Pap smears and HPV tests can catch issues early—long before they become cancer. Learn why these simple screenings matter and how to make the experience more comfortable.

Medically reviewed by Khadeja Haye, MD Key Takeaways You can still get a Pap smear while on your period, but heavy bleeding might affect test accuracy.Light bleeding or spotting usually won't affect ...

The term ASCUS indicates minor cellular change detected on Papanicolaou (Pap) test results. Since most abnormal changes that occur to the cervix are the result of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, ...

If you've been putting off scheduling your Pap smear-maybe for months, maybe longer-take a deep breath. There's no judgment here. While some women breeze through these appointments, many of us find ...