Pap smear during ovulation

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Pap smear during ovulation
2
Thu, 01-15-2004 - 9:42am
I just had to have a pap smear while I was ovulating (meanwhile my husband and I are trying to conceive). Could the pap smear hurt my chances of conceiving this month?

Alexandra
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-14-2004
Thu, 01-15-2004 - 10:34am
I doubt it. The Pap is taken from cells on the surface of the cervix. You ovulate from the ovary and fertilization normally takes place in the Fallopian tube (far from the entry to your uterus). It only takes around 6 hours after sex for the sperm to reach the Fallopian tubes so those sperm are already well out of reach by the time the Gyn does the Pap smear. I also found this quote from a doctor:

"Pap smears are routinely performed at any time during pregnancy, and before pregnancy. In fact, unless there has been a recent pap, every patient gets one as part of her intake OB physical. The timing is not a concern."

William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG

Clarksville, TN

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Thu, 01-15-2004 - 10:47am
You put my mind at ease, thank you!

Alexandra