wht is a pap smear?

The Papanicolaou Smear [aka Pap Test, Pap Smear] is performed as part of a routine pelvic exam. The Test is used detect precancerous cells, inflammation, infection and abnormalities of the cervix – including cervical cancer. Approximately 20,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually and account for an estimated 7,600 deaths each year. The Pap Test can detect the earliest signs of this cancer, and is the best way to ensure early intervention and treatment.

The gynecologist will introduce a speculum into the vagina. A speculum is a small instrument used to open the walls of the vaginal canal, affording visualization of the interior. A sampling of cells is then taken from the cervical canal by scraping the outside of the cervix with a device remarkably resembling a spatula, followed by the insertion of a small brush (the cervix brush or “Papette, which looks not unlike, of all things, a pipe cleaner). Once the cell samples are taken, they are fixed to a slide or placed in a bottle containing preservative and sent off to a lab.

The entire procedure can range between 10-20 minutes and can be mildly, albeit temporarily, painful.

Do not schedule your Pap during menstruation. The optimum time to undergo the Test is approximately 10-20 days *after* the *first day* of your *last* period. Avoid intercourse, baths, douching and use of vaginal creams, suppositories, foams, medications, deodorant sprays or powders for 24 hours prior to the Test in order to avoid inaccurate results.

If your results are normal – “negative” – nothing further is needed. If abnormal results are reported – “positive” – further investigation will be performed. In the case of infections, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. In the case of cell changes, a colposcopy may be performed, in which a special microscope is used to examine the cervix very closely. A biopsy will also likely be taken and further tested for abnormalities.

Paps are highly effective, but there is a slight chance of “false positive” or “false negative” results. In such cases, you and your physician will decide on the correct course of further testing and/or treatments.

Under the updated, new guidelines, women should begin having regular paps after first intercourse or age 21, whichever comes first.

It Is A Test Every Woman And Girls Gets Every Year. Ask Your Mother.

your feet are in stirrups so which you're like way open for them to look. then they inform you to sit down down on the factor of the sting of the seat and that they stick a speculum up your vag. that's not a lot relaxing, they're going to inform you to sit down down back yet truly you could't lol so as that opens you up wider so as that they might look. then they take a sawb with slightly brush element and a tiny scraper element lol (feels scratchy). then they take the speculum out and he or she sticks her finger up and makes specific each and every thing is in place and typical. you're accomplished.

A scraping of the cervix to test for cancer

another name for a cervial smear test

A FEMALE TEST DONE YEARLY, WHERE THE OBGYN TAKES SAMPLES OF TISSUE FOUND IN THE INTERNAL VAGINA, TO TEST FOR DISEASE OR ABNORMALITIES