How often do you really need a Pap smear?
- a pap test every 3 years, or
- an HPV test every 5 years, or
- a pap test and HPV test together (called co-testing) every 5 years.
Do you still need a Pap smear after menopause?
The short and simple answer for most women is yes. For those over 50 who have just entered menopause, It is recommended that you receive a pap test once every three years. However, this is mostly if you have had normal pap smear results three years in a row and you have no history of a pre-cancerous pap smear result.
Do you still need a Pap smear?
It depends. Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a routine screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. If you had a partial hysterectomy — when the uterus is removed but the lower end of the uterus (cervix) remains — your health care provider will likely recommend continued Pap tests.
How long does bleeding last after a Pap test?
If bleeding after a Pap smear is from normal causes, such as a cervical scratch, the bleeding should stop within a few hours. Spotting may last up to two days, but the bleeding will become lighter.
What Causes Bleeding After a Pap Smear?
Hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills, elevates your hormone levels and causes your cervix to become more sensitive, making bleeding more likely. Vaginal infections, such as STIs, STDs, and yeast infections , can create tenderness in the cervix and may cause bleeding after a pap smear as well.
What is a Pap Smear?
A pap smear screens for cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the cervix. Precancerous conditions or sexually transmitted infections can cause cervical cancer. To collect a sample of these cells for screening, your doctor will scrape the lining of your cervix, which is the opening of your uterus. The lining of the cervix is a sensitive area, so it is normal for a pap test to cause some reactivity, including spotting, which is typically light and resolves on its own.
What Happens During a Pap Test?
Similar to a standard pelvic exam in your gynecologist’s office, you will lay down on the exam table and place your feet in the stirrups. Your doctor will then use a speculum to widen the vaginal opening, allowing them to properly see the upper vagina and cervix to take an accurate sample of cells with a scraper or brush. This sample is sent to a lab to screen for health conditions. If abnormal cells are present, your doctor may order a second test or recommend a cervical exam and biopsy called a colposcopy.
Why does my pelvic exam hurt after a Pap smear?
Mild discomfort, bleeding, or cramping after a pap smear is to be expected because this area of our body is so sensitive! Our blood rushes to the cervix and other reproductive organs during a pap smear or pelvic exam, explaining why the irritation or bleeding may occur. On the other hand, some side effects from the screening are not normal, such as heavy bleeding or severe pain.
Can a pap smear cause bleeding?
Never assume the cause of irregular bleeding after a pap smear or in general without speaking to your doctor about your symptoms first and being examined if needed. As we mentioned before, the bleeding or spotting may be caused by pregnancy or vaginal infection as well. It is good to note that a pap smear or pelvic exam should never cause serious or debilitating pain and if you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed, promptly reach out to your physician. This test should never cause significant or debilitating pain.
Can you have a spotting after a pap smear?
You now know it is not uncommon for light bleeding or spotting to occur after the screening. Sometimes, concerning symptoms may appear after the pap smear test, including heavy bleeding or painful cramping, extended bleeding that is not concurrent with your menstrual cycle, and more. If any of these concerning symptoms appear following your appointment, we recommend consulting your physician:
Can you get a pap smear on your period?
It is normal to ask yourself questions like “can you get a pap smear on your period?” or “can I get a pap smear on the last day of my period?” And yes, you can get a pap smear on your period! It is worth noting that doing so may not be ideal if you are experiencing a heavier menstrual flow as significant amounts of blood can obscure details of the cells, making them hard to see, affecting your results. So the general rule of thumb is that pap smears during a period are completely acceptable, as long as your period is not very heavy.
What happens during a Pap test?
First things first: It helps to know exactly what happens during a Pap test. It involves taking cell samples from your cervix to look for signs of cervical cancer, as well as cellular changes (aka, precancers, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV) that indicate cancer might develop in the future.
When to do a Pap and HPV?
A Pap and/or HPV test is sometimes done during a pelvic exam, which is typically carried out as part of your annual well-woman visit. Of course, if you’re experiencing unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain, you can make an appointment for a pelvic exam at any time.
What to do if you have your period and an OB-GYN appointment coming up?
The bottom line: If you have your period and an ob-gyn appointment coming up, give your doctor's office a call to see what they'd prefer you to do, and then go from there. Depending on the timing of your period, your own comfort level, and your physician's professional opinion, some docs may suggest you still come in for your appointment, and others may suggest you try another day.
Can HPV be tested at the same time as Pap?
Sometimes, your doctor will do an HPV test at the same time as the Pap test (this is called co-testing), also by taking samples from outside the cervix. The samples are then sent to the lab for testing. woman at gynecologist watercolor background. Credit: Getty Images.
Can you get a Pap smear if you don't have your period?
If you have a regular-as-clockwork menstrual cycle (and you're super organized), it's easy enough to schedule a Pap test (aka Pap smear) for when you don't have your period. But for many people, periods don't always come right on time—and in scheduling appointment with your ob-gyn (sometimes months in advance), they can overlap. When that happens, is it OK to get a Pap test while you're on your period, or should you wait and reschedule?
Is it okay to take a pap test on your period?
Board-certified ob-gyn Angela Jones, Astroglide’s resident sexual health advisor, agrees that a Pap test on your period is totally fine—" as long as your period isn't too heavy," she tells Health.
Can you get a Pap test on your period?
As for getting a Pap test on your period, there's no reason you can' t have one , though it may not be ideal if you're experiencing a particularly heavy flow. "A lot of blood might obscure some of the details of the cells, which may make it hard to read," Mary Jane Minkin, MD, FACOG, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics at the Yale University School ...
Why do women need a Pap test?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend every sexually active woman to have a pelvic examination to rule out different medical conditions including cancer. This is especially important for women ...
What to do when your menstrual cycle changes?
Your doctor can determine what’s causing the changes and either prescribe medication or recommend treatment that will be more effective if diagnosed early. Updated on April 17, 2019.
Can a Pap smear be done during your period?
Will getting Pap smear while on your period affect your test results? Getting a Pap during your period can change the results of the test. The pH of your vagina changes slightly during your period, and the presence of blood may make it difficult for the gynecologist to collect a clean sample of cervical cells.
Can a gynecologist perform a Pap smear while on your period?
Will a gynecologist perform a Pap smear while you’re on your period? The answer is maybe, but not likely. You might be told that you need to reschedule if the appointment falls on a day when you have your period.
Do you have to come back for a Pap smear?
If this is the case, your doctor will have you come back in for a follow-up to confirm the findings and determine if additional treatment is necessary. When you schedule a gynecological exam that includes a Pap smear, most gynecologists will request that you have this exam when you do not have your period.
Can you reschedule a Pap smear?
A good sample of these cells is necessary to rule out the presence of cervical cancer. Your doctor will typically ask that you reschedule your appointment to avoid abnormal results from the Pap smear and the need to repeat the test.
What happens if a Pap is insufficient?
Usually, if a Pap is insufficient, the retest will be covered under insurance. However, insurance plans and rules vastly differ, so if you’re concerned, call your insurance company and ask about their policy so that you can avoid any surprise bills.
What do you use to look at your cervix?
If you come in on your period, your doc will place a vaginal speculum (you know, that tool that separates the walls of your vagina) into your vagina to look at your cervix. Depending on the amount of blood flow, your doc can use a large cotton swab to absorb any blood in the area, says Dr. Greves. Doing this helps doctors see inside to check ...
How long does cervical cancer take to develop?
This process of cancer development can take three to seven years, which is why you should stick to the recommended screening schedule.
Can you put on period panties and go?
Whether or not you put on your period panties and go depends on your comfort level. Emphasis on your because your ob-gyn is fine either way. You won't get any side-eye from them. They’ve seen lots of blood and other bodily fluids and are a-okay with yours. “Some patients apologize for coming in on their period.
Can you reschedule a Pap smear?
Reschedule your Pap smear if you can. If not go ahead and keep the appointment but know there is a possibility you may need to repeat the test. If you do cancel your appointment, be sure to schedule a new one (during a non-period time—consult that app) right away. Cervical cancer screening saves lives by detecting changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer, notes ACOG. This process of cancer development can take three to seven years, which is why you should stick to the recommended screening schedule.
Does it hurt to open a speculum?
During this process, you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort when the speculum is put in and opened, along with some light scratching when the cells are taken. However, the procedure should not hurt or be extremely painful. In some cases, some staining or light bleeding may occur afterward.
Can you get a pap smear while on your period?
A pap smear is evaluated by placing the cervical cells into a liquid solution. If blood is collected along with these cells, then it may obscure the results. That’s why the best time to schedule your pap test is before your menstrual cycle or at least five days after the end of your menstrual period. If your period is early or late, a pap test can still be conducted as long as the flow isn’t too heavy, but you still risk obstructed results.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, involves collecting cells from your cervix to detect cervical cancer and to look for cellular changes that suggest this kind of cancer may develop in the future, per the Mayo Clinic.
Why do you need a Pap more often?
You might need to have a Pap more frequently if you get an abnormal Pap result or have risk factors like a history of cervical cancer.
How to perform a Pap?
To perform a Pap, a medical professional will insert a speculum into your vagina, then take samples of your cervical cells using a soft brush and a flat device called a spatula, the Mayo Clinic explains . Not exactly the kind you cook with, but the same basic idea.
What to do if you are not sure if you have your period?
And, ultimately, if you’re having any concerns about your sexual or reproductive health, you should see your ob/gyn whether you have your period or not.
Can you get a Pap during a pelvic exam?
You can get a Pap during a pelvic exam, but it’s unlikely you’ll have one during every pelvic exam.
Can you get a Pap on your heaviest flow day?
The world won’t end if you decide to get a Pap even on your heaviest flow day. “The worst that will happen is you’ll have to go back to get retested,” Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF.
Is it normal to have a bloody vagina?
Streicher says. With that said, it’s normal if you don’t quite feel comfortable getting examined while on your period.
What to do if your Pap smear is abnormal?
Or if your abnormal Pap result showed signs of precancerous cells, your doctor may recommend a procedure like a colposcopy (cervical biopsy) to learn more. Here’s everything you need to know about an abnormal Pap smear and what comes next. 6. Your menstrual cycle has changed.
Why does my Pap smear come back abnormal?
Abnormal Pap smears are usually caused by human papillomavirus. Also known as HPV, it's the most common sexually transmitted infection.
How many people have HPV?
Also known as HPV, it's the most common sexually transmitted infection. Eighty million people currently have HPV in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the majority of cases your body's immune system wipes out HPV, according to the American Cancer Society.
Can you tell your doctor you are having issues with birth control?
The point in telling your doctor you're having issues with your pills (or any other type of birth control) isn't so they can reprimand you, but so they can help you determine if it's really the best method for you. For example, if you're forgetting to take the progestin-only birth control pill (also called the minipill) within the same three-hour window every day, you're really messing with its level of protection. Talking that over with your doctor can help you decide if another type of contraception will be easier to incorporate into your life. Remember, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Gynecologists truly have seen all of this before!
Can you miss birth control pills?
You sometimes miss a few birth control pills. If you’re taking birth control pills, chances are good that your doc will ask about how consistent you are about taking them. (Or how consistent you are with swapping out other forms of contraception when you should, like the vaginal ring .) Be honest!
Can you skip a Pap smear?
Just be aware that in some cases, having a Pap smear on your period may make it harder to get a clear test result, but that doesn't mean you should skip your appointment. "If you're having a Pap smear on your period, I'll try to swipe away the blood and do the Pap," says Dr. Nathan. "If it comes back inconclusive, you may have to come back.
