Ask Dr. A: Pap Smear vs HPV Test — What’s the Difference? cover art

Ask Dr. A: Pap Smear vs HPV Test — What’s the Difference?

Ask Dr. A: Pap Smear vs HPV Test — What’s the Difference?

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 What does a pap smear test for, and what happens after an abnormal pap smear? In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney interviews Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi to break down exactly what a pap smear is, how HPV affects cervical cancer risk, and what women need to know about abnormal results. A pap smear is a cervical cancer screening test that checks for precancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. A pap smear does not test for ovarian cancer, uterine conditions, or all sexually transmitted infections. HPV testing is often performed at the same time because high risk HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer.Can you have HPV with a normal Pap smear? What actually happens after an abnormal result? Dr. A answers these questions and more, explaining that while most HPV infections clear on their own within one to two years, monitoring and follow-up are key. The bottom line: cervical cancer is highly preventable with routine Pap and HPV screening—but annual well-woman visits are still essential for protecting your long-term health.Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, Endometriosis, fertility, and hormonal balance. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.Sponsors:Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at PremierProtein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers.Midi Health - Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit JoinMidi.com today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit. Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to hibobbie.com — to the formula trusted by parents and loved by their babies — 700k and counting.Peloton - Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com What You’ll Learn:What a pap smear actually tests for and what it does not screenHow HPV and pap smear testing work together to prevent cervical cancerWhat abnormal pap smear results like ASCUS, CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3 meanWhen a normal pap smear still requires follow up or colposcopyWhy regular pap smear screening makes cervical cancer almost entirely preventableKey Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:00 What a pap smear tests for and what it does not check03:40 HPV explained: low risk vs high risk and why it’s common05:15 Screening guidelines and why pap smear alone is not enough07:15 What types of results you can get back from a pap smear 17:20 When you need a colposcopy and what happens during the procedure22:15 Biopsy results and CIN staging explained34:00 Treatment options: cryotherapy, LEEP procedure, and cold knife cone35:40 Risks of aggressive LEEP and pregnancy considerations38:00 HPV dormancy and common misconceptions41:45 HPV vaccine recommendations and prevention43:00 Final takeaway: pap smear schedule vs well woman examKey Takeaways:A pap smear screens for cervical cancer and HPV, not STDs, ovarian cancer, or uterine conditionsHigh risk HPV, especially types 16 and 18, may require colposcopy even with a normal pap smearColposcopy and cervical biopsy confirm whether precancer cells are present and guide treatmentMost HPV infections clear naturally within one to two yearsCervical cancer is preventable with routine pap smear and HPV screening, but annual well woman exams remain essentialResources Mentioned in This Episode:🌐HPV Vaccine Information (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/index.html🌐Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines (ACOG): https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/cervical-cancer-screeningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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