source:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/pap-smears.html#cat20015
What Is a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear is a medical test that
helps doctors figure out if there are any problems with a girl's cervix (the
lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina). Pap smears can identify
infections and other problems, including abnormal cells that may develop into
cancer if they are not treated.
A doctor or nurse practitioner uses a
small brush to wipe a sample of mucus from the cervix. The sample is sent to a
lab, where technicians check it for cells that aren't normal.
Who Should Get a Pap Smear?
Teen girls don't need to get Pap smears
unless their doctors think something's wrong. Once a girl turns 21, she should
start getting regular Pap smears as a way to monitor her health. Women in their
20s with normal Pap smear results should have the test every 3 years. Some
women might need to get tested more often, though. So ask your doctor.
The Pap smear shouldn't hurt, but it
might be uncomfortable. The good news is, it's over quickly.
What Happens?
The doctor will use a speculum to
gently widen the vagina. A speculum is a thin piece of plastic or metal with a
hinged piece on one end that allows it to open and close. If the speculum is
metal, the doctor or nurse will warm it to make it more comfortable. The doctor
or nurse will let you know when he or she is about to put the speculum in your
vagina.
Once the speculum is in place, the
doctor or nurse will gently open it up. Putting in and opening the speculum
shouldn't hurt. But some women say that it can cause a bit of pressure and
discomfort.
Because the vagina is surrounded by
muscles that can contract or relax, the exam can be more comfortable if you
relax the muscles in that area. Try doing some breathing exercises or focusing
on relaxing the vaginal muscles. Sometimes humming your favorite song or
chatting with the doctor or nurse can distract you and help you feel more
relaxed.
After the speculum is in place, the
doctor will shine a light inside the vagina to see the cervix. The doctor will gently touch the
cervix with a small brush to pick up cells from that area. Some girls say it
feels like a pinch.
After the doctor or nurse has collected
the sample and removed the speculum, you'll be left alone to get dressed. Some
women say that they bleed a tiny bit from the Pap smear after the exam, so they
like to put a pantiliner in their underwear as they get dressed. This bleeding
is no big deal — it's nothing like a period and it won't last.
Date reviewed: October 2013
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