Who Needs to Get a Pap Smear?

Well women visits are the best way to keep track of a woman's reproductive health overall, and any woman who needs a well woman visit needs to get a Pap smear. Most physicians recommend Pap smears beginning at age 21. This is true even for women who have had one sex partner, for women who have only been sexually intimate with women, for women who are menopausal, and for women who had a hysterectomy. In short, virtually every woman needs to have regular Pap smear testing.

How is a Pap Smear Done?

A Pap smear takes just a few minutes in the OB/GYN's office. The patient will lay in the same position that they do for a pelvic exam while the OB/GYN carefully expands the vaginal opening to access the cervix. With the cervix exposed, the OB/GYN will take a small cell sample. This cell sample can then be tested. While some people have minor discomfort during a Pap smear, it is typically over within seconds and patients can go about their daily routine immediately afterward.

How Long Will it Be Until Pap Smear Results are Known?

The OB/GYN will tell each woman what to expect in terms of test result timelines. Results may take up to several weeks. The OB/GYN or a staff member will contact patients with the results when they are available.

What if the Pap Smear is Abnormal?

Abnormal Pap smears are not unusual, and they are not a reason to panic. An abnormal result means that the doctor can isolate the cause and begin early treatment. Even if there are signs of cervical cancer in the Pap smear results, the patient will not necessary develop cancer, especially if treatment is started right away.