Abnormal Pap Smears And Colposcopy Specialist
Paul W. Morrison, M.D. Obstetrician Gynecologist
Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology located in Newburgh, IN. Serving the Evansville area.
If you’ve had an abnormal Pap smear and need a follow-up exam or colposcopy, it can be frightening. The experts at Paul W. Morrison, M.D. Obstetrician Gynecologist understands this fear and works with you to develop a personalized and effective care plan to protect your health. Located in Newburgh, Indiana, and serving patients in the surrounding Evansville area, Dr. Morrison and his team have extensive experience with abnormal Pap smears and colposcopies so you can feel confident in your care. To request an appointment, fill out the online form or call the office today.
Abnormal Pap Smears and Colposcopy Q & A
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a medical test used to identify abnormal cells in your cervix. Your cervix is located inside your vagina and is the opening to your uterus. When Dr. Morrison performs a Pap smear, he first inserts a speculum into your vagina to create an opening.
Through this opening, he carefully inserts a swab and brushes it against your cervix to take a sample. This process usually takes less than a minute. Your sample is tested in a lab, and you get your results back in 1-2 weeks.
What if I have an abnormal Pap smear?
An abnormal Pap smear means that there was some irritation or damage to the cells on your cervix. This irritation or damage may be caused by an infection or recent sexual intercourse, though it could also signal cancerous changes in your cervix.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common STD that’s responsible for causing cervical cancer. More than half of women have HPV at some point in their lives from sexual contact. If Dr. Morrison is concerned that the irritation or damage to your cervix is caused by HPV, he recommends a colposcopy for further testing.
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is similar to a Pap smear, though it includes using a specialized magnifying tool called a colposcope to visualize your cervix up close. Dr. Morrison performs a colposcopy to closely examine your cervix, looking for areas of redness or irritation that indicate damage.
He may take a small sample of tissue from your cervix, which feels like a pinching or scratching sensation. A colposcopy takes about 5 minutes to perform. If a sample is taken, you get the results within 1-2 weeks.
Do I need treatment for an abnormal Pap smear?
If you have an abnormal Pap smear, Dr. Morrison performs a colposcopy to check for precancerous changes in your cervix. For many women with HPV, your body clears the infection on its own, and you don’t need any additional treatment. In these cases, Dr. Morrison recommends more frequent Pap smears every six to 12 months until the Pap smear returns to normal.
If your pap smear does not return to normal or gets worse, Dr. Morrison discusses treatment options with you. He has extensive experience developing both conservative and aggressive treatment plans, depending on your long-term health goals, including childbearing.
For reliable Pap smears and advanced testing, including colposcopies, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Morrison or fill out the appointment request form now.