Pap smear?

Question:

My mom told be that after you get your period you get a pap smear when you go to your physical, but I though you got it after your were 40. So how old are you when you get your pap smear? What is it? My mom said it was when the doctor puts he/she put their hand up your butt...but why would do that? Wouldn’t there be other ways for checking whatever there checking? And wouldn’t they do that at you gynotist (sp?) examine, which you do when you are either 18 or sexually active (which I am not). Thanks in advance.

Answers:
Pap smears are administered annually in the following cases:

Upon turning 18;
Upon beginning sexual activity, regardless of age;
Upon prescribing hormonal birth control, regardless of age;
Upon having severe gynecological problems to help assess treatment options, regardless of age.

Pap smear and pelvic exam are essential in assessing vaginal well-being. The pap test examines cell changes to check for possible pre-cancerous problems.

A regular doctor can perform a pelvic exam; a gynecologist is usually seen when there are female reproductive issues that need special attention.

You can read more here about pelvic exams and pap smears:
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/women/symp...
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/women/symp...
http://health.yahoo.com/topic/women/symp...

it's mainly to check for adnormal cells on your cervix. done when a girl is sexually active or around 18, done yearly. fingers go into the vagina, on occasion you'll get a rectal exam as part of the gyne exam.

A pap smear is done wayyy before you reach the age of 40. LOL It is a procedure for the OB/GYN to check and make sure everything is going okay with you down there. You don't have to be sexually active to get one, however, it might be a lil uncomfortable. The doc will swab your vagina to make sure you're okay and also check out your cervix, etc.

Ive had my fisrt pap smear when I was about 18 after I started becoming sexually active. A pap smear is a way the GYN can check to see if you have any infections, or cancer in the cervic and ovaries. You can look it up on the net and talk to the doctor if you have any questions.. Ur mother needs to be more "real" with her answers and tell u what it is. Good luck

Well you have a lot of questions here. Pap tests should be started as soon as a girl becomes sexually active, not 40. They are looking for the papilloma virus which causes cervical cancer. There is now a vaccine for that, so I suggest you get that. As far as the exam itself is concerned you will lay on a table, naked except for a gown and sheet, with your legs open and feet in stirrups. The doctor will put a finger into your vagina and while doing that will press on your belly to determine uterine and ovary size, location, and condition. Then he will put the speculum into your vagina (a tool that will open the vagina so that he can see inside) and will put a small brush into the opening of your cervix to remove a small sample for microscopic examination. Then the exam is over. This exam is embarrassing for all women, but it is not painful. There is no other way to do this exam, sorry.

You should not need a pap until you are either 18 or sexually active or on bc pills. It has nothing to do with your butt. They take a swab of your vagina. Nothing major.

Pap smear?

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