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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Need for pap tests.
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Need for pap tests.
by Rockypu, Nov 13, 2006 12:00AM
Is there any need to have pap tests done after a total hysterectomy? Why / why not?
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Nov 13, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 13, 2006 12:00AM
A. Doctors disagree on this. For the yes side, some small piece of the cervix (the neck of the womb) may be inadvertently left after a hysterectomy and a pap is very useful for checking this. Also, some women don’t come back after a hysterectomy and they don’t have their ovaries checked (if they were not removed) or regular breast checks. Being seen regularly is also important to detect osteoporosis, colon cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other medical illness. I have also seen vaginal and vulvar cancer after a hysterectomy and that would have been missed without exams.
For the no side, the likelihood of cervical cancer after a hysterectomy is quite low so the yield from a pap smear is also low. Some people compromise and get a pap smear every other year.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
For the no side, the likelihood of cervical cancer after a hysterectomy is quite low so the yield from a pap smear is also low. Some people compromise and get a pap smear every other year.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
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