After you check in for your appointment and a medical assistant takes you to the exam room, let them know that you are on your period. You can remove your tampon, pad or menstrual cup in the restroom. Inside the exam room, pads are available to lay underneath you if needed.
If you have a pap smear scheduled, it's best to avoid using a tampon for at least 24 hours before the test. Instead, use a pad or pantyliner. If you're on your period, talk to your doctor about rescheduling your pap smear for a different time in your cycle.
Dress To Undress
Minkin. Wear comfortable clothing you can get out of easily. Tuck a pair into your purse and forget the lace-up boots and the intricate body shaper. Also, if you're having a mammogram before or after your Pap test, "wear a top and skirt or pants," said Dr.
Absolutely. It is understandable that some patients feel nervous or embarrassed about having a pelvic exam performed while they are bleeding, but our providers are experienced, professional, and used to performing exams and other tests during menstruation.
Most of the time, a doctor can't tell if a girl has had sex just from a pelvic exam (and doctors don't usually give teen girls pelvic exams unless there's a sign of a problem). But you should let your doctor know if you've had sex anyway.
Can you get a Pap smear or pelvic exam on your period? The answer is yes! If you've scheduled an appointment with your gynecologist and you're on your period, there is no need to cancel the appointment. Normal vaginal bleeding should not get in the way of a Pap smear or pelvic exam.
You don't need to wax or shave before your appointment.
“Vaginal grooming is your personal choice. The main consideration on how to prepare for an exam is to simply be clean, so showering or using a vaginal hygiene wipe prior to your visit is suggested.”
So whether you like a close shave, a simple trim, or going au naturale, just keep doing you. The same goes for other parts of your body too. Unless you want to, you don't need to shave your legs, armpits, or anywhere else before your gynecologist appointment (or ever!).
You should always shower with soap before your appointment with a gynecologist to maintain proper vaginal hygiene. However, it is not necessary to shave or wax your pubic area beforehand.
When preparing for a Pap smear, it is best to: Not use vaginal creams, foams, gels, douches or tampons 48 hours (two days) before your Pap smear. These products could cause an abnormal result.
Yes. Most health care providers permit patients to bring a friend or family member into the exam room with them. However, it's a good idea to call ahead and ask your health care provider if this is okay with her or him.
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.
According to ACOG guidelines, PAP smears should begin at age 21, regardless of when a girl becomes sexually active.
If you are experiencing period pain that interferes with your daily life every month, then you should talk to your gynecologist. They can determine whether your period pain is primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. From there, the gynecologist can prescribe treatment that will help you manage your symptoms.
A gynecologist diagnoses and treats issues with female reproductive organs. They deal with all aspects of sexual health like preventive care, cancer screenings and physical exams. Some of the services and tests provided are: Pelvic exams and external genital exams.
There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.
The Pap smear shouldn't hurt, but it might be uncomfortable. The good news is, it's over quickly.
The Risks of Not Getting a Pap Smear
If you neglect to get regular pap smears, you put yourself at risk for a number of health issues. These include: Cervical cancer: Without regular screenings, abnormal cells on the cervix can go undetected and develop into cervical cancer.
Dr. Minkin told us that, although "there is no biological reason to remove pubic hair," shaving down there is a safe option for removal, as long as you're doing it correctly. "The major concern with shaving is cutting oneself — but as long as you don't get cut, there's not much harm," Dr. Minkin said.
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.
Do not shave or wax any area on your body for a week before surgery (legs, bikini, underarms, etc.). Shaving can nick the skin and increase the risk of wound infection. If hair needs to be removed, it will be done at the hospital.
Very rarely, prolonged or heavy bleeding may occur after a Pap smear. Heavy bleeding may sometimes happen because a person's monthly period coincides with the timing of the test. However, when a period is not the cause, heavy bleeding after a Pap smear could signal an infection or another health issue.
A big reason for the change: We now better understand the way cervical cancer develops over time—we know it takes many years to develop—so we've expanded the time between screenings. We also now have two screening options to detect cervical cancer, the Pap test and the HPV test.