Pap Smear Exam – What to Expect

Pap smear or Pap test is short for the Papanicolaou test which is used to detect potentially dangerous abnormal cells in the cervix, which may be a pre-cursor to cervical cancer. The test was developed by a Greek doctor, Georgios Papanikolaou, and the test is named after him. Many women put off their annual Pap smear exam for a variety of reasons, but it has proven to be an effective tool in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Pap tests are also useful in detecting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, HPV and herpes.

Women who are sexually active are advised to have a regular Pap smear exam. Most doctors recommend one every year, but the guidelines for the frequency vary from one year to five years. If an abnormality is detected, a follow-up test is usually requested in three or six months to further assess the abnormality.

Pap tests have become widely used in many countries in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from cervical and other gynecological cancers. Generally, screening starts at about 20 years of age and continues until the age of 50 or 60 years. For women who have never had a positive Pap smear, there is little benefit in continuing to screen after the age of 60.

What happens during the Pap smear exam?

You might be asked to change into an examination gown or to simply remove your panties. Then you will be asked to lie on an examination table, on your back, with your knees bent so your feet are flat on the table. The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina to give access to the cervix, which is on the inside of the vagina. The speculum is a metal tube that expands inside your vagina to give better access to the cervix. To make insertion of the speculum easier, it is best if you can relax your muscles and try not to tense up.

A special tool is used to gather a specimen of cells from the cervix. These are then placed on a glass slide which is sent to a laboratory for inspection under a microscope. The doctor then removes the speculum and the exam is all finished.

Women complain of symptoms from mild discomfort to severe discomfort or pain, and some report mild cramping or spotting after the procedure. However, many women report no discomfort at all, and say the thought of the test is much worse than the actual Pap smear exam.

When will I get the results?

Most doctors do not contact you with the report of the findings of the pathology lab, unless the test shows some abnormalities. You might be asked to contact the doctor’s office several days after the test to be given the results.

Most Pap smears are normal; of those that have abnormal results, most are only slightly abnormal and require no treatment. Most low-grade cervical dysplasia cases correct themselves and do not lead to cervical cancer. However, any abnormal results to a Pap test indicate that regular screening is necessary, possible at shorter intervals.

The effectiveness of the Pap smear exam has been proven by the reduction in the number of deaths from cervical cancer. In countries where women are regularly tested, this reduction reaches levels of up to 99%. These statistics should be sufficient evidence to make all sexually-active women receive regular Pap tests.

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