Women's Health
Abnormal Pap Test - When To Call a Doctor
Most problems that cause abnormal Pap tests do not cause symptoms, so you won't know you have cervical cell changes. Regular Pap testing is needed to detect early cervical cell changes.
Call your doctor if:
Your Age-by-Age Guide to a Healthy Heart
By Janice Graham As you hit one of those big birthdays, you probably worry more about new wrinkles than about less visible body parts — like your heart. But recent research has found that each decade of your life is a crossroads, with new health concerns to worry about. What's more, you need to be aware of these issues — because your doctor may not be. "Many physicians fail to recognize how much a woman's risk factors for heart disease evolve over her lifetime," says Nieca Goldberg,...
Read the Your Age-by-Age Guide to a Healthy Heart article > >
- You have unexpected bleeding between menstrual periods, especially if you are not using any hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills.
- You have bleeding after douching or sexual intercourse.
If you think you may have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), call your doctor for an appointment. Avoid sexual intercourse until you have been treated for your symptoms and can no longer infect your partner.
If your sex partner has symptoms of an STI, both of you should be evaluated by a doctor. If you have been diagnosed with an STI, such as genital warts, your sex partner(s) may want to be evaluated.
If you have had an abnormal Pap test, be certain to complete any additional testing or treatment that your doctor recommends. You and your doctor can decide how often Pap test screening should continue or whether other tests are needed.
Who To See
Your family doctor or any of the following health professionals can manage an abnormal Pap test:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

