Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.

It is normal to feel apprehensive before your appointment with one of our gynecologists. You may wonder, ‘Is it ok to go to the gynecologist while on your period?’ You may also wonder what happens at a gynecology appointment. If you are like many women, you are especially concerned when you notice that your appointment happens to fall on a day when you are having your menstrual cycle. We often hear this question from our patients, ‘Can I go to the gynecologist on my period?’

You may be worried about the embarrassment of having an examination while you are bleeding, worried about an odor, or even your hygiene. You may be concerned about the exams. So, ‘Can a gynecologist check you on your period?’ You may also wonder, ‘Can you get a pap smear on your period?’

OBGYN Appointment During Period

What Happens At A Gynecology Appointment?

So, is it ok to go to the gynecologist while on your period? We understand these feelings and concerns. This uneasiness may cause some women to consider rescheduling or even canceling their appointment. Our doctors would rather you keep your appointment, however, and we will explain why.

It is common and completely normal to feel nervous about your visit, especially when the date coincides with your period. Remember, though, that we will still be able to perform most, if not all, of the same tests and procedures that we would normally perform if you were not actively having your period. Also, realize that our doctors often see patients while they are having vaginal bleeding. But you may still be wondering, ‘Is it ok to go to the gynecologist while on your period?’

We hope that after you learn the details of what happens at a gynecology appointment, you will feel more comfortable. And we hope this answers the question, ‘Can I go to the gynecologist on my period?’ Whether this is your very first visit to a gynecologist, or you have made it a priority to keep your annual exam at your gynecologist for many years, it helps to be reminded of what to expect at your visit.

Female Gynecologist Working With Patient in Clinic

What Happens At A Gynecology Appointment?

  • One of our OBGYNs will ask questions to better understand your health and history, especially if this is your first visit
  • These questions may include gaining information about your menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and family history
  • Realize that these questions may get very personal, and sometimes a bit difficult to answer, but please be honest and open when answering. After all, your visit is all about keeping you healthy
  • Your doctor will perform a general physical exam, details will be gathered about your height, weight, blood pressure, and other vital information about your current health condition
  • As your doctor performs the rest of the examination, a second staff member, usually a female nurse, will stay in the room with you and your doctor for the remainder of the visit, especially if that makes you more comfortable
  • Usually, an external genital exam is next, meaning your OBGYN will examine your vulva for any abnormalities
  • Your doctor will then perform a pelvic exam if you are sexually active and a pelvic exam plus a Pap smear if you are over 21, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; please visit www.womenshealth.gov or www.acog.org for more information
  • During the pelvic exam, your doctor will gently insert a speculum into your vagina to examine your vagina and cervix
  • They also may use a gloved hand to gently check your internal organs to detect any abnormalities
  • If you have a pap smear or HPV test, a little brush or spatula is used to take a small sample of cells from your cervix to examine for any abnormal cells
  • A breast exam will be performed, your doctor will check for lumps or any changes to your breast tissue and possible discharge from your nipples. Your doctor will also check the surrounding chest areas, including under your arms, for any abnormalities
  • Remember that your doctor will perform tests and ask these important questions only to evaluate and diagnose any current or potential sexual or reproductive health problems you may have
  • Also, keep in mind that our doctors and our staff will always keep your information completely confidential

Can You Get A Pap Smear On Your Period?

Now that you know what happens at a gynecology appointment, we would like to answer some common questions about testing. Can you get a Pap smear at an OBGYN appointment during your period? Yes, you can. It is ideal, however, to schedule your Pap smear test, short for Papanicolaou test, about 5 days after your period, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. You can read more about this at www.ASCO.org.

Is it ok to go to the gynecologist while having your period and still get a Pap smear? Yes; because it can detect precancerous or even cancerous changes in the cells of the cervix, it is important to not miss a Pap smear. Your doctor will normally wipe away the blood or any vaginal discharge before taking the sample. This process will help enable the lab to detect any cell abnormalities in the sample.

Can you get a Pap smear on your period and it still be accurate? A Pap smear test can still be performed even if you are having your period and the accuracy of the test is rarely affected with light or normal bleeding, according to studies done by The British Journal of Cancer; please see www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov for further research on this topic.

If your pap smear interpretation is inconclusive, you may need to reschedule a second Pap smear test. Make sure and reach out to us with any questions you have about getting a Pap smear, especially if your period is heavy.

Can I Go To The Gynecologist On My Period To Have Other Tests Done, Like The HPV Test?

At your visit, you may also get an HPV test, short for Human papillomavirus. This test, like the Pap smear test, can also be performed during your menses. The HPV test does not detect cancer, rather it is used to determine if there is the presence of the Human papillomavirus, which may lead to cancer, according to The British Journal of Cancer; please see www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov for more information.

It is important to remember that these tests are essential in the early detection and possible prevention of serious health concerns in the future.

Our doctors understand that your appointment may be scheduled months in advance, so you may end up at our office while you are on your menstrual cycle. According to the American College of Gynecology, at www.ACOG.org, it is a good idea to keep your appointment and go ahead with the test, rather than miss your test because of your period.

What Can I Expect At My OBGYN Appointment During A Very Heavy Period?

‘But what if my period is very heavy? What if I am soaking through an entire pad in an hour or less?’ ‘Can I go to the gynecologist on my period?’ Yes, it is still recommended to keep your appointment, because heavy bleeding can be a symptom of more serious health issues.

However, it may also be a good idea to call your doctor before your visit to get the best recommendation for your specific health situation. Our doctors often see women while they are bleeding heavily. Thus, it is still a good idea to visit your gynecologist to get the best advice and diagnosis.

It May Even Be A Good Time To Discuss Changes To Birth Control And Perform Certain Procedures

What if I need to have a procedure done? Is it ok to go to the gynecologist while on your period? Some procedures, like the insertion and removal of an IUD (Intrauterine Device), are much easier to perform during your menstrual cycle. Plus, since you most likely are not pregnant, if you are considering starting a new birth control method, either a prescription pill or an injection, it is a good time to begin those types of birth control at the start of your menstrual cycle.

Young Woman Patient With a Senior Gynecologist During the Consultation in the Office

Can A Gynecologist Check You On Your Period And Still Perform a Pelvic Exam?

As mentioned earlier, the examination of the vulva, vagina, and cervix will be done. What about those areas? ‘Can a gynecologist check you on your period?’ Yes, they will still be able to perform the examination. Rest assured that some normal vaginal bleeding will not interfere with a regular pelvic exam. If needed, a large, leak proof pad will be placed underneath you. Your doctor and their staff will do everything in their power to help you stay clean and make you feel comfortable during your exam.

As such, it is most likely ok to keep that appointment, but as always, reach out to one of our doctors with any specific questions you have about your health that were not covered here.

We sincerely hope this article has helped put your mind at ease. Now that you know more about what happens at a gynecology appointment while you are having your period, please feel free to share your comments on this topic.

We look forward to answering any additional questions or concerns you may have. Please visit our website or contact Dr. David Ellman at Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton for more information on this or other topics. You will find our contact information listed below.

Also, please reach out to us if you have any questions about other services that our healthcare professionals offer. And as always, feel free to share your story, it may help another woman make the best decision for her health.

Dr. Ellman is a Board Certified OBGYN who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. His office, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, is located in Boca Raton, Florida at West Boca Medical Center. Dr. Ellman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he received his medical degree. He went on to intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston- an affiliate of Harvard Medical School- and continued his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York- an affiliate of Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

Published On: March 12th, 2021