Importance
A Pap Smear is also known as a Cervical Smear, and is important in women's health care. Every woman from her teens and even beyond menopause is recommended to undergo a pap smear every year, and if the woman is sexually active with many partners, it is advised to schedule a Pap Smear every six months. Pap Smears are conducted to diagnose and prevent conditions such as dysplasia, cervical erosion and various cancers.
Process
When receiving a Pap Smear the woman must lie down on a reclining chair, and slip her feet into the stirrups that are at the foot of the recliner. The doctor reclines the patient, leaving her on her back with her knees bent and apart, and her feet still in the stirrups. The doctor then examines the patient's breasts and abdomen to feel for irregularities before examining the vagina. A speculum is placed into the vagina, and then spread open, causing the device to hold the vaginal canal open for the examination. The doctor will insert a finger and feel for signs of abnormality and will ask the patient if she feels any discomfort or pain. A long cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the cervix.
Results
Results for a Pap Smear ordinarily take a couple of weeks to be deciphered and returned to the doctor from the lab that is in charge of conducting the tests on the swab test. If the woman receives a negative result, then there is nothing wrong with her. Reasons for needing to reschedule an appointment with the gynecologist include slight to severe dysplasia, which includes pain during intercourse and other activities. Sometimes, cancer is a responsible culprit for an abnormal Pap Smear, but not always.
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