Getting a pap smear is something that all women need to have done at some point. However, getting a pap smear is not the most comfortable medical experience that a woman can have. 

If you are feeling nervous about getting a pap smear, there are a few things you can do to prepare your mind and your body and to make sure that the examination goes off without a hitch. Take a look at how to prepare for your next pap smear. 

Choose the Right Time

Avoid scheduling your pap smear during your menstrual period, as this is not the best time. You should try to schedule a pap smear for those times when you are not on your period. 

If you are not sure which stage of your cycle you are on and you have already scheduled a pap smear, once your period shows up it is better to reschedule it. It can be a bit uncomfortable for you and your physician to do this procedure while you are menstruating.

Try to Relax

Before doing the pap smear, your doctor will tell you everything that they are about to do in detail. This is done by most doctors especially if they know that this is your first time having a pap smear. The key to reducing discomfort when you are having a pap smear is to simply relax.

Being tense and nervous will only make the procedure more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Try to take your mind off of what is happening by focusing on something else, and before you know it the procedure will be complete.

Feminine Hygiene

While you should make sure that your intimate areas are as clean as possible for your examination, the feminine hygiene that is necessary for a pap smear goes well beyond that. It is best to avoid douching or using any kind of spermicides before having your pap smear done. Douching may wash away abnormal cells, and spermicides can mask them. This would be unfortunate since a pap smear is aimed at finding these abnormal cells so you can get early treatment.

While a pap smear is not the most comfortable medical procedure in the world for a woman to do, it is often necessary to protect your health. The best way to ensure that the procedure goes as well as possible is to be prepared. Once you have mentally and physically prepared yourself, the experience should be tolerable. 

Contact a clinic that offers woman health services near you to learn more.