Pap test during Pregnancy- Is It Scary?

Is it true that Pap smear can detectpregnancy? Actually, pregnancy brings several indications and the most common is missing your periods. But, once you are pregnant, you should go for Pap test at your first prenatal visit. Pregnancy is one of the most joyous moments of one’s life, but there can be a blot if the result of Pap smear test comes positive. What is Pap smear test? Basically, this is the test that determines the cervical health and detects any abnormality in your cervical cells.

Usually, women should take Pap test once they are 21 or within three years of being sexually active. Pap test is not for diagnosis, but it is done to detect any abnormal cell growths or dysplasia in the cervix. Early concern can find out if there is anything wrong and you can take steps as early as possible.

Abnormal Pap Smear- How Scary It Is?

If there is any abnormality found in Pap smear test during pregnancy, pregnant ladies get scared. That is absolutely normal. But, you should not get panicked over the result. If you find an abnormality in the result, that means there are certain abnormalities in the cervical cells. Instead of getting scared, you should remember that always abnormalities don’t point towards cervical cancer. There are lots of tests should be done afterward to find out if there are any serious problems.

Reasons of Abnormality in Pap smear Test

You should not get panicked as abnormal Pap pregnant doesn’t refer to cancer. There can be several other reasons which cause unusual Pap result. Such reasons are-

·         Infection and inflammation

·         Recent sexual activity

·         Herpes

·         Genital warts or HPV. This is also not a reason to get worried as up to 60% women carry this without knowing it at all.

·         Trichomoniasis

·         Dysplasia

Treatment for Abnormal Pap Test

Once you get abnormality in the test, you should proceed towards proper treatment procedure. You need to go through afurther evaluation, like colposcopy and another Pap smear. These tests are important to find out the stage of abnormality at your cervix. Once you go through further tests, it will show whether you have any other types of infections or inflammation, trichomoniasis or yeast infection. If your result shows abnormality, these are the treatment procedures you should go through-

·         Colposcopy is done to find out further unusualness in your cervix. Here, a speculum is inserted into your vagina and the cervix is painted in vinegar solution so that the abnormal areas can be pointed out clearly. Then, a biopsy is done to find out the reason.

·         The next step is Cryosurgery. Here, the abnormal cells are freeze to treat them. You may face bleeding and water discharge which is quite common after this treatment.

So, you should be patient and go through this treatment procedure once your Pap result is positive. Don’t be afraid if the result comes during your pregnancy. According to experts, cervical cancer won’t hamper pregnancy. The treatment procedure will start once after your delivery. If treated at anearly stage, you can be cured completely.