A pap smear is something most women need to have done. If you are about to get your first pap smear and are feeling anxious about it, you need to learn more about what to expect so you can put your mind at ease. The following information will be useful for helping you prepare for your first pap smear.
Your Doctor's Talk
As with any medical procedure, your doctor will have a talk with you about what the procedure will entail before they begin. You will be told about the steps that will be necessary to collect the sample that will be sent for testing. If there is anything that you do not understand while your doctor is explaining the entire process to you you shouldn't be afraid to ask.
The First Steps
You will need to remove any undergarments and then lie down on the examination table. There will be stirrups on each end of the table and you will need to place your feet in them. A speculum will then be inserted into your vagina. This will help your doctor to separate the vagina walls to take a sample from your cervix. Before the speculum is inserted, your doctor will use lubricants to ensure that the speculum slides easily into the vagina and also reduce any discomfort that you may feel.
The Final Steps
Your gynecologist will then use a spatula to scrape your cervical walls to remove some cells. These cells will become the sample that will be sent off for testing. Removing cells from the cervical walls is not painful but you will be able to feel when it is happening. Once the samples have been collected the procedure is finished. The speculum will be gently removed by your doctor and you will be able to get dressed.
You will probably have to wait a few days to get the results. Ask your doctor when you can expect to get the results. You should also ask your doctor when you should repeat the test once you have gotten the results. Most women will need to get a pap smear once every three years. However, there are specific conditions where a woman may need to take a pap smear a lot more often.
Getting a pap smear can be a little bit nerve-wracking at first. However, there are not a lot of steps in the procedure and your doctor will try to make you as comfortable as possible. The procedure is worth doing to protect your health.
To learn more information about getting a pap smear, go to sites like https://www.centraliowaobgyn.com/.
