Annual Exam & Pap Smear
When should I schedule an appointment?
We recommend that a woman come in for her first pap smear and annual exam between the ages of 18 or 21, or when she becomes sexually active. After that, general exams are recommended yearly. Please contact our office and we can help you set up an appointment.
What is a pap smear, anyway?
A pap smear is a simple screening test to make sure the cells of the cervix - a region at the opening of a woman's uterus - are normal. The doctor or nurse will take a sample of the cells and check for any abnormalities. A pap smear allows doctors to detect beginning stages of cervical cancer, while it is early enough to be treated and cured. At this time, tests for HPV will also be run.
Will my hymen be broken during an exam?
Usually a hymen is not broken during a gynecologic exam, as the exams are typically very gentle. Many times a young woman has already broken her hymen unknowingly if she has had a fall or done any horseback riding, etc. It is not necessary for the hymen to be intact to protect one from vaginal infections, nor does it signify virginity.