Pap smears & gynecological exams

Aurora Health Care gynecologists offer the preventive services you need to stay healthy – now and for the rest of your life. When your needs go beyond screening and prevention, you can count on us for comprehensive care, including:

• Birth control: Our family planning support may include contraception, including birth control pills, birth control implants and permanent birth control including office-based procedures, surgical procedures and tubal ligation.
• Gynecologic cancer care: Our experts treat all types of cancer that affect the female reproductive system, including uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and vaginal and vulvar cancers.
• Pregnancy care: Comprehensive gynecological care is the most important step to preserving your fertility and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. For high-risk pregnancies, Aurora Health Care has the largest group of maternal-fetal medicine doctors in Wisconsin.
• Incontinence treatment: We provide urinary incontinence treatment for urge incontinence, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence and functional incontinence.

Are you at risk for breast cancer?

Knowing your chances of developing breast cancer can help you plan a routine screening schedule – a critical first step in a battle against the disease. Our breast health quiz estimates your five-year and lifetime risks and gives you an idea what to do next based on your results.

Take the breast health quiz

What do gynecological exams do?

Gynecological exams screen and diagnose conditions like cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They support good menstrual and reproductive health and promote awareness about good health practices.

Getting a routine gynecological exam is one of the best ways to protect your health. During the exam, your doctor may provide vaccinations, perform a gynecological cancer screening, as well as provide education about staying healthy. They’ll also answer any questions you may have about gynecological issues, reproduction, fertility questions, menstruation and menopause.

What happens during a gynecological exam?

During a gynecological exam, your doctor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical examination. Routine gynecological exams may include testing for STIs and other tests such as:

• Pap smear: This test detects abnormalities that can lead to cervical cancer.
• Breast exams: Your health professional performs a physical examination of your breasts to check for lumps.
• Pelvic exam: Examine the vagina and cervix to ensure organs are healthy.

An annual examination and screening usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. A little time goes a long way toward preventing future fertility issues or cancer.

Pap smear screening

Pap smears, also called Pap tests, are cervical screenings used to identify abnormal cells in your cervix, the narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina. A Pap smear can also help detect infections, such as an HPV infection, plus abnormalities and precancerous cells, which all are potential causes of cervical cancer.

During a Pap smear, your doctor will insert a small plastic spatula or brush into your vagina to collect cervical cells for testing. You may experience mild discomfort when the doctor collects cells during this cervical cancer screening test. Your sample is then checked in a lab for HPV infection and abnormal cells. Ask your provider if you have any questions about your cervical screening test results.

Cervical cancer screening recommendations

While you should have a gynecological examination every year, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other national organizations put together screening guidelines to help identify and diagnose abnormal cell growth or HPV infection as soon as possible:

• Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap smear every three years.
• Women from 30 to 64 should get a Pap smear and an HPV test every five years.
• If you’re 65 or older, you should ask your doctor if you need to continue Pap smear screenings.

Some women may need to get Pap smears more frequently. If you have had abnormal Pap smears in the past or have HPV or precancerous cells, talk to your doctor about getting tested more frequently.

Specialty care for women’s health

Your gynecologist may recommend additional testing after your gynecological exam or if you have an abnormal Pap smear. These tests could include:

• Mammography depending on age and family history to look for breast cancer
• Cervical biopsy if your Pap test is abnormal to collect tissue from the surface of the cervix to look for abnormal cells, which may cause cervical cancer
• Pelvic ultrasound to look for uterine cancer or ovarian cancer

When you need it, you can find specialized women’s care offerings, such as mammograms or endocrinology services, at:

• Aurora Sinai Women’s Health
• Aurora Women’s Pavilion
• Women’s Center Aurora BayCare