pap smear questions...?

Question

i kinda know what a pap smear is...?
do regular doctors do it?
when do you get it done?
How often?
How old should you be when you get it done?
What does it do?

If you can answer any of these questions that would be soo great thank!!!!!

Answer 1

How often should I have a Pap smear?

All women over 18 who have ever had sex are advised to have a Pap smear EVERY TWO YEARS, even if they no longer have sex. If a woman starts sexual activity at a younger age, screening should start within two years of first sexual intercourse.

As the most common type of cervical cancer usually takes up to 10 years to develop, there is little advantage in having a Pap smear more frequently than every two years.

Your general practitioner may recommend more frequent Pap smears if a previous smear showed significant cell changes or you experience problems, such as bleeding or pain after sex.


How is a pap smear performed?

You lie on your back or your side on the couch. An instrument called a speculum is slid gently into your vagina and then opened so that the doctor can see the cervix clearly, with the help of a light.
The smear is then taken with a thin spatula and a soft brush. It is really a very thin amount of mucus with cells that sit on the surface and the small opening of the cervix.
The smear is then placed on a glass slide, which is sent away to be tested.

Answer 2

A pap smear is a routine test used to detect cancer of the cervix or abnormalities of the cervix that could lead to cancer. The main purpose of the Pap smear is to screen for these abnormalities, because if they are found early enough, a person can be given treatment to prevent cancer from developing. Remember that pap smears do not detect STD's.

Most doctors can perform pap smears. It just depends on your doctor and what type of practice he runs. If it's just a small clinic, in most cases, he or she will refer you to an Ob/gyn.

You should have your first pap smear after you become sexually active. There's no "set age" as to when you should have the first one done because everyone becomes sexually active at different times in their lives.

You should have a pap smear each year once you have become sexually active.

Answer 3

OK - its a smear of the cervix and that area. Often done by the practise nurse, as well as the doctors. You don't really need regular ones until you are sexually active, and then its every three years. It is a test for cervical cancers - but also shows up a few other things too,, such as unusual changes. Always have it done about a week after your period - too close to bleeding can give false results.

Its not a painful procedure, but its certainly uncomfortable. Good luck.

Answer 4

You can get a regular doctor to do it or you can go to the ob/gyn. Last month I went for a physical and for my first pap. Since I'm not sexually active the doctor didn't see a need for me to get one now and preferred I came back after I've had sex. So that answers your question about when you should get one.

Answer 5

i'm pretty sure regular doctors do it. but i always go to our health clinic..

usually they say for a girl to have it either a) when she becomes sexually active or b) when she turns 18. whichever comes first.

as far as how often, it's recommended once a year.

as far as i know, they check for certain viruses, and make sure everything is healthy.

Answer 6

There is an entire FAQ on the PAP test at http://www.4women.gov/faq/pap.htm