Pap Smear
in Washington DC

A Pap smear is a medical test that is routinely used to check women for cervical cancer. Knowing more about Pap screenings and where to get them can help you avoid or diagnose cervical cancer early on, allowing you to obtain treatment.

Pap smear overview

A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer in women. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), this test entails taking a sample of cervix cells and examining them for cancer indications. Cervical cancer can be prevented or treated by working with your doctor if you have precancerous cells on your cervix. According to the National Library of Medicine, a Pap smear is also known as a Papanicolaou test or Pap smear test.

Pap smear (Pap test): What to expect

A Pap smear is a test that examines the cervix for the presence of cervical cancer and precancerous cells. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of precancers in the cervix, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (HPV).

According to the DHHS, Pap exams are generally advised for women between the ages of 21 and 65. Women should have a Pap smear every three to five years, depending on their age, or as often as their doctors recommend.

A Pap test is normally done at your doctor's office during a pelvic exam or a well-woman exam. Your doctor will normally ask you to remove your clothing from the waist down, lie down on an exam table, and put your feet in stirrups, according to the University of Utah. Your doctor will next take a sample of cells from your cervix with a long cotton swab. According to the University of Utah, your cell sample will be submitted to a lab to be tested for evidence of precancers and cervical cancer.

Who needs a Pap smear?

Most women between the ages of 21 and 65 should get a Pap smear, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It recommends that even if a woman is not sexually active, has received the HPV vaccine, or has previously gone through menopause, she should still undergo regular Pap screenings.

How often do you need a Pap smear?

The DHHS recommends getting a Pap smear test every three years if you're between the ages of 21 and 29. If you're between the ages of 30 and 65, the DHHS recommends getting a Pap smear every three years or a Pap and HPV co-test every five years.

If you're over 65 and have never been tested, or if you haven't been checked since you turned 60, the DHHS suggests getting a Pap test.

How to prepare for a Pap smear

Tampons, sex, douching, and vaginal creams or birth control foams should all be avoided two to three days before your Pap smear, according to the National Library of Medicine. It's also a good idea to get your Pap smear on a day when you aren't due to have your period. According to the National Library of Medicine, no other preparation is required for a Pap smear aside from these processes.

What happens during a Pap smear?

To begin, your doctor will ask you to strip down to your underwear and lie down on an exam table. Then, according to the University of Utah, your doctor will use a speculum to open the walls of your vaginal canal, giving your doctor a clear view of your cervix.

To take a sample of cells, your doctor will introduce a long swab into your vagina and gently swipe it against your cervix. According to the University of Utah, your cell sample will be transported to a lab where it will be examined and tested for the existence of precancerous cells and cervical cancer.

According to the National Library of Medicine, most women experience little to no discomfort during a Pap smear, while some women may experience pressure and mild discomfort akin to menstruation cramps. It goes on to say that some women may experience spotting or bleeding as a result of the procedure, which is totally normal.

What do the results of a Pap smear mean?

The results of a Pap smear can be normal or abnormal. The NLMl makes a point. When your results are ready, your doctor will contact you to discuss them.

Normal Pap smear

According to the National Library of Medicine, a normal Pap test means that the cells in your cervix were confirmed to be normal and that no symptoms of precancers or cervical cancer were discovered. In most cases, your doctor would advise you to return in three to five years for another routine visit.

Abnormal Pap smear

According to the National Library of Medicine, an abnormal Pap test indicates that abnormalities were found in your cervical cell sample. This does not necessarily imply that you are suffering from cervical cancer. According to the National Library of Medicine, your doctor may recommend additional tests or therapies to prevent your cell abnormalities from progressing to cancer.

How accurate are the results?

According to the National Library of Medicine, the Pap test is not 100 percent accurate, and cervical cancer can be overlooked in a tiny percentage of instances. It's also a good idea to avoid taking this test if you're on your period, as blood might skew the findings.

Does a Pap smear test for HPV?

A Pap smear test does not detect HPV, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It does, however, look for atypical cervical cells, which could be caused by HPV. If you're 30 or older, the DHHS recommends getting a routine HPV test.