Pap Smears: Don’t Brush It Off
Let’s talk about that appointment you keep rescheduling.
You know the one — awkward, uncomfortable, and battling the dentist for your least favorite appointment. The Pap smear may not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s one of the simplest ways to protect your health. And once you know what it’s actually doing (and what to expect), it gets a whole lot less scary. Let’s break it down.
Let’s Talk About the C Word
No, not that one.
We mean cancer — the word that makes your heart skip a beat when you read it.
We’re not trying to scare you, but it’s real: cancer affects lives, families, and futures. While research has come a long way, it’s still a beast we haven’t fully tamed.
The good news? There’s one kind we’re pretty damn good at catching before it turns into something life-changing: cervical cancer. And the Pap smear is how we do it.
What Is a Pap Smear (and Why Should I Care)?
A Pap smear is a screening test — and here’s the thing about screening tests:
They’re designed to catch more than we need to, just in case something turns out to matter. Think of it like a security system that goes off if a squirrel sneezes outside. Most of the time, it’s nothing. But you’d rather have that system than not know there’s a real threat until it’s too late.
That’s the logic behind the Pap smear: it checks for abnormal cells on the cervix — cells that could turn into cancer one day if we didn’t catch them early. Most won’t. Some might — but this is where we can step in before they ever have the chance.
We’re not here to freak you out. We’re here to keep you safe.
So What Is It Actually Testing?
A Pap smear can check for two things (depending on your age and your provider’s protocol):
1. Abnormal cells – Think of it like brushing up against the cervix and seeing what flakes off. Those cells are sent to a lab, where someone trained to spot funky stuff takes a look.
2. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – Some Pap tests also check for the virus that causes most cervical cancers. This is often called co-testing, and it can be done on the same swab — so it’s not a separate procedure. (Check out our separate article on HPV for more details.)
Not everyone gets tested for HPV every time. For example:
- In younger patients (under 30), HPV is so common that we often don’t test for it unless needed. Most people clear it on their own.
- After 30, we’re more likely to test for HPV alongside the Pap.
Guidelines change often, so if you’re unsure what your test included, ask. You’re allowed to know.
What’s the Pap Timeline?
If you have a cervix and you’re between 21 and 65, you’ll probably need regular Pap smears, even if:
- You’re not sexually active
- You’re in a same-sex relationship
- You’ve had the HPV vaccine
The schedule generally looks like this:
- Ages 21–29: Pap every 3 years (HPV only if needed)
- Ages 30–65: Pap + HPV every 5 years (or Pap alone every 3)
- After 65: You may be able to stop — but only if you’ve had a history of normal results
These are just general guidelines. Every body is different. Certain medications, medical conditions, or other personal factors might change the timing — so always talk to your provider about what’s best for you.
What Happens During the Test?
You’ll undress from the waist down and lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups. Your provider will gently insert a speculum to open the vaginal walls so they can see the cervix.
Then comes the swab.
The tools vary, but they’re usually no bigger than:
- A mascara wand (for the brush)
- Or a tiny plastic spatula (think: those little spoons they give you for samples at an ice cream shop)
They’ll gently collect a few cells from the cervix and send them to a lab. That’s it. The whole thing usually takes under 5 minutes. You might feel pressure, weird poking, or cramping — it shouldn’t be outright painful.
If you want help making pelvic exams more tolerable, check out our article *Let’s Get This Over With: Making Pelvic Exams Suck Less* for tips and options.
We also know that all bodies are different — and so are pain thresholds. If you’ve had trauma or painful exams before, let your provider know so they can adjust how it’s done. This kind of care is too important to let one bad experience keep you from getting it again!
But… Blood?!
Yep — sometimes there’s a little spotting afterward. That doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Some people just have sensitive cervixes that react to even light brushing. The bleeding usually stops quickly and doesn’t affect your results.
What If the Results Are Abnormal?
Take a breath.
An abnormal Pap does not mean you have cancer. It just means some cells looked a little off. That’s common — and it’s the whole point of screening. We’d rather check in on too many people than miss someone who really needs it.
Depending on the results, you might need:
- A repeat Pap in a year
- HPV testing
- A colposcopy — a procedure to take a closer look at the cervix and biopsy any abnormal areas (Check out our article coming soon on colposcopy for more details.)
- Or a minor treatment to remove suspicious cells
Most people with abnormal results never go on to develop cancer. And that’s the win — the system did what it was supposed to do.
The Bottom Line
The Pap smear is about no patient left behind when it comes to preventing cervical cancer.
That means we sometimes catch things that turn out to be nothing — and that’s okay. That’s the design.
That said, it’s also totally valid to feel scared or overwhelmed when something comes back abnormal. That fear is human. But remember: you already did the right thing by getting it done. Now it’s just about taking the next step — asking your provider what it means and what to do next.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.
