A Pap smear is performed during a woman's first prenatal visit with her obstetrician. If a woman who is pregnant has an abnormal Pap smear, her doctor will perform a colposcopy to determine whether she has invasive cervical cancer. A pregnant woman who has an abnormal Pap smear but whose diagnostic tests don't suggest invasive cervical cancer can safely postpone further examination and biopsy until six weeks after her baby is born.

A pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer can occur frequently in young patients. That is because the #1 cause of cervical cancer and pre-cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is a common virus with no cure and is sexually transmitted. In most patients it has no symptoms or warnings although some patients may develop warts. Most males can carry the virus with no symptoms.

She should have an annual Pap smear unless her doctor advises her to be tested more or less frequently.

Yes, if the hysterectomy was done because of cervical cancer or if a portion of the cervix remains. Her clinician can determine the need by examining her. This can be determined following the initial Pap test.

No. A Pap smear can detect abnormal conditions of the cervix or vagina but cannot determine whether the abnormality is cancerous.

Yes, if the hysterectomy was done because of cervical cancer or if a portion of the cervix remains. Her clinician can determine the need by examining her.

If the clinician recommends a Pap or mammogram at this time, Sage will pay. For women without problems, it is best to wait approximately a year between screenings.

It is best to reschedule you physical exam if you are on your period. The pathologists at the lab reviews your pap smear to detect any abnormal pre-cancerous cells. Blood that is present on the cells will skew his/her ability to properly read the pap smear. Feel free to contact our office and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment. If you are susceptible to yeast and other vaginal infections you may find that over-the-counter creams will treat the symptoms that you are having.

Women should talk with their clinician about when and how often they should have a Pap test. Current general guidelines recommend that women have a Pap test at least once every 3 years, beginning about 3 years after they begin to have sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21. Experts recommend waiting about 3 years after the start of sexual activity to avoid overtreatment for common, temporary abnormal changes. It is safe to wait 3 years, because cervical cancer usually develops slowly.

Pregnant women can have some light irregular bleeding during pregnancy, but it should not be like a “normal” period. Some women can confuse this for their period because often it can come right around the time she was expecting her normal period. The irregular bleeding or spotting that can occur during pregnancy is often a dark brown color or a light pinkish. It should not be enough bleeding to fill pads or tampons over a few days.

A colposcopy is required to evaluate an abnormal pap smear. A HPV DNA test may also be required to further test the pap smear that showed the abnormal cells.

The purpose of the Pap smear, in a patient who comes for regular visits to the gynecologist, is not meant to find cancer. Our hope is to pick up precancerous changes of the cervix, changes which occur before a cancer ever starts. The beauty of cervical cancer is that there is a gradual change from normal to cancer; it does not develop over night.

Since we are sub-specialists, we do not do annual exams or pap smears at Pelvic Specialty Care. We recommend that you have this done through your obstetrician/gynecologist or primary care provider. If you have questions about our services or you just want to let us know what you think, feel free to complete the form below or call us at 303-322-0500. Dr. Aguirre is the Director of Pelvic Specialty Care, The Center for Female Pelvic Medicine. Dr.

A speculum examination is done and a scraping taken from the cervix of uterus using a wooden spatula. This is a painless out patient procedure and does not need any anaesthesia. The scrapings from the cervix is smeared on to a glass slide and sent to the pathologist to study. Since the cause of this cancer has its origin in sexual activity, screening should be started from the time sexual activity commences.