Q&A: Can douching cause an abnormal pap smear?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

My pap smear came back slightly abnormal. I douched for my discharge after delivery. Could that have caused the slight abnormality?

First of all, never, ever douche. Douching washes out all your natural defenses against things like yeast, and was probably invented by a man.

Secondly, there is no such thing as a "slightly abnormal" pap. Pap smears are screens, not diagnostic tests. In other words, they are designed to yank out of the general population those who need to be looked at more carefully. Either you need further evaluation or you don't.

This further evaluation may involve a mere repetition of the pap smear (conservative approach), or a colposcopy, a microscopic evaluation of the cervix (aggressive approach). Either way is legitimate, as long as you keep your appointments. I myself prefer an aggressive approach, but I can't say that my reasoning is any better than those who prefer a conservative approach.

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