Answers to Your Pap Smear Questions

Medical examinations consist of a battery of tests performed to assess your overall wellness at the time of your appointment. While there are plenty of measurements done for every patient, males and females do have a few different concerns when it comes to reproductive health. If you’re a woman who has never had an appointment with a gynecologist, the first meeting can be intimidating. To make you feel more comfortable, here are answers to a few questions you might have about getting pap smears in The Woodlands, TX, or any other community.

The purpose of a pap smear is to collect cells from the cervix to check for signs of cervical cancer. One of the main culprits responsible for the development of this disease is human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common infection spread by skin-to-skin contact. The doctor will use specialized equipment to scrape a few cells from the surface of the cervix and send it to a lab for analysis.  

The frequency of testing depends on a few different factors. If you have a family history of cervical cancer, your doctor might want to schedule this test as often as every two years. Younger women will generally adhere to this schedule as well, while a woman in her 30s might be able to push it to every three years. If you combine your exams with a HPV screening, doctors might only perform your pap smears in The Woodlands, TX, twice per decade.

While it’s true the exam can be uncomfortable, the good news is that it only takes a few minutes from start to finish. You’ll be asked to disrobe below the waist and drape a sheet over yourself to keep you from being totally exposed. The doctor will insert a device called a speculum to access the cervix and use a small swab to take a sample, and that’s it. It might feel odd, but it shouldn’t hurt, so be sure to report any physical discomfort to your physician immediately. Results can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks. 

Since HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, any women who are sexually active should get regular testing starting at age 21. You may have gotten a vaccine to prevent HPV infections, but there are other causes for cervical cancer. Since this virus is so common, you should still get regular screenings regardless of your sexual history. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your primary care physician. 

Now you have answers to your questions, you’ll hopefully feel more comfortable for all of your appointments for pap smears in The Woodlands, TX. Knowledge is a big part of understanding, so don’t hesitate to ask anything during your examination. You should always keep in mind that results showing abnormal cells don’t always mean cervical cancer, as many conditions will resolve themselves with time or routine medical care. By engaging in routine screening, you’ll have a better chance of catching this horrible disease before it progresses into an untreatable condition.