How is a Pap test done?
A Pap test is simple, quick, and painless; it can be done in a doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital. While a woman lies on an exam table, the clinician inserts a speculum into her vagina to open it. To do the test, a sample of cells is taken from in and around the cervix with a wooden scraper or a small cervical brush or broom. The specimen (or smear) is placed on a glass slide or rinsed in liquid fixative and sent to a laboratory for examination. 6. Who should have Pap tests? A) Women who are or have been sexually active, or have reached age 18, should have Pap tests and physical exams regularly. Women may want to discuss with their doctor how often to have the test. There is no known upper age at which Pap tests cease to be effective. Older women should continue to have regular physical exams, including pelvic exams and Pap tests. Women who have had consistently normal Pap test results may want to ask the doctor how often they need to have a Pap test. Women who have had a hystere
Your doctor can do a Pap test during a pelvic exam. It is a simple and quick test. While you lie on an exam table, the doctor puts an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix. She will then use a special stick or brush to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix. The cells are placed on a glass slide and sent to a lab for examination. While usually painless, a Pap test is uncomfortable for some women.
The test checks for changes in the cells of the cervix, located at the top of the vagina. It is a simple test that takes a few minutes and is completely safe. A small spatula or brush is used to wipe the cells from the cervix. The cells are sent to a laboratory to be tested. Having a Pap test can feel uncomfortable, but it should not hurt. If it is painful, tell your doctor or nurse.
