You shouldn’t have a Pap smear during your period. Heavy bleeding can affect the accuracy of the test. If your test ends up being scheduled for that time of month, ask your doctor if you can reschedule.
For the most accurate Pap smear, doctors recommend taking the following steps, starting 48 hours before your test.
- Don’t have sex or use lubricants.
- Don’t use sprays or powders near the vagina.
- Don’t insert anything into the vagina, including tampons, medications, creams, and suppositories.
- Don’t rinse the vagina with water, vinegar, or other fluid (douche).
The test is done in your doctor’s office or clinic. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
You’ll lie on a table with your feet placed firmly in stirrups. You’ll spread your legs, and your doctor will insert a metal or plastic tool (speculum) into your vagina. They’ll open it so that it widens the vaginal walls. This allows them to see your cervix. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your cervix. They’ll place them into a liquid substance in a small jar, and send them to a lab for review. The Pap test doesn’t hurt, but you may feel a little pinch or a bit of pressure.
