During a Pap smear the most uncomfortable part will be when the doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina. However, the pain should be minimal and brief. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images A Pap smear is a ...

A pap smear, sometimes called a pap test, is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer — and is typically done during an annual well-woman visit with a gynecologist. In this article, we discuss how ...

A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women. Thus, detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure. Here, Dr. Veena ...

An abnormal Pap smear means some percentage of your cervix cells appear abnormal in shape or size. In most cases, an abnormal Pap smear does not indicate cancer and is in fact caused by HPV. If you ...

Each year, about 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the U.S., but thanks to Pap smears, deaths from the disease have dropped significantly over the past few decades. The test, which ...

The Pap smear is an unfortunate combination of discomfort and necessity. But soon, it might get a little easier. The medical procedure involves collecting cells from the vaginal wall to test them for ...

Q: It’s time for my daughter to have a Pap smear, but she’s putting it off because it was so painful last time. I wonder if switching to a female doctor might help? It’s a very unpleasant test and I ...

Although you can get a Pap smear during your menstrual period, some doctors may prefer you do not. A heavy flow may alter your exam results. If in doubt, it’s better to ask your OB-GYN, but try not to ...

If you are expecting, then one thing you should be prepared for is regular health checkups. Among the many tests during pregnancy, a test your doctor might suggest during your first prenatal visit is ...

A Pap smear is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer by testing cells for any abnormalities. If your Pap results are abnormal that does not mean you have cancer, and more likely indicates HPV.