Routine pelvic examinations include both an internal and an external exam. Part of the internal exam consists of a pap smear. The pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. The smears do not actually detect disease, but identify inflammation and infection in the cervical area that may be evidence of abnormalities in the cervical cells. Younger women may be more vulnerable to infection since the surface of their cervixes contain relatively immature, less resistant cells, emphasizing the importance of annual gynecological exams for young women.
Some women feel a slight cramping when their cervix is touched.
The collected cells are mounted on a slide and sent to a lab, where it will be examined by a technician. The pap smear does not test for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal infections or other types of gynecological problems. Most women get routine pelvic exams including pap smears annually. For an appointment at Columbia at Women's Health, call 4-2284. For more information on annual exams, see Alice's previous answer to Gynecologist for the first time .