Directly after your first pap smear, however, you can go about your day as normal, with no restrictions. (If you are in pain after your pap test, contact your doctor with your concerns, as that is not a normal occurrence afterward.)
Avoid intercourse, douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap smear, as these may wash away or obscure abnormal cells. Try not to schedule a Pap smear during your menstrual period. It's best to avoid this time of your cycle, if possible.
Do not use douche, bubble bath, or use vaginal medicine for three days before Pap test. You may shower, but do not tub bathe 24 hours before the Pap test. Inform your clinician about additional medications/conditions that may interfere with an accurate test.
During a Pap smear, a healthcare professional takes a small sample of cervical cells to screen for cervical cancer. Collecting cells from the cervix can cause light bleeding or spotting that may last for 1–2 days.
After the Pap Smear
Directly after your first pap smear, however, you can go about your day as normal, with no restrictions.
It's totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam, especially if it's their first one. It's also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).
It doesn't take much to prepare for a pap smear. Some women may feel like they need to shave their pubic hair, but it's unnecessary for this test. You should only tackle it if you'll be more comfortable. Your doctor has seen it all, so a little bit of pubic hair won't bother him.
Try to schedule your Pap test for the middle of your menstrual cycle – between 10 and 20 days after the first day of your period. Don't use vaginal douche, any vaginal medications or contraceptive (spermicidal) creams, foams or jellies (unless your doctor has told you to).
If you are getting a Pap test, you can take steps to make sure the test results are accurate. Avoid intercourse, douching, and using vaginal medicines or spermicidal foam for 2 days before the test. If you had sex before the test, go to the appointment as planned and let the doctor know.
It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for your healthcare provider to receive your results from the laboratory. It's important to agree on a way of getting your results with your healthcare provider. Find out more about Cervical Screening Test results.
What happens after a Pap test? You may rest for a few minutes after the procedure before going home. Scraping the cervix may cause a small amount of bleeding. You may want to wear a sanitary pad for any spotting that may occur.
Common side effects of pap smears include spotting, cramping, and mild pain or discomfort.
Other instructions
Use a pad if you have some bleeding. Do not douche, have sexual intercourse, or use tampons for 1 week if you had a biopsy. This will allow time for your cervix to heal. You can take a bath or shower anytime after the test.
Because you will need to remove all clothing from the waist down for a Pap smear, you might consider wearing a dress or skirt so that all you have to take off is your underwear and shoes, but this is purely a personal preference. It may be just as easy for you to slip out of a pair of jeans, slacks, or sweatpants.
The short answer to this question is, yes, you can be sedated to get a pelvic exam and Pap smear. This is not common practice however, and usually only done when there is suspected clinical concern and a routine exam is not possible.
Do Virgins Need Pap Smears? The majority of healthcare providers recommend women begin pap smears at age 21. If you're a virgin, or haven't had vaginal intercorse, you may be at extreme low risk but can still consider getting tested.
May I keep my socks and/or shoes on during my exam? Yes. Socks and shoes may be left on, but all other clothing items need to be removed for the exam. Why do pap smears and vaginal exams sometimes hurt?
Douching with mixtures of fluids, soaps, intimate hygiene gels, antibacterial soap, or other products can also affect the vaginal pH and distort test results. Gynecologists don't recommend douching at all because it can disrupt the normal balance of vaginal flora and its natural acidity.
Yes. Doctors recommend routine cervical cancer screening, regardless of your sexual history. Tests used to screen for cervical cancer include the Pap test and the HPV test.
However, some women may experience discomfort or pain during or after the procedure. If you've had a pap smear and are experiencing pain the day after, you're not alone.
A pap smear can cause irritation and micro-tears in the vaginal tissue, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. The symptoms of UTI after a pap smear are similar to those of a regular UTI.
While pelvic pain after a pap test is common, in most cases, it subsides within a few days. Should the pain persist for a longer period than usual, consult your doctor, as this may be a sign of infection.
There's no need to panic
When you hear that your Pap smear results were abnormal, you might feel some anxiety. Although worry is a common and normal reaction, it's important to know that your test results merely showed that you have an infection or unusual cells known as dysplasia. None of this means you have cancer.