Pap Smear

Pap Smear services offered in Chinatown and Lower Manhattan, New York, Brooklyn and Flushing, NY

Pap smears help your OB/GYN find changes that could lead to cervical cancer. Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology’s highly skilled team performs Pap smears at their offices in Lower Manhattan, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens. With fast, accurate results and exceptional follow-up care, you can be sure of catching cancer before it does irreversible damage. Call your nearest Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology office or schedule a consultation via the online booking form today.

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a simple, quick screening that checks for abnormal cells in the cervix (the lower part of your uterus, where it meets the vagina).

Pap smears can detect early changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. Most often, these changes are due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, so Pap smears often test for HPV as well.

Finding cell changes early gives your OB/GYN the chance to treat them and help prevent cancer from developing.

Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology usually recommends starting Pap smears at age 21. After that, how often you need one depends on your age, health history, and the results of past tests, but for most healthy women, it’s likely to be three years. Your OB/GYN helps you decide what schedule is best for you.

What happens during a Pap smear?

During the test, you lie on an exam table with your feet in footrests. Your provider smoothly inserts a tool called a speculum into your vagina to see the cervix. Then, they use a soft brush or swab to collect a few cells from the cervix.

A Pap smear may feel a little uncomfortable, like pressure or a mild pinch, but it shouldn’t hurt. Most people find it manageable, and it only takes a few minutes, so it’s over quickly.

Steer clear of scheduling your Pap smear during your period. For two days before the test, avoid sex, douching, and using vaginal creams or medicines, as these can affect the results.

When do I get my Pap smear results?

Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology patients usually hear back within one to three weeks. If your results are normal, just follow your OB/GYN’s recommendations on when to schedule your next routine smear.

An abnormal result means some cells look different than usual. If your test is abnormal, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean you have cancer, just that your provider needs to repeat the test or perform additional exams.

An example of a follow-up exam is colposcopy. This involves your OB/GYN inserting a colposcope instrument into your vagina to view the cervix clearly. They may take samples of any unusual tissue for lab analysis.

Call Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology for advice on cervical cancer screening, or book your Pap smear online today.