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What to Expect During a Pap Test
Before the exam: Your doctor will leave the room. You will
remove your clothes, put on a gown, and put a sheet over
your waist and legs for privacy.
During the exam: Your doctor will insert a small
instrument, called a "speculum," into the vagina to see the
cervix. Your doctor will then use a small swab to collect
cells from your cervix. You may feel a
little discomfort.
After the exam: Your doctor will
send the cells to a lab to see if there
are any abnormal cell changes.
Your doctor will follow up with
you by phone or mail with your
Pap test results. If your doctor
does not follow up with you
within a week or two after your
Pap test, it is important to
contact him or her to get
your results.
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When you go for a Pap test, your doctor may ask the
following questions:
- "When did you have your first menstrual period?"
- "Are your periods regular?"
- "How long does your period usually last?"
- "How many sexual partners have you had?"
Do not think, "This doctor is too curious; this is so
embarrassing." Please remember that this is your
doctor's daily work. Your doctor needs this information
in order to help protect your health. |
"I am embarrassed to ask for a
Pap Test. What should I do?"
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Doctor Nguyen:
"Many women are
embarrassed to remind their doctors to do
Pap tests. Because of our culture, we are not
used to talking about sexual matters and
intimate body parts. So, it takes a brave woman
to ask her doctor for a Pap test, especially if her
doctor is a man. You can ask for a female
provider, such as a nurse, to be in the room. For your health, try
not to be embarrassed - simply ask your doctor to do a Pap test."
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