Medical Questions » Female Problems Questions » Question No. 389
| Question: | Is there any specific time of the month to have a Pap smear and is it normal to have an internal examination at the same time? |
| Answer: | You can have a Pap smear at any time of the month, provided you are not bleeding with your monthly period. Breakthrough bleeding at other times of the month may also interfere with a Pap smear. If you have a vaginal infection with a discharge, it is sensible to have the infection treated before having the smear, as the infection will contaminate the smear and make it difficult to interpret.
A Pap smear should be performed every two years on all women who have ever been sexually active, in order to detect cancer of the cervix, vaginal infections and other abnormalities in the vagina and cervix.
An internal examination is often performed at the same time to feel the ovaries for lumps, hardness or tenderness, and to check the uterus size and shape.
Most doctors would also take the opportunity to examine your breasts and check your blood pressure as part of a thorough examination.
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