Understanding Pap Smears: 5 Important Questions

Maintaining a healthy reproductive system has always been a dream of every woman. However, a significant proportion of women usually experience difficulties while maintaining the wellness of the reproductive systems. For example, they can encounter reproductive complications such as cervical cancer, which can hinder their fertility. Notably, sexually transmitted infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) can convert cervical cells into cancer cells. Therefore, women should undergo White Plains Pap Smear for the early detection of cervical cancer before the conditions worsen. Here are five questions that every woman should understand about pap smears.

What is a Pap smear?

It involves the screening procedure that detects cancer in women’s reproductive systems. This procedure has helped reduce the complications of untreated cervical cancer among women worldwide. Notably, the specialists use a brush-like device to collect some cells from the inner part of the cervix. The pathologist then examines these cells’ appearance using the microscope to test whether they have abnormal growth.

When should you seek the Pap smear?

Women should undergo this procedure only when they turn 21 years. Also, females under thirty years should have the Pap test every three years when they persist with the normal results. When females turn thirty, they should undergo the HPV tests alongside the Pap smear as a requirement of the present guidelines. Once the patients get negative results for the two procedures, they should repeatedly seek screening every five years.

How do you prepare for the Pap smear?

You do not just wake up one day and undergo this procedure. It is necessary to prepare to get the best result. For example, you should refrain from sexual intercourse some days before the appointment since it may interfere with the results. Also, individuals should reschedule the Pap smear procedures when they have menstruation since the period may wash out some cervix cells. Avoid all kinds of vaginal medication two days before the Pap test appointment to reduce the chances of obscuring the abnormal cells in the cervix.

What are the results of the Pap smear?

After the procedures, the specialists will request you to come for the results within a few days. The specialist will provide either normal or abnormal results. When the doctor gets the normal results, it implies that you do not have any cancerous growth in your cervix. However, the abnormal results show that the patient could have HPV infections or cancerous cells in their cervix.

What is the risk of the Pap test?

The procedure is safe for you regarding cancer screening in the reproductive system. However, the procedures can give false results where the test can show no abnormality even when the patients have abnormal cells in the cervix. In most cases, false results occur when the procedure involves fewer cells within the sample.

Many women have been experiencing reproductive system complications, such as cervical cancer, which can cause infertility. However, the early detection of cervical cancer can help to offer the appropriate remedy to maintain a healthy reproductive system. At Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care, a team of professionals conducts a pap smear on females to detect the causes of cervical cancer. Visit the facility today to receive quality service.