The Pap smear is only one part of the yearly well-woman exam. Seeing a doctor is always a good idea, even if you aren’t due for an annual Pap smear to check for cervical cancer.
After all, these aren’t the only types of health checks advisable for women of varying ages. A cholesterol test, mammography, or colonoscopy could be overdue. This checkup may also be an ideal opportunity to get a yearly flu shot, depending on the season.
Furthermore, the well-woman exam is a great time to get to know your doctor. Health issues, lifestyle choices, and birth control alternatives are some topics that you could discuss during these checkups. You can always count on Dr. Andrew Krinsky in Tamarac, Florida, to provide you with comprehensive and compassionate gynecological care.
Wellness Checkups for Women
Well-woman exams are recommended for teenage girls starting at around age 13. The primary purpose of these visits will be to create a doctor-patient relationship and educate the patient on matters such as menstrual cycles, healthy eating, and the avoidance of sexually transmitted diseases.
After the age of 21, a yearly physical examination is practically required. Taking the vital signs, abdominal exam, clinical breast exam, and thorough listening to the heart and lungs may all be a part of the physical examination if you are of a certain age. This is when you’ll decide whether a pelvic exam is necessary.
What Is a Pelvic Exam?
Many people falsely believe that a Pap smear and a pelvic exam are the same, even though they’re not. Examining a woman’s pelvis helps doctors diagnose problems with her reproductive system and vagina, uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Although it only takes a few minutes, a pelvic exam can be emotionally and physically taxing for some women.
A pelvic exam consists of three parts, namely external visual, internal visual, and bimanual exam. During the external visual exam, your doctor will examine your external genitalia for any signs of infection, including redness, lesions, swelling, or other anomalies. For the internal visual part, the doctor will use a speculum (a medical tool made of metal or plastic) to enlarge the vagina so that the cervical and vaginal area may be examined. Lastly, for the bimanual exam, the doctor will want to assess the size and form of the ovaries and the uterus. And to feel for lumps, they will insert one or two fingers into the vagina and press down on the exterior of your abdomen or the spot they are examining.
During a pelvic exam, your doctor will take a cell sample for an HPV test or annual Pap smear if you are due for either.
When Is the Pelvic Exam Necessary?
Women over 21 have commonly been encouraged to undergo a pelvic exam. However, recently, the test’s ability to detect issues like ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women has been called into question. Several medical organizations have cited false positives, which can cause stress and additional testing that may be needless and expensive, as a potential drawback of the test.
Due to a lack of data, it is not yet possible to make a firm recommendation for or against regular pelvic exams. For the time being, it’s suggested that women talk to their doctors about how often they should get them.
By evaluating whether or not a given patient requires a pelvic exam, the doctor may have more in-depth knowledge about what might be happening inside a woman’s body. Symptoms that may warrant a pelvic bimanual exam include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Bleeding between periods
- Constipation and bloating
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Urinary incontinence
- Sexual problems such as dryness and pain
A pelvic exam is unnecessary before prescribing contraceptives, such as the pill, patch, injection, or implant, to a healthy woman who reports no bleeding, abnormal discharge, or other problems. However, a pelvic exam may be necessary when considering an intrauterine device (IUD) or a diaphragm.
Screening for Abnormal Cells – Pap Smear and HPV Test
Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and regular screening can almost always prevent cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer or cell alterations that might progress to cancer is done with two tests: a Pap smear and an HPV test.
Pap smear screens for precancerous cervix cells can progress to full-blown cervical cancer if left unchecked. A little sample of cells from your cervix will be scraped gently and sent to a lab for analysis.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is performed with Pap smears to detect the virus that can lead to abnormal cell development. It is still essential to get screened for HPV even if you have gotten the HPV vaccine.
Before undergoing a Pap smear, remember to:
- Plan your Pap smear for at least a week after your period has ended to eliminate any chance of contamination from menstrual blood. If you arrange an exam when you’re menstruating, your doctor may urge you to reschedule because your period might cause false negatives.
- You should wait up to two days before your menstruation starts to have sex. All vaginal products, including jellies, lubricants, lotions, and sperm, might skew the test findings.
- Relax during the test. We tighten the muscles in our pelvic floor when we’re nervous, which only adds to the pain.
- In most cases, a urine sample will be requested prior to the evaluation. To avoid tightening your pelvic muscles, go to the bathroom right before.
How Often Should You Undergo These Screenings?
What kinds of screenings you should undergo (and when) depends on your age and general health. A general guide suggests that women between the age of 21 and 29 should have a Pap smear about every three years. On the other hand, women between the age of 30 and 65 should get an HPV test with a Pap smear every five years or so.
Your doctor may recommend different intervals between pelvic exams and cervical cancer screenings depending on your medical family history and overall health. For example, if you had cervical cancer in the past or deal with a compromised immune system, your doctor may advise you to undergo screening more frequently. In that sense, it might be necessary to have an annual Pap smear or biannual well-woman exam.
You may no longer need routine screening if your cervix was removed during a hysterectomy. Standard screenings can be discontinued for women over 65 who have had them regularly without abnormal results unless:
- There was a case of past cervical cancer.
- HIV or transplants caused immunosuppression.
- Abnormal cervical cells developed due to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
- The patient was exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the womb.
Pap smears aren’t exactly fun, but they’re crucial for maintaining one’s good health. The same goes for pelvic exams if your doctor believes you should have one. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Gynecology & Women’s Wellness to schedule an appointment or get more information about Pap smears and well-woman exams.
