Pelvic Exams and Pap Test

by Claudia Campos
311healthbeat.blogspot.com

For sexually active women, 18 years and older, who are at risk for cervical cancer, due to Human Papilloma Virus or HIV sexual transmitted infections, cigarette smoking, and sexually active with multiple partners it is recommended that an annual screening Pap Smear Test and Pelvic examination be conducted by her health care provider, said the Center for Disease and Prevention Control and Contemporary Women's Health, http://www.mhhe.com/, section on sexual transmitted infections and exams recommended for women.

A Pelvic exam is a visual screening of the reproductive organs to check and see that they are normal and healthy in shape and location.

The exam checks for cervical cancer. Checks the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus. The health care provider checks the vigina area for sings of herpes, tumors or genital warts. A speculum is inserted into the vagina to view and check internal organs.

Women need to relax and not be embarrassed about the exam.

The third part of the exam the health care provider places two gloved fingers with lubricating jelly into the vagina to feel for abnormalities in the ovaries and uterus. Then a rectal exam is done where she checks for tumors, tenderness to the area and location of the organs.

Pap Test

In a pap test the health care provider takes a sample of cells form the cervical area called the squamous epithelium and a cell sample from the cervix and the endocervical canal and take the sample to a lab.

Spotting blood after the exam is normal. Human Papilloma Virus can be detected and is one purpose of test and prevents cell carcinoma from occurring. Cervic cancer develops slowly and can be curable if detected early.