QuestionQUESTION: Hello:
1. What is the purpose of a Pap smear? Is it only used to detect cancerous cervical cells?
2. And also, what is the fluid called that is removed from the opening of the cervix for this test?
I thank you for your reply.
ANSWER: Hello,
Yes the purpose of the pap smear is to screen for pre-cancerous or cancer cells. It is a screening for cervical cancer.
No fluid is removed. It scrapes cells off the surface of the cervix for microscopic examination.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello:
I want to thank you for the reply and answers.
I watched a pelvic exam video, and the doctor removed this clear liquid substance from the cervix for the Pap test. I was just curious to know what it is. In the video, the fluid was quite obvious.
Here is the URL: http://nursing411.org/Videos/Pelvic%20Exam/Pelvic%20Exam.html
I thank you for your follow-up reply.
ANSWER: It was cervical mucous, but I am not sure why he would aspirate it. There are tests that are done on cervical mucous, but not in conjunction with the pap smear.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
Check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com and twitter with me @montereybayivf.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello:
In the video, it appears that the entire cervix and uterus has this mucous on it. How would cells be removed for a Pap smear test with the cervix and/or uterus covered with this substance?
I thank you for follow-up reply.
AnswerHello Again,
I already answered this question, but to be clear, the cervical mucous in this video is within the cervical os. It is the normal mucous seen at the time of examination and in the cervix. It is NOT examined for a pap smear. This video shows an older wooden instrument to take the pap smear. Now-a-days we use a brush. You can see that it is taking a "scraping" of the external cervix, and this is where the cervical cells come from to examine. The mucous has no significance in terms of pap smears.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
For additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com and join me on twitter at @monteeybayivf.com
