Pap Smear Specialist

Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin

Mary Grace Bridges, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist & Breast Surgery located in Odessa, TX

Cervical cancer death rates significantly dropped after the Pap smear became a routine part of a woman’s wellness exam. Though you may no longer need a Pap smear every year, regular Pap smears may save your life. Mary Grace Bridges, MD, at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin in Odessa and Midland, Texas, is a board-certified OB/GYN who focuses on preventing health issues and promoting women’s health. She performs Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. To schedule your Pap smear, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

432-332-0090

Pap Smear Q & A

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a health screening test for cervical cancer. For the test, Dr. Bridges collects cervical cells from your cervix during a pelvic exam. She sends the sample of cells to a lab that evaluates the cells and looks for abnormalities.

Any cervical cell abnormalities may be signs of cervical cancer. Finding and treating cervical cancer during the early stages increases your chances of a full recovery.

When do I need a Pap smear?

Dr. Bridges recommends you start routine Pap smears at age 21. In general, you should continue your Pap smear screening exam every three years until you reach age 65.

However, for women 30 and older, Dr. Bridges may recommend combining your Pap smear with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. Certain strains of HPV increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.

If you have a negative Pap smear and HPV test, Dr. Bridges may only need to repeat your Pap smear every five years instead of every three years.

However, she may also recommend more frequent Pap smears if you have a history of an abnormal Pap smear, test positive for HPV, or have a personal or family history of cervical cancer.

What happens during a Pap smear?

Dr. Bridges performs your Pap smear during a pelvic exam at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin. To gain access to your cervix, she inserts a speculum into your vagina to separate the walls. She then places a cotton swab through the speculum and gently collects cells from your cervix.

You may feel some pressure during the Pap smear, but the test is quick and painless. Dr. Bridges places the swab in a container and sends it to the lab.

You may have some spotting after a Pap smear, but there’s no need for downtime following the test.

She has a similar process when conducting the HPV test.

What happens if my Pap smear results are abnormal?

Abnormal Pap smear results don’t immediately mean you have cervical cancer. Dr. Bridges talks to you about what your test results mean and what happens next. She may perform additional testing and screenings to confirm or rule out cervical cancer and remove any abnormal tissue.

She may also recommend more frequent Pap smears to monitor cervical health.

Don’t put off your Pap smear. Call Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, or book an appointment online today.