Although not the same, a pelvic exam and a pap smear are both necessary components for a woman's health, although not for the same reasons. A pelvic exam is more concerned with the health of your vagina and pelvis, while a pap smear looks for abnormal cell changes that may potentially lead to cervical cancer.
A pelvic exam often lasts only a few minutes. Your doctor or other care provider checks your vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum and pelvis for any unusual changes. A Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, is often done during a pelvic exam.
A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer. The exam is performed to collect cells from your cervix in order to detect changes or abnormalities in your cervical cells. A Pap smear is sometimes confused with a pelvic exam because it is typically performed during a pelvic exam.
A pelvic exam is a routine and common physical exam used to check for signs of disease in female organs. A healthcare provider will check the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. During a pelvic exam, the healthcare provider may do a Pap smear to test for cancer.
Women age 21 to 29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing alone can be considered for women who are 25 to 29, but Pap tests are preferred. Women age 30 to 65 have three options for testing. They can have both a Pap test and an HPV test every 5 years.
Most cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The only sure way to find out if you have cervical cancer is to get a screening test (a Pap test and/or an HPV test). If you are a woman who has not had her cervix removed by surgery (a hysterectomy), keep getting tested until you are at least 65 years old.
Does a Pap smear hurt? A Pap smear should not hurt but may feel uncomfortable. You could experience light bleeding afterward, but you should not feel pain or cramping. Let your healthcare provider know if you feel discomfort lasting more than a few minutes or if the bleeding lasts longer than 24 hours.
These are recommended starting at age 21 for healthy women. But a girl who has problems like heavy bleeding, painful periods, or unusual vaginal discharge might need a pelvic exam sooner.
A pelvic exam can be recommended for several reasons, including the following: If you have symptoms—Symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex could point to a gynecological problem. A pelvic exam can help your ob-gyn diagnose the issue.
Q: Do pelvic exams hurt? A: No. Pelvic exams may feel uncomfortable, but they shouldn't feel painful. If any part of your exam is painful, please share your concerns with your provider.
Pap smears and pelvic exams help doctors assess gynecologic health, but they are not the same thing. A pelvic exam is a medical inspection of the reproductive system. A Pap smear, on the other hand, is a test to screen for cervical cancer.
We want you to know that your Pap smear is a test that is far too important to skip and doing so means cervical precancerous changes may go undetected until they have reached an advanced stage or turned into cancer.
The annual exam is done to check your overall physical health. The Pap smear screens for cervical cancer. A Pap smear may be offered as part of an annual exam. If you have a cervix and have ever been sexually active in any way, you need regular pap smears.
No, a pelvic exam is not the same thing as a Pap smear. They commonly occur during the same visit, but both are not a requirement for every appointment. Both serve as important ways to keep you healthy, including prevention of certain medical conditions and screening for cancer.
If it's unavoidable, that's okay—however, a period-free day is best, as it makes the exam easier for both you and your doctor. Another thing to keep in mind with timing and your pap smear: avoid vaginal intercourse, douching and any vaginally applied medicine for at least two days prior to the exam.
Prior to a Pap smear, you should abstain from sex for 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. During a Pap smear, a small brush will be swiped across your cervix to collect a sample of your cervical cells. During the physical exam, your provider will feel your abdomen and pelvis.
You may not need a Pap test every year, but if you're a woman who is 21 or older, you should have a gynecological (pelvic) exam each year as part of your wellness maintenance. During this exam, your doctor can assess your health and screen you for diseases based on your age and risk factors.
Here's what informed consent means in gynecological care.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to drink plenty of water before an abdominal pelvic ultrasound. A full bladder helps the transducer's sound waves travel, creating a clearer picture of your bladder. You usually don't need to do this for a rectal or transvaginal ultrasound.
You'll be left alone to undress and put on a gown. There will also be an extra sheet that you can use to cover yourself. Remember, the entire exam only takes about 5 minutes. Some girls think that having a pelvic exam will mean they are no longer virgins, but that's not true.
This will help them to evaluate whether cervical weakness could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor. Pelvic exams are usually done early on in pregnancy. If there are no complications, another exam is performed at around 36 weeks, to check for changes to the cervix.
You should start having screening at age 21, regardless of when you first start having sex. How often you should have cervical cancer screening and which tests you should have depend on your age and health history: Women who are 21 to 29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
Preparations Before the First Pap Smear Test
Wear something comfortable and easy to remove. Your doctor may ask to remove clothes from the waist down, but others ask their patient to remove all clothes, especially when they suggest a breast exam.
Many people who have a Pap smear notice light bleeding, or spotting, for a couple of days after the test. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern, and it usually goes away without intervention. This symptom may occur because the Pap smear can irritate the blood vessels of the cervix, which causes light bleeding.