Pap smears are beneficial for women to detect cells that could end up causing cervical cancer. Most women dread having these tests because they involve the most private body part, the cervical region. To get the needed results from a pap smear test, samples extracted from the cervix are required. It means that gynecologists must draw them from the cervix through the vagina. You can see how uncomfortable that is for some women. Knowing several factors about urgent care pap smear tests is advisable when you are about to get it.
What is an Urgent Care Pap Smear Test?
Pap smear tests are necessary if you are concerned about your gynecological health. If the tests detect abnormal cells, doctors may offer treatments to prevent the further spread of cancer, depending on the stage it has reached. Cervical cancer is a deadly disease that has taken the lives of our women. Going for pap smear tests minimizes cervical cancer mortality rate. Besides cervical cancer, a pap smear test is also used to detect infections that affect the gynecological region. Before having pap smear tests, here are five things to need to know:
When should you start going for urgent care pap smear tests?
Before looking for a doctor to perform the Pap Smear test, you should know when to start having these tests. Most gynecologists recommend beginning pap smear tests when you are 21 years old or older. You may also get these tests when you start being sexually active. Abnormal cells often develop through sexual activities that involve penetration.
If you used to be sexually active and stopped, you should continue going for pap smear tests to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. Many healthcare facilities provide pap smear tests. However, Wilmington urgent care pap smear clinic offers reliable results. A positive Pap Smear test does not mean that you have cervical cancer. It only means that you have abnormal cervical cells that may indicate a mild cervical infection, precancerous, or cancerous cells.
Which doctor performs urgent care pap smear tests?
Once you reach this age, you need to look for a medical doctor who can perform the Pap Smear test. Doctors who do pap smear tests are specialists called gynecologists or ob-gyms. A gynecologist may either be a male or female doctor. You can choose either of them depending on whom you feel comfortable around. Gynecologists have undergone special medical training that puts them in a better position to examine and treat gynecological issues. If you are not comfortable going alone to a gynecologist to get an urgent pap smear test, you should ask your female friend or family member to take you.
Pap Smear tests may be fused with other gynecological examinations
Once you start going for pap smear tests, you should continue until you get old and are no longer sexually active. A pap smear test may be done alone or combined with other examinations. If you are 21 years old and start going for pap smear tests, you may need to go for these tests after 2.5 or 3 years. At this time, you may have these tests together with a pelvic exam.
Once you reach 30 years old, you may start fusing the Pap Smear test with an HPV test. HPV – human papillomavirus is also another virus that can cause cervical cancer. The HPV virus is also sexually transmitted. Once you start combining these cancer screening tests, you can continue having these tests after five years.
When should you stop going for pap smear tests?
You may discontinue Pap Smear tests when you are 65, and all the previous trials have not detected any signs of abnormal cervical cells. Most women who have reached 65 no longer have the urge for sex. You also stop having pap smear tests if your uterus is removed, regardless of how old you are.
How to prepare for a pap smear test test
Another thing to know about the Pap Smear test is how to prepare for it. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to get a pap smear test. Once you have found your ob-gyn, you need to schedule an appointment. Your doctor will tell you what to do or not do before an urgent care pap smear test. One of them is that you should not be on your monthly periods during the exam. You should also avoid sex a day after the procedure. Avoiding these things will produce accurate results.
Conclusion
As a woman, getting Pap smear tests helps you to stay on top of your gynecological health. Before this test, you need to know that a gynecologist does it. At Wilmington, urgent care pap smear test is also not painful. You will only feel some discomfort from the pressure of the equipment used in the procedure. You need to stop going for pap smear tests if you are 65 years old and all your previous pap smear tests have turned out negative.
