A Pap smear is a medical exam used to determine if a woman has cervical cancer. It’s performed by a… developing. Path to improved health When should I begin having Papsmears? The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) does not recommend Papsmears for women who…
It’s important for women to take an active approach to health care. This means making it a priority to schedule… Physicians (AAFP) does not recommend Papsmears for women under age 21. Women 21 to 29 years of age should have a Pap smear every…
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a cancer-causing, synthetic female hormone given to pregnant women between 1938 and 1971… a colposcope) to magnify the view of the tissues in your vagina and cervix. It is important to have pelvic exams and Papsmears every year. I am a…
Good health can decrease your risk of developing certain conditions. Learn what you can do to maintain your health… factors, such as family history. One way to detect breast cancer is to do a monthly self-exam. Women should get routine papsmears as well. Women…
Cervical dysplasia is when there are abnormal, or precancerous, cells in and around a woman’s cervix. This doesn’t mean you… cervix. The vagina opens up into the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. Cervical dysplasia is detected by a pap test (pap…
A colposcopy is a type of women’s health exam. The purpose of the exam is to get a close look… colposcope. It shines a light on the cervix and magnifies the view. A colposcopy often is done if you have an abnormal Papsmear. The…
Prenatal care means taking care of yourself and your baby before he or she is born, including living a healthy… background and risk for problems. Tests can include: A pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus (womb) A Papsmear to…
Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that can occur in different places including your colon, nose, ear, throat, and stomach… What are polyps? Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue. They are small and can be shaped like a raised bump or a stalk with…
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of female reproductive organs. It can make it hard to get pregnant and cause… What is pelvic inflammatory disease? Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. This includes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Left…
A preventive service might be a test, an immunization or vaccine, or advice from your doctor. These services can detect… In addition to treating you when you are sick, your doctor can help you follow a program designed to help you stay healthy. Many physicians…
Dyspareunia is a medical term used to describe painful sex for women… What is dyspareunia? Dyspareunia is painful sex for women. Also, it causes pain during tampon use. The pain can be felt in a woman’s genitals or deep inside her pelvis. Symptoms of dyspareunia…
Vulvar cancer is not very common. If found early, vulvar cancer has a high cure rate and the treatment options… What is vulvar cancer? The vulva is the skin and fatty tissue between the upper thighs of women. It extends from the area of the…
When you are diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming. You have your feelings to deal with, plus a whole… When you are diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming. You have your feelings to deal with. But you also have to deal with a…
Cervical cancer screening is important and has saved lives… Cervical cancer screening is an important part of preventing cancer or detecting it early. Two tests are used for screenings: the Pap test (or smear) and the HPV test. The Pap test checks for cell…
HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus… What is human papillomavirus (HPV)? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted virus. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. There are more than 200 types of HPV. Some types…
Cervical cancer is abnormal growth of cells in a woman’s cervix. Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human… What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is abnormal growth of cells in a woman’s cervix. The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus…