Schedule the test when you are not having your period
Avoid douching, vaginal creams, suppositories, or intercourse for 24 to 48 hours before the test
Empty your bladder before the exam
Remove clothing from the waist down and lie on the exam table
Place your feet in the stirrups and relax your pelvic muscles
The healthcare provider inserts a speculum into the vagina
The healthcare provider opens the speculum to see the cervix
The healthcare provider uses a small brush or spatula to collect cells from the cervix
The sample is placed on a slide or in a liquid container
The speculum is removed
The sample is sent to a lab for testing
Follow any instructions from your healthcare provider after the test
Ask when and how you will receive the results