Pap Smear

Getting routine Pap smears can save your life if you’re at risk of cervical cancer. At North Atlanta Ob/Gyn in Alpharetta, Marietta, and Atlanta, Georgia, the expert board-certified obstetrics and gynecology team completes Pap smears at women’s wellness exams when necessary to detect gynecological problems before serious complications develop. Schedule your next women’s health exam by phone or online today.

What are Pap smears?

A Pap smear is a diagnostic testing procedure in which your gynecological specialist views your cervix and takes a sample of cells from it to screen for cervical cancer. If you’re at risk of this type of cancer, your gynecologist may recommend you undergo a Pap smear test during annual women’s wellness exams.

When do I need a Pap smear?

Your gynecologist will determine if you require a Pap smear based on your age, lifestyle, and risk factors. They might recommend you undergo one beginning at age 21 and every three years after that, or every five years if they combine a Pap test with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.

What should I expect during the procedure?

When you arrive at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn for a Pap test and women’s health exam, the friendly staff greets you. They check your vital signs and review your lifestyle, health history, and symptoms if you have any.

Your provider completes a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, to evaluate your reproductive organs. They gently insert a speculum into your vagina and swab your cervix to obtain a sample of cells from it. The procedure is fast and painless. 

There’s no downtime associated with Pap smears so that you can resume a normal routine immediately afterward.

What happens if I have an abnormal Pap smear?

When the Pap smear results arrive, your provider reviews them with you. Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease, is a common cause of abnormal Pap smears. 

If the results come back abnormal, your provider might complete a colposcopy and use specialized magnifying instruments to get a better view of tissues in your vagina, vulva, and cervix. They may take a tissue biopsy during the procedure. 

Depending on the lab analysis results after a colposcopy, your gynecological provider might recommend watchful waiting, lifestyle changes, or undergoing a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove abnormal tissue and prevent complications. 

Don’t forgo Pap smears, especially if you’re at risk of HPV and cervical cancer. Ask the North Atlanta Ob/Gyn team for a Pap test during your next women’s wellness exam. Book an appointment over the phone or online today.