How Long After a Pap Smear Should I Abstain?

Pap smears tests for cervical cell abnormalities and cervical cancer and are done by inserting a speculum into the vaginal canal, then using a special swab to collect cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a lab for examination. 

Pap smears are recommended every few years (depending on your age), and because you don’t get them too often, it’s easy to forget what to do before and after your appointment.

One of the most common questions?

How Long After a Pap Smear Can You Have Sex?

There’s no official consensus on whether or not you can have sex after a pap smear. Ultimately it’s up to you and what feels right for your body.

That being said, it’s not uncommon to experience some bleeding or spotting, along with discomfort after a pap smear. This may be a deterrent when it comes to having sex, especially penetration.  

Your provider can give you clearer instructions on whether or not sex is a good idea for you right after a pap smear. If you’re feeling up to it and are craving a little intimacy, you may want to opt for non-penetrative activities like oral sex or a good old-fashioned make-out. 

Can you have sex before a pap smear?

We don’t advise it. 

You don’t get pap smears that often, so when you do, you want to take the steps to have the most accurate results possible. That includes abstaining from sex. 

Penetrative sex right before a pap smear can affect the results, so you’ll want to avoid it for about 24 to 48 hours before your appointment. That also means avoiding using lubes and sex toys as well as oral sex before a pap smear. This is mainly because all of these things can introduce bacteria into your vagina which can make it difficult to get an accurate pap smear result. 

It’s only a day or two once every few years – do it (or don’t do it) for your reproductive health!

Pap Smears, Sex and STIs

While we have you here, it’s important to take a second to talk about STIs. 

HPV is the most common STI out there. There are a number of different strains, some of which can lead to genital warts, while others can lead to cervical cancer, like we discussed. 

If your pap smear is all clear does that give you the go-ahead to have unprotected sex? Not necessarily. While it may mean you don’t have abnormal cervical cells, you still need to be proactive about your sexual health.

That means using barrier methods of protection like condoms or dental dams if you’re with a new partner or have multiple partners. Or if you do decide to have unprotected sex, you’re having clear conversations about testing and your STI status with your sexual partners.

Pap smears may tell you a lot about your cervical health, but they don’t paint the whole picture.

Preparing for a Pap Smear

Whether this is your first or your fifth pap smear, it can be nerve-wracking to be in the office with someone quite literally all up in your business. 

Besides brushing up on sex protocol before and after pap smears, we’ve got some other key tips for you on how to prepare for a pap smear.

• While it’s ok to get a pap smear on your period, try to avoid scheduling your appointment when you’re menstruating if you can avoid it.
• Come to your appointment with a list of questions about your sexual and reproductive health.
• You can take an OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen about an hour before your appointment to help minimize discomfort. 
• You may want to wear a panty liner in case you experience spotting after your pap smear.

If your results happen to be abnormal, we know this can be scary to hear. Abnormal results are incredibly common, and will likely clear up on their own within a few years. Your doctor will most likely recommend coming in for another pap smear in a year versus waiting another three to five years.

So just as a reminder – sex before a pap smear? No, not for the day or two before. Sex after a pap smear? Yes, only if it feels right for you and your body.