Pap Testing
What is a Pap Test? A Pap smear test is an important part of a woman’s health care. Your healthcare provider inserts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to allow better visualization of your cervix. The cervix is the lower end of your uterus, which lies at the top of your vagina. Then a small brush is used to allow your provider to obtain cells from your cervix to send to the laboratory for analysis.
When do I need a Pap smear? Anyone who is sexually active, or over the age of 21 should have a pap smear test to identify abnormal cells on your cervix. Some people may also have genital warts on the outside of the vaginal, but women infected with HPV, does not always have genital warts.
When should I bring my daughter for a Pap smear? Age 16 or anytime you think she may be sexually active, or may need sexually transmitted disease (STD) counseling.
When do I get my results? Your results can take 2-4 weeks to be processed by the laboratory. We will provide you with the telephone number of your lab to call for your results. If your lab tells you to call this office for your results, there may be changes in your Pap test that the lab is unauthorized to tell you. It will then be necessary to call our office lab for your results and follow up.
What is an abnormal Pap result? An abnormal pap can be a vaginal irritation or the result of an infection called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV causes precancerous changes on the cervix, which can then treat to prevent cancer
How can I be infected by the HPV infection? The HPV is a very common infection passed from person to person, usually, from sexual contact. Most sexually active women have been exposed to the HP Virus at sometime in their lives. Modern day Pap smears are more able to detect Pap smear abnormalities, which were undetectable in the past.
Can my Pap smear detect cancer? There are many different types of abnormal cells detected by your Pap smear. It takes many years for cancer to develop so the key is to have regular pelvic exams to enable your health care provider to treat any cervical changes early.
What are abnormal test results? Abnormal results are classified as: • ASCUS – some abnormal cells are seen which may only be due to an infection or early cell changes from the HP virus. • LGSIL – low grade dysplasia, early mild changes in the cells from the HP virus • HGSIL – high grade dysplasia, moderate or severe changes in the cells from the HP virus • AGUS – cell changes that show an increased risk of pre cancer or cancer of the cervix, or uterus. Carcinoma in situ – abnormal cells have spread deeper into the cervix to other tissues.
What do I expect if I have an abnormal Pap result? Usually we recommend that you have a colposcopy to take a closer look at your cervix under a microscope. Sometimes if you are under 30 years of age & after your colposcopy we just watch and wait to see your immune system helps to overcome the virus. HPV stays in your body and if you are sick or under stress the virus may show up again on your cervix. Smoking is also very detrimental to your gynecological health as the carcinogenic by-product of nicotine is passed out of your body through the vagina.
If I get pregnant how does HPV affect my pregnancy? Usually HPV does not affect your pregnancy. The only time that we may be more concerned with your pregnancy is if you have had numerous surgeries on your cervix which may result in a shortening of your cervix and pre term delivery of your baby.
Pap Smears and Vaginal Culture Results Pap smears take 3-4 weeks to process. If your results are abnormal you may need a colposcopy to look at your cervix under a microscope. To understand this procedure and for more information look at the website familydoctor.org under “colposcopy” For more information on the HPV (human papilloma virus) or any other sexually transmitted disease log onto: www.cdc/std web site, click on the topic of interest and then common questions” This site covers BV (bacterial vaginosis) genital herpes, HPV (human papilloma virus) gonorrhea and Chlamydia, syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and trichomonas
One Swab Results The “one swab” vaginal culture specimen that we took today will be about 1 week to be processed. The results may not be available to us for 7-10 days, but for us to adequately treat you; we need to wait for these results. Please call our lab if you do not receive your results in this time frame.