Admit it, you’ve still not booked that pap smear that you got told to book 6 months ago. I get it, life gets busy and these things slip away from us.
But, there is nothing more important than your health and as a woman, your vaginal health.
We are so incredibly fortunate to live in a country where we can get this done, for free every 3 years. So, we must take advantage of these regular check ups.
With this in mind, today we are going to be looking at the three most important reasons to go and get your pap smear done and what you can expect from a smear test.
Do I Need A Smear Test?
The short answer to this question is yes, If you are a woman aged 25-64 you need to be getting your pap smear done regularly.
Even if you are showing no symptoms of any vaginal health problems, it is instrumental that you get a pap smear done when you need to. This way, any hidden issues can be picked up and dealt with in good time.
Why Should I Get A Smear Test?
You should get a smear test for your health, simple as that. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a country that does this for free, why wouldn’t you get it done?
Here are my top reasons to get a smear test done.
1. A Smear Can Help Detect HPV
Yes, amazingly, your pap smear can pick up on HPV in your cervix. During the examination, small cells will be taken from the cervix. This will be then sent for analysis, in which any abnormalities will be detected that indicate the presence of HPV.
HPV stands for the Human Papilloma Virus, and is one of the major risk factors for developing cervical cancer.
HPV can be simply transmitted by sexual contact and therefore, sexually active women should certainly be getting their pap smear.
2. It Can Help Detect Issues Early On, Thus Helping Resolve Them
Like with most medical conditions if it is caught earlier there is a better chance of recovery. The same can be said about vaginal health issues that are spotted at a pap smear.
Detecting pre-cancerous lesions are critical in the prevention of deaths due to cervical cancer, and these are almost always spotted at a pap smear.
With the number of deaths due to cervical cancer on the rise, don’t delay your smear test any longer.
3. There Is No Safe Age
The risks of developing cervical cancer aren’t limited to any age. So whether you are 25 at the peak of your health, or 64, a smear test is essential.
There truly is no safe age, and all women of all ages should be getting their cervical smear test done.
What Should I Expect At A Pap Smear?
A pap smear can seem like a daunting, invasive procedure, but the doctors are professional. They wear the correct safety equipment to ensure proper hygiene such as latex disposable gloves. These doctors have seen it all and are trained at putting people at ease in this slightly uncomfortable situation.
Here is a simple breakdown of what will happen at a pap smear:
- You will be asked to undress from the waist down, behind a screen.
- You will have a sheet put over you to help cover you up as much as possible
- Then, the doctor will ask you to like back on the bed, with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart
- A tube-like tool, known as a speculum, will be inserted into the vagina
- The doctor will then open the speculum to view your cervix
- Using a soft brush, they will then take a small sample of cells from your cervix
- Then the speculum will be closed and removed, and you will be left to get dressed.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Your vaginal health is just as important as any other medical care, so go and get your pap smear today. By being proactive, you might just save your own life.
