Of all the milestones you’ve dreamt about sharing with your daughter, preparing her for her first Pap smear probably didn’t make the list.
Nevertheless, it’s a necessary step in her healthcare journey as a woman, so she should know what to expect — and why it’s important.
At Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care, Dr. James Lee is an experienced and compassionate doctor who helps women and families through vital services like Pap smears. Here are a few guidelines he has developed over the years that will help you prepare your daughter for her first Pap smear.
When it comes to women’s health, the most important thing you can do is communicate openly with your daughter. Have ongoing honest conversations with her about how her body is going to change as she gets older, and what medical care these changes entail.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that girls have their first visit to a gynecologist at 13-15 years old. It also urges them to have their first Pap smear at age 21.
Help your daughter understand that these visits are a chance for her to learn more about her developing body, menstrual periods, and sex in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.
She can also learn more about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), healthy lifestyles, and health concerns, and ask any questions she may have.
Before your daughter has her first Pap smear, explain why it’s necessary and how we do it. You can tell her the procedure is a test for the presence of cervical cancer, so if cancer cells are detected, treatment can begin as soon as possible, before these cells grow more dangerous.
During the procedure, she sits back on the exam table with her legs in stirrups attached to the table. Dr. Lee inserts a speculum into her vagina to allow him to see the cervix. He uses a small brush to swab a few cells from the cervix, and the test finishes in less than 10 minutes.
A Pap smear shouldn’t hurt, but let your daughter know that she may feel uncomfortable during the procedure. She may experience some light bleeding afterward, but she shouldn’t have any pain or cramping.
Dr. Lee sends the sample cells to a lab to be tested. If everything is normal, your daughter won’t need another Pap smear for three years. If some of her cells look abnormal, he will want to do some follow-up testing.
Tell your daughter that most people who have abnormal cells don’t develop cervical cancer, but Dr. Lee gives you more information based on the additional test results.
If your daughter is ready for her first Pap smear, our team at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care would be happy to help. Just call our Woodstock, Georgia, office at 770-927-7857 or use our convenient online booking tool to schedule your visit.
