Contents:
- Medical Video: If Going To The Gynecologist Were Honest
- What is a pap smear?
- Do you need to do a pap smear for unmarried women?
- How regularly do women have to do a pap smear?
Medical Video: If Going To The Gynecologist Were Honest
Cervical cancer is the number one killer for women. The risk of death caused by this disease requires you to recognize the symptoms or signs of cervical cancer as well as take precautions through pap smears. For those of you who still wonder, is it a pap smear and it is important to do a pap smear for unmarried women, see the following review.
What is a pap smear?
The cervix (cervix) is an important part of the female reproductive system, namely the connecting area between the vagina and the uterus. Cancer cells can grow anywhere on the body including the cervix. To prevent this, pap smears are also needed, also known as pap tests. This test is very accurate, nearly 80 percent indicate the possibility of abnormal cells and tissues in the vagina.
In this test, the doctor inserts a device called a speculum into the vagina. This tool makes your vagina open to give way to the cervix. Then, the doctor will take a small sample of cells from the cervix using a spatula. Cell samples that have been obtained will be tested in the laboratory to see whether or not there are developments in abnormal cells that trigger cancer or not.
Most women feel pain and cramps in the vagina when the test takes place due to friction. There may also be minor bleeding from the vagina after the test is done. Take it easy, this test doesn't take long. If cramping or vaginal pain and bleeding occur one day after the test is done, you need to do an examination back to the doctor.
Do you need to do a pap smear for unmarried women?
All women need to do a pap smear, especially in women who are infected with HIV or have a weak immune system due to chemotherapy or organ transplants. Women with this condition must routinely take pap tests. However, there are also other requirements that must be met.
Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, most health organizations in the world recommend that women can start pap tests when they are old 21 years.
However, women who have not reached 21 years of age and who have been sexually active are allowed to do pap smears. Why? In most cases, cervical cancer is caused by a virusHuman papillomavirus (HPV) which is transmitted through sexual intercourse. So, even though he has not fulfilled his age if he has sex actively, pap tests need to be done to prevent cervical cancer.
While the pap smear for women who are not married and have never had sex is not required. This is because the risk of cervical cancer is very small. Unless you have a smoking habit and there is a family history of this disease, consideration of taking a test can be discussed first with the doctor. This can help you from worries about getting sick.
How regularly do women have to do a pap smear?
Reporting from Healthline, pap tests must be carried out regularly with the following conditions:
- Women less than 21 years old and actively having sex should take pap tests every 3 years.
- Women aged 21-29 years, sexually active are recommended to do pap tests every three years.
- Women 30-65 years are recommended to do pap tests 3 or 5 years if the results of a pap test or previous HIV test are negative.
- Women aged 65 years and over do not need pap tests anymore, consult further with the doctor about the needs related to other conditions.
