When Americans Learned That Australians Don’t Have To Go To The Gynecologist To Get A Pap Smear, A Huge Conversation Started, And It’s Another Reminder Of How Backwards America Can Be

Lots of Americans on TikTok have been in disbelief after learning that people in other countries apparently have the option to perform Pap smears on themselves via a mail-order kit, in the comfort of their own home.

According to the Australian government’s Department of Health website, performing a Pap smear on yourself is easy. This is because the sample is taken from your vagina — not your cervix (which is what is done during a traditional in-office exam).

Their website states, “All you need to do is insert a swab a few centimetres into your vagina and rotate it for 20 to 30 seconds.” In a traditional Pap smear, a medical provider uses a plastic brush with bristles to gather cells, so this could be another reason why the at-home Pap is not as unpleasant.

Sounds easy-peasy — that is, for people in Australia, Canada, British Columbia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden…

Because it’s not available in the US. So, to get more information about why this isn’t currently an option for Americans, BuzzFeed spoke to Dr. Marieme Mbaye.

Mbaye explained that a Pap smear is a screening test that checks for abnormal cells on the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer.

“Pap smears are important because they can catch changes very early on, before they become cancer. There are two parts to it — the ‘smear’ part, which is where a pathologist looks at a sample of the cervical cells under a microscope and assesses how normal they look, and an RNA test that looks for HPV, the virus that causes the vast majority of cervical cancers,” she explained.

That being said, labs are now able to test samples from the vaginal wall, as opposed to the cervix itself. But the reason at-home Pap smears aren’t widely available or considered standard yet in the US is because self-collected HPV tests are still being studied, according to Mbaye. “They could absolutely become a great tool for patients who may not have easy access to a provider who does Paps, or for those who have difficulty with pelvic exams for whatever reason. For now, though, in-clinic pap smears are still the most accurate and recommended option,” she said.

“Most people should start getting Pap smears around age 21, and repeat them every three to five years until age 65 as long as the results are normal,” said Mbaye, explaining that during an in-office Pap smear your provider will gently insert a speculum into the vagina to be able to see the cervix. “The cervix is the only part of the uterus that is in the vagina, it looks like a bagel or donut with a tiny donut hole. A small brush is then used to collect cells. It’s quick — if done right, it should be 30 seconds or less — and while it might feel a bit weird or uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful.”

If Pap smears make you uneasy, Mbaye said you can ask your provider if you are able to bring a support person or if anything can be adjusted to make you more comfortable. “Some providers will have a medical assistant or nurse to chaperone and help them during a Pap smear. You can also request the provider talk you through each step or ask for a smaller speculum (there are XS or pediatric speculums!). It’s your body — you should absolutely speak up!”

Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurance companies are required to cover once-a-year routine Pap smears and HPV testing 100% with no copay.

“I know paps aren’t fun. I’ve been on both sides and have seen many different reactions to them. So, try to think of them as an act of self-care, not just a medical task. If you’ve had a tough experience or feel anxious, you’re not alone, and you deserve a provider who listens, explains, and respects your comfort every step of the way. Ask your friends if they’ve had any providers they really liked, source recommendations online, and don’t settle,” Mbaye concluded.