WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 1998: Re: pap smear

Re: pap smear

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Wed, 22 Apr 1998 20:20:52 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Leah: "lh surge twice in one month?"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Was this fair and appropriate treatment? I miscarried last week at 11 weeks.."
In reply to: ashley: "pap smear"

At Wed, 22 Apr 1998, ashley wrote: >
>1) does a virgin need to go for a pap smear?
>2) what is the age when one needs to do a pap smear?
>3) what does it mean by "sexually active"? as asked by all doctors
>4) does the risk of cancer increased for a person who has taken
>contraceptive pills

Ashley-

Anyone with the name "Ashley" must be o.k., (even if it's really a guy's name)!

1). Although abnormal Pap smears are most common in women who have had sexual intercourse (penis into vagina), about 10% of bad Paps do not seem related to sex. Therefore, women who are sexually active (at any age), or who are 18, should have a pelvic exam and a Pap smear. So, women who turn 18 should think about getting an exam and Pap smear.

2). When we ask about whether or not you are sexually active, it usually means "have you had sexual intercourse, with a penis into the vagina." However, there are a lot of ways to be "sexually active" without intercourse. So, when a doctor, nurse, or midwife asks this, it's best to simply tell them which kinds of sexual activity you engage in. For example, if you have never had intercourse, but have done other things, simply say something like "I have never had intercourse, but my boyfriend and I sometimes touch each other's sexual organs" or "we sometimes have oral sex." This is important because some infections (like herpes, for example) can be passed from one person to the other from oral sex.

3). Birth control pills actually prevent uterine and ovarian cancer. It doesn't matter if you take them on and off (although they sure work better if you take them every day!), or if you take them for many years. You don't have to "rest" from the pill. I have some patients who have taken them straight through for 30 years.

Thanks for the good questions.

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, Florida

The above information is provided for medical education only, and is not intended as specific medical advice. I am sorry, but due to time constraints, I am unable to answer personal e-mail.

Next message: Leah: "lh surge twice in one month?"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Was this fair and appropriate treatment? I miscarried last week at 11 weeks.."
In reply to: ashley: "pap smear"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: