摘要
AIM: To evaluate the role of lubricant gel in the cytology of a Pap smear and whether it results in an improvement in the discomfort experienced by women while undergoing Pap smear screening.METHODS: A total of 151 women were analyzed in the study. After screening for inclusion criteria, a Pap smear was taken with no lubricant in all the women and the discomfort experienced was rated on a visual analogue scale. The women underwent a second Pap smear on the next visit using a lubricant gel and were again rated on a visual analogue scale for the discomfort felt. The pathologist was blinded to the fact of whether the lubricating gel was used.RESULTS: The number of unsatisfactory smears in the no gel group was 3 vs 5 in the gel group, P < 0.05. However, a significant difference(P = 0.00) was observed in the visual analogue pain score in both groups, suggesting that application of lubricant gel over the speculum improves the pain experienced by women. CONCLUSION: Using a small amount of lubricant overthe speculum does not impair cervical cytology but significantly improves the discomfort experienced by women while undergoing a Pap smear.
AIM： To evaluate the role of lubricant gel in the cytol-ogy of a Pap smear and whether it results in an im-provement in the discomfort experienced by women while undergoing Pap smear screening.METHODS： A total of 151 women were analyzed in the study. After screening for inclusion criteria, a Pap smear was taken with no lubricant in all the women and the discomfort experienced was rated on a visual analogue scale. The women underwent a second Pap smear on the next visit using a lubricant gel and were again rated on a visual analogue scale for the discomfort felt. The pathologist was blinded to the fact of whether the lubricating gel was used.RESULTS： The number of unsatisfactory smears in the no gel group was 3 vs 5 in the gel group, P 〈 0.05. However, a significant difference （P = 0.00） was ob-served in the visual analogue pain score in both groups, suggesting that application of lubricant gel over the speculum improves the pain experienced by women. CONCLUSION： Using a small amount of lubricant over the speculum does not impair cervical cytology but significantly improves the discomfort experienced by women while undergoing a Pap smear.
