General Gynecologic Care

Pap Smear Test

General Gynecologic Care

Women’s Health and Wellness Center

OBGYN Pavilion is one of Miami’s most trusted women’s health and wellness center, known for their caring and experienced doctors and staff. We provide our patients with a professional and comfortable environment.

At Pavilion for Women’s Health we offer general gynecologic care such as:

• Annual exams for unusual pap smear, breast cancer screening,
  diabetes, immunization, and hypertension
• STD screenings, prevention, counseling, and treatment.
• Premenstrual  and Menopausal management
• GYN surgeries
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Infertility evaluation and treatment
• Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
• Urinary Incontinence Evaluation and Treatment
• Uterine Endometrial Ablation

At OBGYN Pavilion we understand the importance of routine exams and provide our patients with the best care. Our doctors will help you and guide you through every stage of your life, from premenstrual management to childbirth to menopause and everything in between. If you’d like more information on our services, please call our office at (786) 615-6123.

Pap Smear Test

At OBGYN Pavilion we understand the importance of routine exams and provide our patients with the best care. It is important for women to have a Pap smear test, along with pelvic exams. During a Pap smear test, cells are scraped from the opening of the cervix. Your cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. These cells are examined in a lab under a microscope for any changes.

A Pap smear can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer and if found early enough, you will have a greater risk of being cured. Meaning having a Pap test can literally save your life. Along with cervical cancer, infections and abnormal cervical cells can be detected through a Pap smear.

You should include a Pap smear as part of your routine health care if:

•   You are 21 years of age or older

•   Under 21 years old and either currently or have been sexually active for 3 years or more.

It is important to note that there is no age limit for a Pap smear and even women who have gone through menopause need to have routine Pap smears. However, women who are 65 to 70 years of age can speak to their doctors about discontinuing their routine Pap smears if they have had 3 normal Pap tests in a row, are not sexually active and have no record of abnormal results in the past 10 years.

Doctors suggest to avoid certain actions 2 days before a Pap test since, they may interfere and cause wrong results.

These actions include:

•   Using tampons
•   Douching
•   Using Vaginal sprays, creams, powders or medicines
•   Having sex

The best time to have a Pap test is 10 to 20 days after the first day of your last period.

Pap Smear Exam procedure

While lying on an exam table your doctor places an instrument called a speculum into your vagina, and opens the instrument just enough to see the cervix. Next, the doctor will use small brush to pick up a few cells from inside the cervix. As mentioned above, the cells will be sent to a lab and examined under a microscope for any abnormalities. For most patients, the procedure is painless but some women may find it to be a little uncomfortable. After 1 to 3 weeks, you may receive your results. If your doctor has found anything wrong with the results, he or she may schedule another appointment for further testing.

Along with a Pap test, your doctor can also perform a pelvic exam in which they will check for redness, sores, discharge, and swelling.

Women could prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing through treatment, be sure to schedule routine Pap smears with your doctor.

How Often Should I Have a Pap Smear?

Usually women have a Pap smear every year. However, the frequency may change depending on your age and medical history. It is important to speak with your doctor to find what is best for you.

What to Expect from an Abnormal Pap Test Result

There are several reasons as to why your results came out abnormal. It does not always mean that you have cervical cancer. Usually, it means there is a problem with the cervix. Though, some abnormal cell can turn into cancer, most of the time these cells can be treated and cervical cancer can be prevented. If the doctor is positive that you have abnormal cells of the cervix, he or she will do further testing to find the best treatment for you. Further testing for abnormal cells can include, a colposcopy, endocervical curettage, or a biopsy.

If you receive an abnormal Pap test, talk to your doctor to learn what this can mean for you and find out what steps you must take.

What Does a False Positive or False Negative Mean?

Pap smear test could give false results. If you are given false positive results on a Pap test, it means you were told you have abnormal cervical cells but your cells are actually normal. If you are given false negative results for a Pap test, this means you have been told that you have normal cervical cells but there is actually a problem with your cervical cells that were previously missed. If this happens, the doctor will more than likely find the abnormal cells during your next Pap smear.

Drugs that may affect a Pap smear:

• Colchicine
• Compounds in cigarettes
• Estrogen
• Podophyllin
• Progestins
• Silver nitrate

Health Care Professionals

OBGYN Pavilion is one of Miami’s most trusted women’s health and wellness center, known for their caring and experienced doctors and staff. We provide our patients with a professional and comfortable environment. We encourage our patients to schedule routine Pap smear test for the following reasons. We care about our patients and want to be sure we are doing the most for our patient’s health. Routine Pap smears can save you from cervical cancer and can catch any abnormal cervical cells that may have been missed before. Call our office at (786) 615-6123 to schedule an appointment.