Pap smears and HPV tests can catch issues early—long before they become cancer. Learn why these simple screenings matter and how to make the experience more comfortable.

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 ...

Getting a Pap smear isn’t high on most people’s list, but it’s the go-to test to look for cervical changes that could lead to cancer. So, most women endure it every three or so years. Now, there’s a ...

I have a condition called vaginismus that makes traditional cervical cancer screening nearly impossible.

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 ...

What Is A Pap Smear Test? Before differentiating between the two tests, let us tell you a little about each one, starting with a Pap smear test (also called a Pap test). “Pap smear test is a screening ...

The pap smear (or pap test) is one of the cornerstones of women's health. It was introduced in the 1940's as a way to screen for abnormal cervical cells. Starting at the age of 21 women are ...

If you can’t remember when you had your last pap smear, there’s a chance you might be due for another. So how often should you get a pap smear, exactly? We asked Dr. Margo Harrison, MD, OBGYN and Head ...

If you've been putting off scheduling your Pap smear-maybe for months, maybe longer-take a deep breath. There's no judgment here. While some women breeze through these appointments, many of us find ...

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 ...