How painful is a Pap smear?
Does it hurt? Pap smears shouldn’t hurt. If you’re getting your first Pap, it may feel a little uncomfortable because it’s a new sensation that your body isn’t yet used to. People often say it feels like a small pinch, but everyone has a different threshold for pain.
Can a Pap smear detect if you are sexually active?
Whether you’re sexually active or not, you still need a Pap smear. Most cervical cancers are caused by an infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. However, not all cervical cancers stem from HPV, which means Pap smears are necessary whether you’re sexually active or not.
What should I expect at my first Pap smear?
The provider will gently insert a tool called a speculum into your lady parts. It looks similar to a duck bill and is used to spread the lady parts slightly so the provider can collect a sample of cells from your cervix with a small soft brush. The Pap test usually lasts only a few minutes. You can expect mild sensations.