Pap Smear: Uses, Preparation, Procedure and Results

Pap smears, sometimes called Pap tests, are screening procedures for cervical cancer. It checks for cancerous or precancerous cells in your cervix. The opening to the uterus is known as the cervix.

During the routine procedure, the cells in your cervix are carefully scraped away, and any abnormal growth is examined. Even though the discomfort might not be severe, permanent pain rarely occurs.

Continue reading to learn more about who needs a Pap smear, how often you should have one, what to do before the test, and other related issues.

For What Purpose Is A Pap smear Required?

The American Cancer Society suggests that screening should start at age 25. Certain women are more likely to have an infection or develop cancer. It might be necessary to conduct tests more regularly if:

• Your immune system is weakened because of chemotherapy or an organ transplant.
• You are positive for HIV.

If you are over 25 and have never experienced an abnormal result, ask your doctor about obtaining a Pap test every five years if it is combined with an HPV screening. current guidelines and practice standards recommend getting an HPV test every five years for anybody between the ages of 25 and 65.

The HPV virus causes warts and increases the risk of cervical cancer. HPV strains 16 and 18 are the main causes of cervical cancer. An increased risk of cervical cancer may exist for HPV carriers.

A woman may not need to have a Pap smear in the future if she is above 65 and has a history of normal results. Pap smears should still be repeated depending on your age and level of sexual activity. The HPV virus tends to suddenly become active after going years without doing anything.

Also Read: Cholestasis Of Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

How Can You Prepare Yourself For A Pap Test?

You can schedule a follow-up visit with your gynecologist or include a Pap smear in addition to your yearly exam. The majority of insurance policies pay for Pap smears. If your menstruation is scheduled for the day of the test, your doctor could want to reschedule your Pap smear because the results may be less accurate.

Avoid douching, spermicidal product use, and sexual activity the day before your test since these may have an impact on the results. For the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, a Pap smear can typically be done safely. 

After that, the examination may hurt considerably more. Additionally, you should wait until 12 weeks after giving birth for the most accurate findings. The Pap smear treatment tends to go more smoothly when you are at ease, so it is important to be composed and take deep breaths throughout.

Also Read: Placental Abruption: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

How Is A Pap Smear Performed?

Pap smears can be slightly, although the process is quick. During the procedure, you will be placed on an examination table on your back, with your feet supported up with stirrups and your legs spread wide.

Your doctor will take out a speculum that was carefully placed into your vagina. By keeping the vaginal walls open, this device permits access to the cervix. Your doctor will scrape off a tiny sample of cells from your cervix. Your physician can get this sample in a few different ways:

• Some people use a spatula as a tool.
• A brush and a spatula are used by some people.
• Some use a device called a cytobrush, which combines the capabilities of a spatula and a brush.

The quick scrape is felt by most women as a slight push and irritation. A sample of cells taken from your cervix will be preserved and sent to a lab for analysis to see whether any abnormal cells exist.

After the exam, you can have mild cramps or some stiffness from the scrape. Furthermore, very minor vaginal bleeding may occur immediately following the test. Report any bleeding or pain after the test day to your doctor.

Also Read: Vaginal Agenesis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

What Can Be The Results From Pap smear?

The results of a Pap smear might be either normal or abnormal.

Normal Pap test results

No abnormal cells were discovered, if your test findings are normal. Sometimes, typical outcomes are described as negative ones as well. If everything checks out normal, you probably won't need another Pap smear for another three years.

Abnormal Pap smear results

If the test results are abnormal, you may not necessarily have cancer. All it shows is that there are abnormal cells in your cervix, some of which might be precancerous. There are various levels of abnormal cells:

• Atypia
• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe dysplasia 
• In situ carcinoma

In cells, less severe anomalies are more prevalent than milder ones. Considering the results of the test, your doctor may suggest:

• Increasing the frequency of your Pap smears 
• Get a colposcopy to look more closely at your cervical tissue. During a colposcopy exam, your doctor will utilize light and magnification to enhance visibility of the cervical and vaginal tissues. They may also do a biopsy in some cases, which entails removing a sample of your cervical tissue.

Also Read: Cystocele: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

How Accurate Are The Findings For Pap Smear?

Tests such as Pap smears are incredibly accurate. Cervical cancer incidence and mortality are at least 80% lower with routine Pap screenings. Even though there can be some short-term discomfort, doing so can benefit your health.

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How Is Pap Smear Associated With Hpv?

A Pap smear is performed with the HPV test. A Pap smear test's primary goal is to find any cellular alterations in the cervix that may be brought on by HPV.

Therapy can begin before the condition worsens and spreads thanks to the early discovery of cervical cancer cells by Pap screenings. HPV can also be detected on the Pap smear sample.

Sexual interaction between men and women can spread HPV. To lower the risk of infection, use a barrier strategy during your sexual activities, such as a condom. As they run the risk of contracting HPV, all sexually active women should get Pap smears at least every three years.

The test does not detect other sexually transmitted illnesses. Although it is not a cause to rely on it, occasionally it can identify cell development symptomatic of other cancers.

Also Read: Galactorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

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