Pap Test (Pap Smear, Pap Screening, Papanicolaou Test, Cervical Cancer Screening)

Description of the ProcedureYou lie on your back on an examination table. You will spread your legs and place your feet in foot rests. The doctor will insert a speculum, a medical tool, gently into your vagina. A wooden swab, brush, or stick is also inserted. It is used to wipe the walls of the cervix to get cervical cells. The speculum is removed, and the cervical cells are placed in a fluid-filled bottle or on a glass microscope slide. The cells are sent to a lab for testing. After ProcedureAfter the speculum is removed, a pelvic exam is done. The doctor checks your uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes, rectum, and bladder. How Long Will It Take?The pelvic exam takes less than five minutes. The Pap test takes less than two minutes. Will It Hurt?A Pap test is generally painless. You may feel some pressure or a small cramp when the cervix is wiped to gather cells. Possible ComplicationsNone Average Hospital StayNone Outcome Results of your Pap test are sent to your doctor within 2-3 weeks. Your doctor will then inform you of the results. If needed, she will talk to you about follow-up testing or treatment: If cells are normal, no treatment is needed. Have another Pap test with your next yearly pelvic exam.If an infection is found, treatment will be prescribed. If abnormalities are found, further tests will be done. Once your doctor determines the cause, she will discuss treatment options with you. Further tests include: Colposcopyexamination of the vagina and cervix with an endoscope, a fiberoptic tube attached to a viewing device Biopsyremoval of a small amount of cervical tissue for further testing Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following OccursSigns of infection, including fever and chills Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopauseBleeding after sexFoul vaginal odor, pain, or unusual vaginal dischargeSevere abdominal pain or swelling RESOURCES:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistswww.acog.org/ The National Women's Health Information Centerhttp://www.4woman.gov/ CANADIAN RESOURCES: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canadahttp://www.sogc.org/ Women's Health Mattershttp://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/ References: College of American Pathologists. College of American Pathologists website. Available at: http://www.cap.org/apps/cap.portal. Accessed June 9, 2008. Pap smear. University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology website. Available at: http://obgyn.uihc.uiowa.edu/. Updated 2004. Accessed June 9, 2008. Last reviewed January 2008 by Jeff Andrews, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.