What is PAP? PAP-test: decoding and features of the procedure

Women's health is very important, because it depends not only on the status of the woman herself, but also on her ability to have children in the future. To exclude serious diseases or detect them at an early stage, the papanikolaou test is universally applied in gynecological practice.

What it is

The PAP test is a smear taken by a gynecologist from the epithelium of the cervix and vaginal vaults. This procedure is painless, carried out directly on the examination chair and ends quickly, but it is able to detect cytological problems at the earliest stages. The smear is taken from the vagina with a special spatula, after which the biomaterial is applied to the glass and sent to the laboratory for examination. Experts study the material taken under the microscope in various ways, but basically this is the method of staining Pappanikolaou.

It is the ease of implementation and effectiveness that made this analysis mandatory for all women. This test is able to detect the smallest changes in the epithelium, thereby determining their tumor or pre-tumor state. Also, the PAP test helps to determine the presence of pathological microorganisms in the vagina and to assess the mucosal status by many criteria.

Recommendations for the passage

So, what is a PAP test found out, but what if it is recommended by a gynecologist? Many are frightened by this need, giving rise to thoughts about the presence of the disease. In fact, the use of this test in gynecology is generally accepted practice. A smear is taken from all women and is necessary for timely diagnosis of various abnormalities in the body, including the prevention of malignant tumors.

Recommendations for unscheduled analysis are often given to carriers of human papillomavirus. The fact that this infection increases the probability of cytology at times, and therefore, and check its availability is much more often.

Benefits of Analysis

All of them have already been listed above, but we should generalize the information received. So what is a PAP analysis?

It:

• Speed;
• Painless;
• Accuracy of diagnosis;
• availability.

It is also important to know that its results may depend on external factors, so sometimes you need to take a smear again or confirm the diagnosis by other methods.

Serious problems are much easier to overcome at the initial stages of their development, so timely cytological analysis can sometimes save a life.

Planned passage

Not taking into account the recommendations of doctors in some cases, a Pap smear is recommended to be given to all women, starting from the moment of entering the sexual life. Some doctors insist that the study should be done twice in the first two years of sexual activity in order to completely eliminate the possible manifestation of the disease. Others believe that the first test should be performed no later than three years after the onset of sexual activity. In any case, they all agree that the first analysis should be submitted no later than twenty-one years. Further studies without special recommendations should be held every three years until reaching the age of fifty. At this age, the probability of cytology is reduced and the test can be done every five years. After three tests, women do not necessarily have to remember what a PAP is. But do not stop to monitor your health and go to a regular appointment with a doctor.

Separate recommendations

In the case of the following indicators, tests for the presence of cytology are necessary annually:

• HIV infection in the body;
• Presence of papilloma virus;
• Chemotherapy in the past;
• Organ transplants.

The fact is that these violations of the body increase the risk of neoplasm. It is important to know that not only HIV but other viruses, such as papillomas, are transmitted through the sexual way, therefore, special attention should be given to contraception. The PAP test in gynecology helps to detect neoplasms of the body in a timely manner and is an effective preventive method of combating cancers of female genital organs. It is important not to rely solely on the results of the analysis, but also to take into account your own well-being, because the test is not always capable of showing a real picture, and additional research is needed to confirm the analysis.

Preparation for the test

To ensure that the results of the analysis are as accurate as possible, do not take the biomaterial during the menstrual cycle or the acute inflammatory process of the genital organs.

The best time to take a sample is the period 5 days before the start of menstruation and 5 days after the end.

The accuracy of the results is also affected by:

• Sexual intimacy;
• Syringing;
• Vaginal suppositories;
• Local contraceptives.

To ensure that the smear is as true as possible, you should discard the above mentioned a few days before the test.

Possible consequences

As a rule, in healthy women the procedure does not cause discomfort.

But there are cases when after taking biomaterial:

• Discharge spotting;
• The body temperature rises;
• There are pains in the lower abdomen;
• Discharge with an unpleasant odor.

In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Getting Results

What is PAP analysis, where and how it is dealt with in detail, but how to determine its results? As a rule, the data is deciphered by the doctor, assessing the changes in cells in five stages of cytology development. The first stage indicates that the body is completely healthy and does not need treatment. The second stage indicates inflammatory processes that affect the change in the structure of the epithelium. This situation rarely implies cytology, but a specialist can advise an additional study. A further degree implies more significant deviations and implies a mandatory re-examination plus an analysis of the histology. The fourth degree of the disease development implies serious deviations.

In this case, the analysis reveals the presence of malignant formations, and the doctor necessarily prescribes additional tests and tests. It is interesting that in the end the diagnosis can not be confirmed, so do not panic immediately. The last fifth stage already indicates the presence of cancer cells in large quantities, which revealed a PAP test. The interpretation of the results is available to the patient before the doctor's detailed explanation.

In all circumstances, you should know that the study shows an accurate result in only 70% of cases, while others require additional confirmation. Therefore, do not immediately get frustrated. Always follow your health and everything will be fine.