Should a Pap smear hurt?

The Pap smear shouldn’t hurt, but it might be uncomfortable. The good news is, it’s over quickly.

How do you stop a Pap smear from hurting?

A simple change in positioning might also make a pap smear less painful. Some women tolerate the procedure better by lying on their sides or they place their hands underneath their rears and press down. Just like sex, different positions can decrease any discomfort you feel in your vagina.

What does an inflamed Pap smear mean?

Inflammation. If inflammation (redness) is present in the cells on the Pap smear, it means that some white blood cells were seen on your Pap smear. Inflammation of the cervix is common and usually does not mean there is a problem.

What are the symptoms of abnormal Pap smear?

If a different sexually transmitted infection is the cause of your abnormal test, you may have symptoms such as:

• A discharge from the vagina that isn’t normal for you, such as a change in the amount, color, odor, or texture.
• Pain, burning, or itching in your pelvic or genital area when you urinate or have sex.

What infections do Pap smears detect?

A Pap test can detect certain viral infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), which is known to cause cervical cancer. Early treatment of precancerous changes (cervical dysplasia) detected on the Pap smear can stop cervical cancer before it fully develops.

How common is inflammation on PAP?

Ten percent had inflammation on their Pap smear; these women were more likely than those without inflammation to test positive for chlamydia and trichomonas. However, 71 percent of women with inflammation had no evidence of any organisms.

Is it normal to be sore after a pelvic exam?

It’s totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam, especially if it’s their first one. It’s also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).