What is Pap Smear Test?

Pap smear test results help to differentiate between normal and abnormal cervical cells.

Abnormal changes do not always suggest cervical cancer only, they may be due to mild inflammation or HPV infection. A HPV test, a colposcopy (a procedure involving a more detailed testing of the cervix, vagina and vulva) or a biopsy may be done to look more closely for precancerous cells.

• Screening: This is usually done to screen for cervical cancer in patients without symptoms for early identification, especially if there is a history of HIV or previous abnormal pap smears.
• Diagnosis: Determining the underlying cause of vaginal symptoms, including abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
• Monitoring: As a follow-up test for monitoring cervical cell abnormalities or other findings detected on initial pap smears.

The test is done as part of a regular well-woman exam in a doctor's clinic and hardly takes 10-20 minutes. During the test, a speculum is inserted through the vagina into the cervix, and a swab is taken for a cell sample, which is sent to the lab for review.

A positive pap smear report suggests the presence of abnormal or unusual cells in the cervix, and a follow-up pap test/HPV test/colposcopy could be needed. Abnormal cells in a colposcopy indicate cryotherapy or LEEP treatment. A positive pap smear also indicates atypical symptoms such as  squamous intraepithelial lesion or atypical glandular cells, which may signal precancer or cancer.

From two days before the pap smear test, you should avoid using vaginal creams, jellies and medications and also refrain from having vaginal intercourse as these might wash away some abnormal or obscure cells, which may then skew the results. You should try to schedule a pap smear 10-14 days after the onset of menses. 

Charges for a pap smear test could be anywhere in the range of Rs. 200-1,500. It depends on other expenses such as the cost of the technician, equipment and so on. Typically, pap smear tests are covered by insurance plans.

A pap smear is done to look for changes in the cervical cells before they turn carcinogenic. Most women belonging to the ages of 21-65 should have regular pap smear tests. Women between the ages of 21-29 should test every three years, and those between 30-65 years must test at least once in 5 years if they have contracted HPV.

The choice of dress is purely personal.

A pap smear test is painless, but may feel a little uncomfortable at first since it is a completely new sensation. 

Generally, this test has no major side effects, but people often complain that it feels like a minute pinch. Some people could experience more intense cramping or mild bleeding similar to menstrual pain. These cramps usually last for about 1-2 days post the test procedure. Rarely, heavy bleeding could be a sign of a scratch on the delicate cervical lining during the test procedure. During pregnancy, the cervix develops additional blood vessels and thus a pap smear test conducted during pregnancy may cause more bleeding lasting for 2-3 days at most. 

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