When a woman has a pap smear performed, do they actually take a tiny piece of skin/flesh/whatever you call it, or do they simply swab an area with a Q-Tip?
2006-09-26 02:36:51 · 6 answers · asked by LUCIFER 5 in Health ➔ Women's Health
It's not just a swab. That's why there's a slight pinch when they remove a tiny bit of tissue. Some women even bleed a tiny bit after PAP smears.
The swab would be for STD tests.
"A sample of mucus and cells will be obtained from the cervix (see Multimedia File 2) (the part of the uterus that extends into the vagina) and endocervix (the opening of the cervix) using a wooden scraper or a small cervical brush or broom."
So it's actually cell removal, not just a swab.
2006-09-26 05:30:00 · answer #1 · answered by Moxie1313 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, only in a biopsy is a tissue sample taken. During a pap smear, the smear refers to swabbing the cervix area.
2006-09-26 04:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by Betty Boop 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very tiny piece of skin. They test the cells of your cervix. They can't do that with a swab. They might also swab during the exam to test for sti's.
2006-09-26 02:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A simple swab tests the cells.
2006-09-26 02:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by ♥monamarie♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They only swab with a Q-tip.
2006-09-26 02:40:03 · answer #5 · answered by shashylake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty sure it is a swab they use, whereas a biopsy would involve taking of a skin sample.
2006-09-26 02:38:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jim G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋