now the doctor places the cell samples on a glass slide
Once the cell samples have been collected from the walls of the cervix, the gynecologist places them on a glass slide for analysis.
- The whole procedure takes only three to five minutes. When the doctor finishes the sample, he removes the speculum and you can take your feet off the stirrups and start dressing.
- The cell samples will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. You will be notified of the results as soon as they are ready.
Part 3 of 3: Understanding the Pap smear
Step 1. Know why this exam is needed
The Pap test is a screening test, which means that it is a diagnostic investigation that requires a large number of healthy people to be analyzed in order to identify a small number of people with abnormal cells. Samples collected during a Pap smear are examined under a microscope for pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.
- The Pap smear is a simple and effective test for detecting the early signs of cervical cancer. This is an important test, as cervical cancer can be completely cured with simple treatment if it is diagnosed early.
- Later stages of cervical cancer require more aggressive treatment, such as hysterectomy and radiation therapy. Since there is still no news regarding the search for an HPV vaccine, the main approach to this type of cancer remains early detection and treatment.
Step 2. Determine if you need a Pap smear
This test is recommended for all women from the age of 21. If the results of the first Pap test are normal and the HPV is negative, you are considered low risk and will simply have to retake the exam every 3 years.
- Women over the age of 40 have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, so if you are over 40 and have never had a Pap smear, you need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
- Keep in mind that the Pap smear does not detect other forms of cancer, such as that of the ovaries or uterus. Therefore, an annual gynecological examination should be performed to assess the overall health of the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and pelvis.
- The only women who do not need regular Pap smears are those who have no previous history of cervical dysplasia and have had a hysterectomy with cervical removal.
Step 3. Be aware of what the abnormal results might mean for your health
When a Pap smear is positive, additional follow-up tests are required. The next step depends on your accurate test results, the results of your previous Pap smears, and any risk factors you may have for cervical cancer.
- If the cells are identified as cancerous or pre-cancerous, the doctor evaluates the most suitable treatment. If the disease is diagnosed early, a simple therapy of HPV immunization drugs may be sufficient to eliminate the cancerous cells. The drug that is most often prescribed is called Gardasil.
- If the cancer is more advanced, more extreme treatments such as radiation therapy or a hysterectomy are needed.
