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June 13, 2018

What to Do When Your Pap Smear Comes Back Abnormal (Panic is Not an Option)

Colposcopy Procedure Miami

Colposcopy Procedure Miami

Going into a medical facility for any examination is inevitably nerve-wracking at times. That anxiety can be heightened even more if the results you receive back are not what you expected. However, you should not immediately panic and assume the worst. As a woman, you may have an abnormal Pap smear at some point in your life, but that does not need to be a cause for concern. Our experts at Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women will guide you on how you should proceed, which usually involves a Colposcopy Procedure Miami.

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a procedure that is commonly administered by a gynecologist to screen for cervical cancer. If there are any existing pre-cancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix, a Pap smear will be able to detect them. This is a very routine procedure that is completed right from your doctor’s office. While you may experience mild levels of discomfort, the exam does not usually cause any serious, long-term pain.

Opinions vary between medical professionals, but most will agree that women should begin to receive pap smears about once a year after the age of 21. However, tests may be required more frequently if you are HIV positive or have an especially weakened immune system due to an organ transplant or chemotherapy treatment. After the age of 30, your doctor may allow for pap smears to be tested once every five years as long as you have had consistent, normal results.

Abnormal Pap Smear Results

Once the Pap smear is complete, your exam will be sent to a lab where it will be carefully inspected and tested. If you do happen to receive “abnormal” results back, do not panic! Abnormal Pap smear results are far more common than you may think and do not automatically mean that you have cervical cancer. In short, abnormal results suggest that abnormal cells were detected on your cervix. Some of those cells could be pre-cancerous, but it is more likely that the cells are mildly abnormal.

There is no one answer as to what you should do if and when you receive abnormal Pap smear results, which is why our professionals highly recommend that you work closely with your doctor to seek more information on the topic and determine the best solutions for you. Our doctors may advise administering Pap smear tests more frequently to monitor the abnormalities that were found.

In some cases, a colposcopy is recommended as a follow-up. This procedure allows specialists to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva more closely in order to diagnose conditions such as cervix inflammation, precancerous tissue, and genital warts. A colposcopy is a great way to further explore your Pap smear results and provide some much-needed peace of mind.  

Pap Smear Test

At Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women, we are passionate about helping women learn more about their own bodies in order to breed happy and healthy lifestyles. For advice on specific topics, such as what to expect from Colposcopy Procedure Miami, we are here to provide the guidance you need. Receive expert gynecological and obstetrical treatment by Dr. Susan Fox and call (305) 595-6488 or click here to schedule your appointment now!

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