Pap Smear

The purpose of a pap smear is to ensure that potentially dangerous changes to the cervix are caught as early as possible. The Healthy Woman ObGyn providers offer pap smears to women at their offices in Snellville, Lawrenceville and Atlanta East, Georgia. Patients can make an appointment for a pap smear by calling the office.

What is a pap smear?

A pap smear is a test designed to check a woman’s cervix for signs of abnormal cell growth. The primary purpose of this test is to screen for cancerous or precancerous cells.

What happens during a pap smear?

During a pap smear, a qualified provider at The Health Woman asks the patient to recline on the exam table with her feet in the stirrups. The provider inserts a speculum into the vagina and uses a small brush to collect a few cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

What do the results of a pap smear mean?

The results of a pap smear may be normal or abnormal. A normal result means that the cells collected during the pap smear appear to be normal. If the result is abnormal, the cells collected during the pap smear appear to be abnormal.

An abnormal result doesn’t necessarily mean that the patient has cancer. Patients may have an abnormal result because of cervical cancer, precancerous cells, or a problem with the test. It’s possible to have a normal result and still have cervical cancer in rare cases.

What happens if a patient has an abnormal pap smear?

If a patient has an abnormal pap smear, further testing will be required. In some cases, the provider may order another pap smear. In other cases, more extensive testing may be necessary. If the patient's provider confirms a diagnosis of cervical cancer, they will refer the patient to an oncologist for treatment.

How often are pap smears necessary?

Women should begin getting pap smears after they reach the age of 21 or become sexually active. Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have a pap smear at least once every 3 years. After the age of 30, women can begin getting pap smears once every 5 years if they also get HPV testing.

Are pap smears painful?

Pap smears shouldn’t be painful. However, some women may experience mild discomfort during the exam. Following the exam, some women may notice cramping and/or bleeding. In most cases, these side effects subside quickly.