The pap smear is done in the doctor's office quickly and simply, and it is not necessary to use anesthesia or any other type of medication. This procedure does not hurt, it can only cause a slight discomfort the moment the doctor scrapes the cervix.
The pap smear, which is used to diagnose vaginal inflammation, sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV, and to identify the presence of cervical cancer, should be performed once a year by women who have started sexually, especially are between 25 and 59 years old.
What happens during the exam
During the examination, the doctor initially notes if there is any change in the outside of the vagina, and then starts the pap smear:
- A small instrument called a speculum is inserted into the vagina to keep the vaginal canal open and allow observation of the cervix;
- The gynecologist looks inside the vagina and cervix;
- The gynecologist uses a wooden spatula and a brush to scrape part of the cervix;
- The collected material is stored and taken for laboratory analysis.
The entire procedure takes about 5 minutes, and the woman should remove the clothing below the waist, lying on the gynecologist's stretcher with her legs apart. In the case of virgin women, the doctor uses a special material that maintains virginity.
After the consultation is finished, the woman does not need to have special care, being able to do all her daily activities normally. In general, the result takes about 14 days to be ready. Here's how to understand the exam results here.
How To Prepare for the Pap Smear
Preparing for the pap smear is simple and includes avoiding intimate relationships even with the use of condoms, avoiding showers for intimate hygiene, and avoiding the use of medications or vaginal contraceptives in the 2 days prior to the exam.
In addition, the woman also can not be menstruating, because the presence of blood can alter the results of the examination.
See when it is necessary to do other tests to evaluate the cervix.
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