Definition:
A Pap smear is an examination under the microscope of cells scraped from the cervix.
Alternative Names:
Papanicolaou test
How the test is performed:
The Pap smear is done as part of a gynecological exam. You will lie on a table and place your feet in stirrups to position your pelvis for examination. The health care provider will insert an instrument (speculum) into your vagina and open it slightly to see inside the vaginal canal. The health care provider will take a sample of cells from outside and inside the canal of the cervix by gently scraping the outside of the cervix with a wooden or plastic spatula, then inserting a small brush that looks like a pipe cleaner into the canal. The cells are placed on a glass slide, or put in a bottle containing a preservative, and then sent to the lab for examination.
How to prepare for the test:
Tell your health care provider if you: Within 24 hours of the test, avoid: Douching Having intercourse Taking a tub bath - Using tampons
Avoid scheduling your Pap smear while you have your period (are menstruating), because blood and cells from the uterus may affect the accuracy of the Pap smear. Empty your bladder just before the test.
How the test will feel:
You may have some discomfort, similar to menstrual cramps, and a feeling of pressure during the procedure. You may bleed a little bit after the test.
Why the test is performed:
The Pap smear can detect cancerous or precancerous conditions of the cervix. It should be done on a regular basis (see physical exam frequency for how often Pap smears should be performed).
References:
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins. ACOG Practice Bulletin Number 45, August 2003: Cervical Cytology. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2003;102(2):417-427. Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Eyre HJ. American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer, 2006. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006;56:11-25. Wright TC Jr, Massad LS, Dunton CJ et al. 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology-sponsored Consensus Conference. 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;197(4):346-55.
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