Pap smears are an integral part of reproductive health for women. It’s the only way to catch issues with your cervix before they get out of control. Generally, doctors say the procedure should only come with some discomfort, but many women tell a different story. They describe pap smears as being highly uncomfortable and even painful. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help.
A full bladder might make the examination more uncomfortable. If you need to give a urine sample, then ask if you can give it at that point.
Speculums come in different sizes so you may be more comfortable with one that is smaller or narrower than the one you’ve experienced before.
You should let your doctor know if you’ve never had sex or inserted anything into your vagina as this can influence how they proceed. The same is true if you have any trauma associated with penetration.
If you have a tipped uterus or vaginismus, you should let your doctor know. Having a tipped uterus may call for a different position and a longer speculum. People with vaginismus often prefer to insert the speculum themselves.
Doctors always say “Try to relax” because it can help to make the procedure less painful. It’s a good idea to take slow, rhythmic breaths while the doctor does their work.
Some people find plastic speculums to be more tolerable than metallic ones so ask your doctor if they have any.
While doctors usually suggest a particular position when performing a pap smear, it doesn’t mean you can’t make slight adjustments so it’s not as uncomfortable. Ask them before you move so they can tell you if it’s affecting their ability to do the test.
If pap smears have always been painful for you, it might be a good idea to take a painkiller about 30 minutes before the procedure.
Unsurprisingly, metal speculums can be uncomfortable when they’re cold. You can ask your doctor if you can have a warm one instead.
Some people get a numbing spray before inserting an IUD but that’s not possible with a pap smear. The spray can obscure the cells that your doctor is collecting so that your results aren’t conclusive.
RELATED: What do Your Pap Smear Test Results Mean?
Doctors recommend that you start getting a pap smear at the age of 21 whether or not you’re sexually active. That’s because sexual activity isn’t the only factor that contributes to cervical cancer. Before 30, you should get a pap smear every three years. Between the ages of 30 and 65, you should have them every five years in conjunction with an HPV test. Once you’re over 65, your doctor may advise that you stop having pap smears once you’ve had three normal results in a row.
Additionally, if you’ve had a total hysterectomy to remove your uterus and cervix, you may no longer need to do pap smears.
Of course, this schedule can change if you get an abnormal result, have a significant history of cervical cancer in your family, or have dealt with other types of cancer in the past.
RELATED: What To Expect During Your Pap Smear
If your pap smear results are abnormal, it usually means that the shape and size of the cervical cells suggest that they’re precancerous. These cells can either be classified as low grade or high grade depending on how close they are to becoming cancerous. The next step after getting abnormal results is to get a colposcopy, in which a doctor will collect samples of your cervical tissue for testing.
These tests will then determine the nature of your cell’s abnormalities. Your doctor will recommend treatment options based on the results of your colposcopy. For example, cryotherapy is often used when there are abnormal cells on the cervix’s surface. In that procedure, a doctor or a nurse will use a special liquid to freeze and kill the abnormal cells on the cervix.
Regardless of which treatment method you choose, you’ll likely need to have a follow-up pap smear three to six months after the procedure. If those results are normal, you may have another pap smear in six months and then a year after that.
Though pap smears can be uncomfortable or even painful, they’re essential. Without them, you may develop cervical cancer and not know it. Use some of the tips mentioned here to ensure that you have the best possible experience.
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