Tips on Preparing for Pap Smears

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women 21 and older begin Pap screen testing and continue scheduling the exams every two years. Women who are 30 and older should be screened every three years. If you have never had a Pap smear, it is helpful to know how to prepare for it ahead of time.

Scheduling

• Schedule your appointment one or two weeks after your period starts.

  Ideally, Pap smears should be scheduled one or two weeks after you expect your period to start so that you are no longer menstruating at the time of your appointment. If you are menstruating when you have your appointment scheduled, call and reschedule.

Do and Don't

• Refrain from sexual intercourse for 48 hours before your appointment.

  There are a few things you should and should not do before your scheduled Pap smear appointment. Wash the vaginal area before your appointment. Do not douche, have sexual intercourse, use tampons or use any kind of gel for 48 hours before your appointment.

Preparing Questions and Concerns

• Write down any questions you have before your appointment.

  Before your Pap smear appointment, write down any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with your doctor. When you are in the exam room, it is easy to forget everything that you wanted to discuss, but if you write it all down ahead of time, you can use your list as a reference.

  If there is something in particular that concerns you, keep a log of symptoms you are curious about for the days and weeks leading up to your appointment. It might help your doctor diagnose the problem if she has a record of when and how symptoms occurred.