Contents:
- Medical Video: Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
- What is a pap smear?
- Then, can you have sex after a pap smear?
- Consider the following before doing a pap smear
Medical Video: Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
A Pap smear is a mandatory screening test for women in adulthood, especially when you are married or have been sexually active. There are a number of things that may and may not be done before or after pap smears, one of which is having sex. The rule is that you are required not to have sex one day before. However, if you have pap smears, can you make love again with your partner? Here's the answer.
What is a pap smear?
Before you know when it is permissible to have sex after a pap smear, it's good to know first about the test for this woman. A Pap smear is a test that is performed to look for changes in the cells of the cervix (cervix) which can show symptoms of cervical cancer or cervical cancer.
During the test, a small device will be inserted into your vagina. It aims to take small samples of cells on the surface of the cervix. The sample is then spread on a slide (Pap smear) or mixed in a liquid fixative (liquid-based cytology).
Then the sample will be sent to the laboratory to be examined under a microscope. Cells are examined for abnormalities that may indicate changes in abnormal cells, such as dysplasia or cervical cancer.
In addition pap smears are usually carried out together with a pelvic examination. All women are recommended to do a pap smear at the age of 21 years. This pap test is performed to detect early cervical cancer. Women aged 21-29 years are recommended to take this test every three years, without testing Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Then, can you have sex after a pap smear?
Having sex after a pap smear can be done. However, this applies when there are no vaginal health conditions that occur after the pap test, such as bleeding. Vaginal discharge after sex is still fairly normal and common. This is not necessarily caused by the pap smear itself.
However, if you do experience bleeding after the test, it's a good idea not to have sex first. During bleeding after the test, use a dressing. It is also important to avoid using tampons, having sex, or swimming.
If bleeding after the examination continues and gets worse, contact your doctor immediately.
In addition, sex after pap smears is not recommended if before pap smears you have experienced symptoms and suspect certain venereal diseases. To prevent transmission of venereal disease, you should wait until your pap smear results come out.
Consider the following before doing a pap smear
Not many things are prohibited after doing a pap smear. This is also taken into account with your health condition after taking a Pap test. However, it's a good idea to pay attention to some of the things you must prepare before doing a pap smear. This is useful for maximizing the accuracy of test results. These are:
- Not having sex two days before pap smears.
- Not cleaning the vagina with douche or feminine soap two days before pap smears. Simply clean your vagina with warm water.
- Avoid vaginal contraception such as foam, cream, or jelly placed in the vagina two days before pap smears.
- Also avoid using drugs for the vagina (except what your doctor prescribes) two days before pap smears.
- Empty your bladder before doing a pap smear.
You also have to tell your doctor before doing a pap smear, if you:
- Taking drugs, for example family planning pills containing estrogen or progestin. Certain drugs can affect test results.
- Have done a pap smear before and the results are not normal.
- You are pregnant.
