OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that lubrication of the vaginal introitus and external speculum does not adversely affect Papanicolaou interpretation.METHODOne hundred eighty-two patients presenting for Papanicolaou smears as part of their visit were randomly assigned to have either only warm water or a water soluble lubricant to assist speculum insertion. Cytotechnicians and pathologists were blind to the cohort from which smears were obtained.RESULTSTwo unsatisfactory smears were found among 93 patients with the lubricant and two were found among 89 using only warm water. No significant difference was found using thettest for continuous variables and χ2for categoric variables.CONCLUSIONUse of a water soluble lubricant on the vaginal introitus and external speculum facilitates examination with no adverse effect on Papanicolaou smear interpretation.