Index
Pap smear is a very important test for all women. It allows you to find any bacteria or alteration of the intimate flora and thus allows treatment for various diseases that could become harmful to women’s reproductive health. The Papanicolau is an exam that was conceived by the gynecologist George Papanicolau in the 1940s. Since then, the practice of this annual routine has helped to save lives and prevent cervical cancer and other diseases. A simpler branch than colposcopy (which consists of removing a small piece of the cervix for analysis), the Pap smear consists of removing vaginal discharge in women with an active sex life, even if they have not had sex for some time.
Pap smear checks for abnormal cells or unusual bacterial growth. The vaginal flora consists of several of them, but an unusual change could create a sick environment. The Pap smear also checks for sexually transmitted diseases . Among them and especially HPV, which could be the major cause of cervical cancer, syphilis, gonorrhea, soft cancer, and even signs of chlamydia.
How is Papanicolau done?
The Pap test is done with the woman with sexual abstinence of at least 3 days. It is also not advisable to do any type of vaginal shower a few days before the exam and that it be a week before the menstrual period or just after the cycle. Vaginal creams and ointments can interfere with the result, so they must be avoided at all costs and it is contraindicated. In the laboratory or doctor’s office, the woman must remove the lower part of the garment and lie down on the appropriate stretcher for Pap smear collection.
The speculum is introduced to be able to easily remove vaginal secretions. With a suitable shovel, the person in charge slowly removes the secretion from the cervix. After collection if necessary, the doctor will also assess the color and appearance characteristics of the patient’s internal vagina and vulva. Remembering that any presence of warts in the region is a warning sign for the presence of HPV (papilloma virus). Women who have never had sexual intercourse can also have cervical cells removed. The difference is the size of the speculum introduced so as not to cause damage and injury.
Can You Do Pap Smear?
Yea! In fact they should do it during pregnancy. The difference between a pregnant woman and a non-pregnant woman is the care that must be taken during the Pap test. It is not anywhere that the pregnant woman can perform the exam due to the greater risks for pregnancy. It is advisable to do it in a place where an obstetrician will collect the cells for analysis. Usually the professionals who collect the data are technicians or nursing assistants. Some doctors do it in their labs but for pregnant women, an obstetrician is the best choice .
Pap smear results
The result after microscopic analysis is divided into some classifications from 1 to 5. 1 being excellent and 5 some type of more severe problem. It is usually interpreted in this way:
Type I: Normal examination, without significant changes
Type II: Examination that presents some inflammation, recurrent in women with active sexual life and easy treatment.
Type III: Presence of alteration of cells, it is up to the doctor to check the type and treat accordingly.
Type IV: Probable cervical cancer. It is appropriate to indicate new exams for an accurate diagnosis, and if confirmed, specific radiological or chemotherapy treatment, as needed.
Type V: Invasive cancer. In this case, it is up to the doctor to analyze the removal of the cervix or even the hysterectomy. I also need treatment to stop the growth of malignant cells.
The treatment for each type of result varies, but in cases more like types II and III, vaginal ointments and oral treatment are prescribed. In the others, it is analyzed case by case to decide what to do to control the diagnosed disease. The test should be done on women of any age and, as stated earlier, even by virgin women. It is worth remembering that the exam must be done annually by the woman and if something is found suspicious, it should be repeated every six months.
See also: What is Naboth Cyst? – Causes and Treatment
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
