Physician At Your Cervix!

It’s Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida Dr. Chelsea Daniels shares the most common cervical health questions she gets from patients and her medically accurate answers as an expert. Keep reading to learn more!

While some of us grew up getting Pap smears every year as part of our annual wellness exam, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently updated their guidelines.

In general, if you are between the ages of 21 – 29, you only need a Pap smear once every 3 years. Because cervical cancer cells take years to develop, this should allow ample time to catch any abnormal cells or developments between screenings. Additionally, anyone under the age of 45 really should get the HPV vaccine.

Click here to learn more about cervical health and for a full breakdown of our Pap guidelines depending on your age and any pre-existing health conditions.

Whether it's your first or fifteenth time, it’s normal to feel nervous or a little awkward before a Pap smear. I like to talk to my patients through the procedure, so they know what to expect!

During the procedure, your health care provider gently scrapes cells from your cervix with a small, soft brush. These cells are examined for changes and can also be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), the sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. While opening your cervix or collecting the cells might cause you to feel a little pressure or discomfort, they should never cause pain.

In terms of feeling awkward, like we said in this social media video, we’ve seen other people’s vaginas more than we’ve seen our own – there’s NO reason to be worried about that from us or any OB-GYN!

So first, I want to say your period does NOT bother your healthcare provider at all! But depending on how heavy your flow is, your period may affect the results of your Pap smear.

A lot of blood can make your sample harder to read, which could produce inaccurate results. This shouldn’t be an issue if your flow is lighter, but if you realize you’re going to be on your period during your scheduled Pap smear, the best thing you can do is call our health center and talk about your options.

You can pee before your Pap smear!

You can do some deep belly breathing or ask if you can put on some music during your appointment. 

Also, suppose a patient is dealing with trauma or severe anxiety about receiving a Pap smear; in that case, our compassionate doctors are there to hold your hand and adjust the appointment to your comfort level however necessary. You can ask to have a companion in the room. We will do whatever we can to make you feel safe and comfortable during your exam.

Yes, whether you’re sexually active or not, you still need a Pap smear if you are 21 or older. While most cervical cancers are caused by HPV (which is sexually transmitted), this isn’t the case for all cancers.

Yes! A routine visit to your OB-GYN is crucial for your overall health. Whether or not you are due for cervical cancer screening, you should still see your OB-GYN at least once a year.

During your visit, you and your doctor can talk about any number of things, such as pain during sex, birth control options, period questions and more. Plus, you can discuss testing for STIs, family planning, breast exams, or any other reproductive health care you may need!

Pap smears don’t screen for STIs like HPV, gonorrhea or chlamydia. Instead, they test for any abnormal cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer.

If you want additional testing for STIs, ask your health care provider during your appointment.

Learning that your Pap test results came back abnormal can be unsettling, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. Most abnormalities are either issues that can correct themselves on their own or problems that have been detected early enough for effective treatment. Your doctor will talk you through your results and discuss what next steps are needed.

That said, once you get an abnormal Pap result, you will need to start receiving Pap smears annually – regardless of your age group.

Dr. Chelsea Daniels is a physician with Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida.