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Pap Smear | Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Gential Warts
- What is a Pap test?
- Why do I need a Pap test?
- Do all women need Pap tests?
- How often do I need to get a Pap test?
- Who does not need regular Pap tests?
- I had a hysterectomy. Do I still need Pap tests?
- How can I reduce my chances of getting cervical cancer?
- What should I know about human papilloma viruses (HPV)?
- How would I know if I had human papilloma virus (HPV)?
- How do I prepare for a Pap test?
- Should I get a Pap test when I have my period?
- How is a Pap test done?
- When will I get the results of my Pap test?
- What do abnormal Pap test results mean?
- My Pap test was "abnormal," what happens now?
- My Pap test result was a "false positive." What does this mean?
- I don't have health insurance, how can I get a free or low-cost Pap test?
When Will I Know the Results of the Pap Smear? It may take several weeks to get the test results. If you haven't heard from your doctor's office after 3 weeks, give them a call to see if your results have come back.
What Do the Results of a Pap Smear Mean? A normal Pap smear means the cells from the cervix look normal. An abnormal Pap smear means the cells do not look normal. Sometimes repeat Pap smears are needed. Different tests also may need to be done, such as a colposcopy (the use of a special microscope to examine the cervix and vagina). Pap smears can occasionally show signs of infection but cannot be relied on to screen for sexually transmitted diseases. Other tests are necessary to determine the presence of an STD.There are several things you can do to help make the Pap smear as accurate as possible. These include avoidance of sex, douching and vaginal creams for 48 hours before the test.
What Happens If the Results Are Abnormal? An abnormal Pap smear does not necessarily mean that cancer cells were found during the examination. There are many causes for abnormal Pap smear results. Your doctor will evaluate the results to determine if further testing is necessary.
Why Would I Need to Repeat the Pap Smear? A repeat Pap smear may be necessary if you had an infection at the time of the test or if there were not enough cells collected during the test. Since decreased levels of the female hormone estrogen also can influence Pap smear results, menopausal women may need to take estrogen before they repeat the test.
If the results of the repeat Pap smear are still abnormal, your doctor may recommend that you have a colposcopy to further evaluate the problem.