What Happens During a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear is a simple screening procedure that can identify abnormal cervical cells. Periodically undergoing this test is an essential component of preventive care for women at various stages of life. Unless you have a family history of cervical cancer, your gynecologist will probably recommend that you schedule one every three years. Here, the friendly team at Genesee Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology explains what to expect during this procedure.
What to Expect During the Exam
The entire Pap smear procedure only takes a few minutes. After you lie on the exam table and put your feet on the footrests, the doctor will use a speculum to widen the opening of the vagina. This is a gentle, painless step that will allow the provider to examine the cervix. The doctor will look for any visual abnormalities before collecting a few tissue samples. You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort at this stage, but it will not hurt. It is entirely normal for the cervix to bleed a little from the scraping and is not cause for alarm. Your doctor will then remove the speculum and prepare the cells for the lab.
What to Do With the Results
At the pathology lab, the tissue samples will be tested for any abnormalities that might be indicative of conditions like cervical cancer. If the results come back normal, you will likely schedule your next Pap smear three years later. If the results indicate abnormalities, your doctor will conduct additional diagnostic tests. Fortunately, most conditions can be relatively easy to treat if detected early enough.
If it has been more than three years since your last Pap smear, or more than five years since your previous combined Pap smear and HPV test, turn to Genesee Valley Obstetrics & Gynecologist. With one office in Penfield, NY, and a second in Rochester, they are proud to care for patients throughout Monroe County. In addition to preventive care, they provide prenatal care and minimally invasive surgery. You can explore all the services they offer by visiting their website. To make an appointment, call (585) 232-3210.
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