of all my pap smear appointments, this is the first time i forgot to check my calendar before scheduling the check-up. my appointment is tomorrow afternoon and i just got my period - is it rude to keep my appointment or should i call and reschedule?
2007-06-18 16:00:15 · 21 answers · asked by anouk_zeina 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I just had this problem today.
My period started yesterday and my appointment was today.
The answer to your question, if your cycle is light, they will go ahead and continue, but if it is heavy, then you need to reschedule.
2007-06-18 16:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by jhvnmt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to reschedule, they can't get a proper smear.
It's best to go about a week before your period begins, so my Dr says.
Q. Can having a Pap test during menstruation effect the results? I've heard not to get one during this time. Can it cause abnormal results? Why is this?
A. You're right about what you've heard: women don't usually have Pap tests done during their periods. Menstruation itself does not cause abnormal Pap smear results but, menstrual blood makes abnormal cervical cells difficult to see. (You see a lot of blood cells instead).
It's recommended that women schedule a Pap test between ten and twenty days following the start of their periods. It's also important not to douche, apply vaginal medication, and/or insert spermicide (as foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository, or tablet) for about two days before the exam because they may remove or obscure abnormal cells, preventing the most accurate test reading.
More info on the link I provided.
Best wishes! =)
2007-06-18 16:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by ™Tootsie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reschedule. Having a pap test during your period can alter the results.
2007-06-18 16:03:39 · answer #3 · answered by klynnr_1981 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to reschedule. Having your period will not affect your results.
However, I've always rescheduled for modesty reasons.
More importantly, if you've been using tampons, and they rub in there, they can cause perfectly normal, unharmful tissue regeneration (aka healing), the rapid growth of cells on a pap smear looks like it could be cancer. Then you get called back, and you have to do it again, and you have to be worried for no reason, etc etc.
Your call, really. But next to what your doctor sees every day, a period is no big deal.
2007-06-18 16:07:35 · answer #4 · answered by kate 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No sweat. that is not something to be afflicted approximately. the only education you prefer is to probable 'freshen up' down there. you will could fill out some workplace work. you will prefer assurance information, date of final era, questions approximately your classes (heavy/ easy, how in many circumstances, whilst did you first initiate, etc) you would be asked to thoroughly undress (the wellbeing care expert/nurse will step out of the room) then you definitely will get carry of a paper or fabric gown which will open up the front. whilst the wellbeing care expert returns, she could do an entire actual -- coronary heart value, blood rigidity, breast examination, weight, top, etc.) she would be able to probable additionally prefer to take some blood to examine for anemia, hormone ranges, etc. you will climb up on a table, positioned your ft into stirrups and the wellbeing care expert will insert a speculum to hold you open. She could examination you with a fingertip first. the extremely pap smear is in easy terms a protracted cotton swab this is administered around your cervix. it could experience slightly unusual in spite of the shown fact that it won't injury. The cotton swab would be despatched off to be examined for abnormal cervical cells. the outcomes could come back in a week or 2. Your wellbeing care expert will call you or deliver you a positioned up card with the outcomes. the extremely pap smear probable in easy terms lasts a jiffy yet whilst the wellbeing care expert does an entire examination, you could assume to be at her workplace for a minimum of an hour or so. this is alright to be frightened yet this could nicely be an somewhat habitual examination. because of the fact it is your first, the wellbeing care expert could get the entire medical historic past to confirm she (and you) do each and every thing achieveable to make particular a healthful toddler and a powerful transport. stable success!
2016-10-17 23:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by rask 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always rescheduled. I don't think they appreciate you coming in with that going on. When I've called and told them what was going on they would always reschedule me.
2007-06-18 16:03:01 · answer #6 · answered by Cate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call and reschedule - the blood etc can obscure the results or the test, so they would have to do it again later.
2007-06-18 17:35:50 · answer #7 · answered by Seraphim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call and reschedule! They won't care, just tell them why. I do that a lot. Besides, you'll be wasting your money and their time if you go....the results are more likely to be abnormal.
2007-06-18 16:03:13 · answer #8 · answered by I really hate my job... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rude is not the problem. Accuracy of cultures and your PAP smear will be messed up by the menstrual discharge.
[ OR/GYNs are not phased by blood - they deliver babies, remember? ] Re- schedule.
2007-06-18 18:46:11 · answer #9 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
reschedule - I don't think doctor's necessarily mind when you have your period (they've seen it all), but you can't get as accurate of test results when you are bleeding. if you can't reschedule, I'm sure they'll just do their best - no worries.
2007-06-18 16:04:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋