A Pap smear checks for abnormal cells of the cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus and is located at the top of the vagina. A Pap test is a quick and normally painless screening test for cervical cancer. 

 

There are many reasons why your Pap test could be abnormal, including infection, irritation, hormonal changes, benign growths and pre-cancer cells. If you have an abnormal Pap test it does not mean that you will ever have cancer, but you do need to discuss the results with your provider to determine what type of follow-up is appropriate.  This could be a second Pap test or a colposcopy, which is an office procedure to look at the cervix through a microscope (called a colposcope) and take a pinch of tissue or biopsy from any area that looks abnormal.

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Contact​​ Dr. Gupta at Bayside Gynecology of Maryland to set up an appointment for a Pap smear.