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The preventive exam, also known as Pap smear, is a gynecological exam indicated for sexually active women and its purpose is to evaluate the cervix, checking for signs that indicate infection by HPV, which is the virus responsible for cervical cancer. uterus, or by other microorganisms that can be sexually transmitted.
The preventive is a simple, quick and painless exam and the recommendation is that it be performed annually, or according to the gynecologist's guidance, for women up to 65 years of age.
What is it for
The preventive exam is indicated to investigate changes in the uterus that can cause complications for the woman, being performed mainly for:
- Check for signs of vaginal infections, such as trichomoniasis, candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis, mainly by Gardnerella sp .;
- Investigate signs of sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis, for example;
- Check for signs of changes in the cervix related to infection with human papillomavirus, HPV;
- Evaluate changes suggestive of cervical cancer.
In addition, the preventive can be performed in order to assess the presence of Naboth cysts, which are small nodules that can be formed due to the accumulation of fluid released by the glands present in the cervix.
How is done
The preventive exam is a quick, simple exam, which is done at the gynecologist's office and does not hurt, however the woman may feel a slight discomfort or pressure sensation in the uterus during the exam, however this sensation passes as soon as the gynecologist removes the medical device and the spatula or brush used in the examination.
To take the exam it is important that the woman is not in her menstrual period and has not used vaginal creams, medications or contraceptives at least 2 days before the exam, in addition to not having sexual intercourse or having had vaginal douches, as these factors may interfere with the exam result.
In the gynecologist's office, the person is placed in a gynecological position and a medical device is introduced into the vaginal canal, which is used to view the cervix. Soon after, the doctor uses a spatula or a brush to collect a small sample of cells from the cervix, which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
After collection, the woman can return to normal activities normally and the result is released about 7 days after the exam. In the report of the examination, in addition to what was informed what was viewed, in some cases it is also possible that there is an indication from the doctor as to when a new examination should be performed. Learn how to understand the results of the preventive exam.
When to take the preventive exam
The preventive exam is indicated for women who have already started sexual life and it is recommended that it be performed until the age of 65, in addition to being recommended that it be done annually. However, if there are negative results for 2 years in a row, the gynecologist can indicate that the preventive should be performed every 3 years. However, in cases where changes in the cervix are seen, mainly related to HPV infection, it is recommended that the test be performed every six months so that the evolution of the change can be monitored.
In the case of women aged 64 and over, it is recommended that the exam be performed with an interval of 1 to 3 years between exams depending on what is observed during the exam. In addition, pregnant women can also perform the preventive, since there is no risk to the baby or compromise of the pregnancy, and it is important since if changes are identified, the most appropriate treatment can be started to avoid complications for the baby. .
Despite the recommendation to perform the preventive exam for women who have already started their sexual life, the exam can also be performed by women who have never had sexual intercourse with penetration, using special material during the exam.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH. Cytopathology Technician. 2012. Available at:. Accessed on 11 Mar 2020
- SMITH, Elizabeth R. et al. New Biological Research and Understanding of Papanicolaou’s Test. Diagn Cytopathol. Vol 46. 6th ed; 507-515, 2018
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH. Pap smear (preventive examination of the cervix). Available in: . Accessed on 11 Mar 2020