I recently went for my annual pap smear and experience vaginal bleeding following the exam. I am 22 years old and have had at least 4 pap smears done and have never experienced bleeding before. I am a little concerned, because I had to use two tissues before most of the blood was gone and then when I got home I noticed some dry blood as well. I also am experiencing some discomfort in my lower abdomen. The exam also seemed to be more painful than normal. I am thinking that maybe I was just nervous during the exam and tightened my muscles causing something to rub harder than normal. Does anyone know what might have caused the bleeding and discomfort and if this cause for concern?