Understanding and Reducing Pap Smear Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide

Women commonly experience some anxiety before undergoing their first pap smear, and some even go so far as to cancel the exam. Pap smear anxiety largely stems from a lack of information about the test and worries over the pain some women believe they'll experience. Luckily, most of these fears can be alleviated with a little education beforehand.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Gynecologist
• Female relatives and friends

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Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself about the pap smear by logging onto reliable websites that explain the reasons behind this routine screening, as well as how it's conducted. A 1993 study by Journal Watch found that women who were more informed about the pap smear experienced less anxiety than those who were not.

• 2

  Remind yourself that the pap smear is a routine exam used to prevent cancer and that every woman aged 18 or older should have one.

• 3

  Keep in mind that a pap smear is not painful but that the pelvic exam may be a bit uncomfortable. Knowing this, there's no need to brace yourself for a painful process that simply won't occur.

• 4

  Talk to your gynecologist about your concerns, and ask her to explain what will happen during the procedure. Many doctors already do this, especially for first-time pap smear patients.

• 5

  Ask your female family members and friends who have already had a pap smear about their experiences. They can give you a firsthand perspective on what it's like to get this screening and will likely confirm that although it may not be their favorite activity, it's nonetheless a simple, painless procedure that every woman needs to stay healthy.

• 6

  On the day of your pap smear, try some deep breathing exercises to ease any anxiety you may still have. Push your stomach outward and take a deep breath through your nose, filling your lungs completely. Hold your breath for a beat and then exhale slowly to keep yourself calm and remind yourself that you are in control of your body's reactions to a potentially nerve-wracking situation.