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Women's Health

3 Things to Make Your First Pap Smear Less Intimidating

Lauren Smith, MASanjai Sinha, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD
Updated on January 16, 2026
Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | January 16, 2026

The first Pap smear can be unnerving, but they get easier as you get them every few years. In this video, learn what to expect for your first Pap smear and what the procedure feels like.

References

Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Pap and HPV tests.

Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). Wellness visit.

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Reviewed by:
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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