Can You Get a Pap Smear on Your Period?

Periods don't always come on schedule, and sometimes a person who menstruates might not track their cycle as far out when booking a Pap smear. Pap tests, or Pap smears, are cervical cancer screening tests done every three years for individuals aged 21 to 65 with a cervix—the lowest part of the uterus.

Menstruation can affect the results of these tests, which may leave you wondering if you can get a Pap smear on your period. The immediate answer is that you can, but it depends on factors like your comfort level and healthcare provider guidance. Here's what you need to know about getting a Pap smear while menstruating.

What Is a Pap Smear?

A Pap test involves taking cell samples from your cervix to look for signs of cervical cancer. The test is also a way to look for cellular changes like precancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that indicate the potential development of cancer.

During the Pap test, a healthcare provider inserts a plastic or metal speculum into your vagina to open it up. Using a soft brush, the provider will take cell samples from your cervix.

Sometimes, the healthcare provider will do co-testing, where they complete an HPV test at the same time as the Pap test. The HPV test involves taking samples from outside the cervix. The samples are then sent to a lab for testing.

When Should You Get a Pap Smear?

Individuals with a cervix are recommended to start cervical cancer screening at 25 and continue through age 65, with HPV testing every five years as the preferred method of testing. If you get an abnormal Pap result or have risk factors like a history of cervical cancer, you might need to get a Pap smear more often.

Pap tests, HPV tests, or both are sometimes done during a pelvic exam, which is a typical part of your annual OB-GYN visit. Of course, if you're experiencing unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain, you can make an appointment for a pelvic exam at any time.

Pap Smear on Your Period?

As for getting a Pap test on your period, there's no reason you can't have one. It may not be ideal if you're experiencing a particularly heavy flow. It could potentially affect the Pap test outcome.

You should also consider your comfort level. It's best to reschedule and go back on a period-free day if you're not comfortable getting a Pap test, HPV test, or even your annual exam while you have your period.

How It's Done

The Pap test procedure doesn't change if you happen to be on your period. Instead, the changes occur with the sample analysis. Rebecca C. Brightman, MD, a gynecologist in private practice in NYC and an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Health more about the analysis.

"Pap tests are typically liquid-based cytology [cell biology] evaluations with the cervical cells placed in solution, and cervical cells can then be separated from the blood in the lab to allow for proper analysis," explained Dr. Brightman. Too much blood in that sample can still obscure results.

How Heavy Is Too Heavy?

There's no right answer to the question of "how heavy is too heavy?" for menstrual flow if you plan to have a Pap test completed. Neither you nor a healthcare provider can determine how much flow will affect the results. With that in mind, it's worth calling ahead of time to get the provider's guidance about coming to your appointment during your period.

A Quick Review

In general, you may be able to get a Pap smear while on your period. To be sure, call the office where you'll be having your appointment to see what they'd prefer you to do and then go from there.

Depending on the timing of your period, your comfort level, and a healthcare professional's opinion, some may suggest you still come in for your appointment, and others may suggest you try another day.