Cervical cancer affects most women, and they will not know they suffer from the condition until it is in the last stages. This is preventable cancer as it is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is preventable. Although you can vaccinate against HPV at a younger age, you should go for a South Charleston pap smear, which is a cervical cancer diagnosis. Cervical cancer leads to infertility and death if not treated in the early stages. Thus, your gynecologist will educate you on ways to prevent and treat cancer. These are tips to prepare for a Pap smear

Ensure You Know What a Pap smear Entails

Your gynecologist will educate you on what a Pap smear entails and advocate for better practices that keep you comfortable in their office. The doctor will use a speculum that collects the cells from the cervix for a biopsy exam to show the signs of cancer cells. Although the test might not be painful, it can be uncomfortable since the gynecologist inserts a speculum into your vagina and the cervix.

Pee Before a Pap Smear

You should pee before the Pap smear as the speculum exerts pressure around the pelvic region. Thus you will feel uncomfortable if the bladder is full. Thus, you can ask the employees who work in the fertility clinic to show you the washroom and pee beforehand to avoid being in a tricky situation. Additionally, you may need a urine sample if you are testing different UTIs and STDs, and urinating before the procedure makes it possible to collect samples your gynecologist uses during the exam.

Use the Narrowest Speculum

The speculum might feel uncomfortable during insertion and placement, and you can ask for the smallest appliance. You might have anxiety with a large speculum, and the best news is the gynecologist will ask you to choose the suitable appliance which feels comfortable during the exam.

Share Your Medical History

You can share your medical history, as it makes it easy to diagnose cervical cancer and treat other sexually transmitted infections. For instance, previous history of HPV infections might predispose a patient to cervical cancer. Your doctor might guide you and insert the speculum with caution if you have never inserted anything into the vagina or if you are a virgin. Moreover, the doctor might ask if your uterus is tipped towards the cervix during an exam.

Avoid a Pap smear Test during Heavy Menstruation

You may avoid a Pap smear during heavy menstruation as the doctor might feel uncomfortable dealing with the mess associated with menstruation. Moreover, the excessive blood flow during menstruation will affect the sample collection making it difficult to diagnose cervix cancer. Moreover, you should avoid getting any STD or UTI test during heavy menstruation.

Cervical cancer occurs due to HPV infections which are preventable with vaccines or treatments. Thus, you should test for HPV regularly to treat the health condition before it causes cervix cancer. Young women below 26 years can benefit from vaccines against HPV. However, your gynecologist will recommend a Pap smear if your doctor thinks you have cervix cancer. During the exam, they will insert a speculum that collects cervix cells for biopsy to determine if you have cancer. Thus, you may share your health history and ask the doctor to insert the speculum carefully if you have never inserted anything into your vagina.