Can You Get a Pap Smear on Your Period?

Sometimes our menstrual cycles are regular, and we can anticipate when they are going to occur. So, nosotros schedule our gynecological care appointment effectually it. All the same, sometimes, periods tin can be irregular, and it is hard to time them when scheduling an appointment with your OB-GYN, which is usually done in advance. You may be wondering, "can you get a pap smear while on your period," or "can I get a pap smear on the last mean solar day of my period?" Before we answer this, let's talk about the pap test itself.

What is a Pap Smear?

A pap smear screens for cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the cervix. Precancerous conditions or sexually transmitted infections tin crusade cervical cancer. To collect a sample of these cells for screening, your md will scrape the lining of your neck, which is the opening of your uterus. The lining of the cervix is a sensitive expanse, then it is normal for a pap examination to cause some reactivity, including spotting, which is typically calorie-free and resolves on its own.

What Happens During a Pap Test?

Gynecology Consultation. Doctor Taking Analysis of Woman.

Similar to a standard pelvic exam in your gynecologist's office, you will lay downward on the exam tabular array and place your anxiety in the stirrups. Your doctor will and so use a speculum to widen the vaginal opening, assuasive them to properly run into the upper vagina and cervix to take an accurate sample of cells with a scraper or brush. This sample is sent to a lab to screen for wellness conditions. If aberrant cells are present, your dr. may club a second test or recommend a cervical exam and biopsy chosen a colposcopy.

Balmy discomfort, bleeding, or cramping subsequently a pap smear is to exist expected because this area of our torso is then sensitive! Our blood rushes to the cervix and other reproductive organs during a pap smear or pelvic examination, explaining why the irritation or haemorrhage may occur. On the other hand, some side effects from the screening are non normal, such as heavy bleeding or severe pain.

What Causes Bleeding After a Pap Smear?

There are several things that may increase the chance of bleeding or cramping afterward a pap smear. To put your mind at ease, it is helpful to know near these various factors to improve place the source of your discomfort or symptoms. Hormonal contraception, such every bit birth command pills , elevates your hormone levels and causes your cervix to become more sensitive, making haemorrhage more likely. Vaginal infections , such equally STIs, STDs, and yeast infections , can create tenderness in the neck and may crusade bleeding afterward a pap smear as well.

Bleeding should stop within a few hours if the cause of information technology is from the cervical scrape itself, and over the following 2 days, light spotting may persist. Unless your doctor conducted the pap smears during your period and yous are currently menstruating, bleeding after a pap smear for a week is not normal. If you lot feel bleeding, we recommend fugitive tampons and vaginal penetration for iii days subsequently the exam to allow the area to heal. If you have pap smears during your menstruation or a pap smear on the last twenty-four hours of your flow, you lot may want to use a pad or sanitary napkin instead of tampons equally the surface area volition exist very sensitive.

Things to Look Out for After Pap Smear

Yous now know it is not uncommon for light bleeding or spotting to occur after the screening. Sometimes, concerning symptoms may appear after the pap smear examination, including heavy bleeding or painful cramping, extended bleeding that is non concurrent with your menstrual cycle, and more. If any of these concerning symptoms appear following your appointment, we recommend consulting your md:

  • Severe cramping
  • Haemorrhage that is not your menstrual cycle
  • Heavy haemorrhage that requires a pad
  • Bright reddish or dark clotted blood
  • Bleeding that persists afterwards three days

Never presume the cause of irregular bleeding after a pap smear or in general without speaking to your doc about your symptoms beginning and beingness examined if needed. Equally nosotros mentioned before, the haemorrhage or spotting may be caused by pregnancy or vaginal infection every bit well. It is good to note that a pap smear or pelvic exam should never cause serious or debilitating pain and if yous are experiencing whatsoever of the signs and symptoms listed, promptly reach out to your physician. This examination should never crusade significant or debilitating pain.

Pap Smears During Menses

Doctor Performing Pap Smear on a Woman

Information technology is normal to ask yourself questions like "can you get a pap smear on your period?" or "can I get a pap smear on the final 24-hour interval of my period?" And yes, you tin can get a pap smear on your period! It is worth noting that doing so may not be ideal if yous are experiencing a heavier menstrual flow as significant amounts of claret can obscure details of the cells, making them hard to see, affecting your results. And then the general dominion of thumb is that pap smears during a flow are completely adequate, as long as your period is not very heavy.

Because at that place is no right answer for what qualifies as likewise heavy, try to utilise your all-time judgment. For example, getting a pap smear on the last solar day of your period is probably ok, but perhaps not on the showtime or second 24-hour interval when you are nevertheless filling up a pad or tampon. If annihilation, information technology is worth double-checking with your dr. to see what they would recommend. Tin can you become a pap smear while on your menses is ultimately up to you and your physician, and they may even recommend waiting until your menstruation is over to be safe about protecting the accuracy of your results.

On the other hand, y'all have to consider what you lot are comfortable with as well! If you do not experience great about getting an annual exam or pap smear while you lot are menstruating is totally understandable, and your doctor's role tin can reschedule your appointment for yous. Overall, whether you can get a pap smear on your menstruation is upward to you, your doctor'south professional opinion, and the heaviness of your period menstruation.

A Note From Academy Park OB-GYN

Now y'all know that it is ok to go pap smears during periods! Y'all too now know how your pap test will go, what symptoms you may experience, and what to await out for after the test. It is recommended for women to take their first pap smear at age 21, and if results are normal, it may be performed every 3 years. If you lot take experienced bleeding later a previous pap smear or you are experiencing irregular bleeding in general, nosotros recommend consulting your doc to determine the cause.

At University Park OBGYN, we e'er encourage our patients to ask any questions they may accept about their gynecological intendance. There is no such thing as a bad question, and you lot should never feel anxious or embarrassed when it comes to your trunk and healthcare. Our team of highly trained and skilled professionals provides the compassionate, understanding care every woman deserves. Visit our website or give usa a call to schedule your annual visit today!