Medical Tests And Exams No One Should Miss

Pelvic Exam And Pap Smear

While no woman may like the idea of a pelvic exam and Pap smear, they are both necessary examinations for women to ensure their body is at its healthiest. It can be difficult to know if tumors or cancerous growths have developed in these parts of the body without the exam. A Pap smear typically involves a test for the cervical cells of the woman's body. A doctor uses a small brush and spatula to scrape off a few cervical cells. Those cells are then examined under a microscope to look for any abnormalities. The Pap smear is one of the most effective methods of screening for cervical cancer. Women should typically start having Pap smears when they reach twenty-one years old and then continue to have one every three years, provided the result come back normal (if they return abnormal results, doctors will work with patients on the appropriate course of action from there). For a pelvic exam, a doctor will look at the woman's external pelvic area, including the vagina, hips, and organs. They will also check the woman's pelvic muscle strength. A pelvic exam typically needs to be done less than a Pap smear.

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