Actually it could be, but…
menstruation illustration (pexels.com/Karolina Grabowska)
are you going to do Pap smear first time or it’s time Pap smear repeat? Maybe you have some questions. One of them, is it possible Pap smear done during menstruation.
In women with regular menstrual cycles, it’s fairly easy to schedule Pap smear when not menstruating. However, for some women, their period doesn’t always come as scheduled, or they don’t plan it well in advance when they make their appointment for Pap smear. When that happens, is it ok to stay Pap smear during menstruation? Or better reschedule until menstruation is over?
1. What is a Pap smear?
Pap smear is a test to help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. The cervix is the narrower, lower end of the uterus which opens into the vagina. During Pap smearthe healthcare provider collects cells from the cervix and sends them to a laboratory, as described in Medline Plus.
In the laboratory, cells are examined under a microscope for cancer or signs that they may be cancer. Cells that can become cancerous are called precancers. Finding and treating precancers can help prevent cervical cancer. Pap smear it is also a reliable way to find cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Pap smear look for abnormal changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous. Occasionally, the cells collected during Pap smear also be checked for HPV, a virus that can cause cell changes that can lead to cancer.
Pap smear and the HPV test is a cervical cancer screening test that looks for cancer before any symptoms appear. Research shows that cervical cancer screening can greatly reduce the number of new cervical cancer cases and deaths from the disease. Ask your doctor which test is right for you or whether you should get tested Pap smear and HPV.
During Pap smear, you will lie down on the testing chair. The doctor will use a plastic or metal instrument (spectulum) to widen the vagina, so that the cervix can be seen. The doctor will then use a brush or swab small soft tissue to collect cells from the cervix. The cell sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
Pap smear It is often done as part of a pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, the doctor examines the uterus, ovaries and genital area. However, a pelvic exam is not always included Pap smear. So, when you’re having a pelvic exam, ask your doctor if you need one too Pap smear.
Also Read: Getting to Know the Pap Smear and Its Benefits, Important for Women!
