Pap Smear Center - Billerica, MA
Billerica Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for Pap SmearType of Physician: Obstetrician-Gynecologist What is a Obstetrician-Gynecologist? A certification by the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; practitioners provide medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders, to the extent that it distinguishes them from other physicians. This training enables them to serve as consultants to other physicians and as primary physicians for women. Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Common Name: Ob/Gyn or Ob-Gyn Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors in Billerica * Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Ob/Gyn  Chelmsford Ob/Gyn PC  Chelmsford Ob/Gyn PC  Chelmsford Ob/Gyn PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Ob/Gyn  Beth Israel Deaconess Women's Health  Beth Israel Deaconess Women's Health  Burlington Ob/Gyn Associates  Burlington Ob/Gyn Associates  Burlington Ob/Gyn Associates  Lahey Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology  Lahey Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology  Lahey Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology  Edgardo A Garcia-Trias MD  Harvard Vanguard Womens Health  Harvard Vanguard Womens Health  Harvard Vanguard Womens Health  Harvard Vanguard Womens Health  Merrimack Valley Ob/Gyn Inc  Reproductive Science Center  A Womans Place  Lexington Ob/Gyn Associates  Nonnie M Estella MD  John C Hughes MD  Carlos A Madrid MD  Vijaya Swamy MD PC  Winchester Hospital Family Medical Ctr  Woman Health Ob/Gyn  Fertility Solutions, P.C.  Woman Health Ob/Gyn  Woman Health Ob/Gyn  Woman Health Ob/Gyn  Winchester Women's Healthcare  Woman Health Ob/Gyn  Lahey Medical Center Lexington Internal Medicine  Chelmsford Family Practice  Concord Ob/Gyn Associates  Winchester Ob/Gyn Associates  Winchester Ob/Gyn Associates  Winchester Ob/Gyn Associates  Concord Ob/Gyn Associates  Winchester Ob/Gyn Associates  Concord Ob/Gyn Associates  Concord Ob/Gyn Associates  Ana-Cristina Vasilescu MD  AFA OB/GYN  AFA OB/GYN  Kramer Ob/Gyn  Jay W Hendelman MD  Kramer Ob/Gyn  Northern Middlesex Women's Healthcare  Kramer Ob/Gyn  K David Kang MD  Greater Lowell Ob/Gyn  Dowd Medical Associates  Dowd Medical Associates  Stuart G Pesin MD  Fertility Center of New England Inc  Fertility Center of New England Inc  Andover Ob/Gyn  Andover Ob/Gyn  Andover Ob/Gyn  Andover Ob/Gyn  Mount Auburn Ob/Gyn & Midwifery Associates  Winchester Hospital Hematology/Oncology  Marie C Lemonnier MD PC  Michel M Lirette MD  Michael J Grossman MD  About Women by Women  About Women by Women  About Women by Women  Swati R Chokalingham MD  Swati R Chokalingham MD  Sudha G Mehta MD  Women's Healthcare Associates PC  Ali Mobayen MD  Women's Healthcare Associates PC  Women's Healthcare Associates PC  Fresh Pond Women's Health Associates  Anthony J DiSciullo MD  Fresh Pond Women's Health Associates  Fresh Pond Women's Health Associates  Boston Urogynecology Associates  Womens Healthcare of New England  Jeanne M Kilp MD  Franklin B Waddell MD  Mitchell Zager MD  Ellen M Guthrie MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Medford  Bernard Logan MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Medford  Matthias G Muenzer MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Medford  Vasant M Thacker MD & Neelam Thacker MD  Vasant M Thacker MD & Neelam Thacker MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Ob/Gyn  Stephanie L Koontz MD  Wellesley Womens Care  Mt Auburn Practice for Women  Mt Auburn Practice for Women Billerica, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Pap SmearWhat is a Pap smear?A Pap smear (also known as the Pap test) is a medical procedure in which a sample of cells from a woman's cervix (the end of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is collected and spread (smeared) on a microscope slide. The cells are examined under a microscope in order to look for pre-malignant (before-cancer) or malignant (cancer) changes. A Pap smear is a simple, quick, and relatively painless screening test. Its specificity - which means its ability to avoid classifying a normal smear as abnormal (a "false positive" result) - while very good, is not perfect. The sensitivity of a Pap smear - which means its ability to detect every single abnormality -- while good, is also not perfect, and some "false negative" results (in which abnormalities are present but not detected by the test) will occur. Thus, a few women develop cervical cancer despite having regular Pap screening. In the vast majority of cases, a Pap test does identify minor cellular abnormalities before they have had a chance to become malignant and at a point when the condition is most easily treatable. The Pap smear is not intended to detect other forms of cancer such as those of the ovary, vagina, or uterus. Cancer of these organs may be discovered during the course of the gynecologic (pelvic) exam, which usually is done at the same time as the Pap smear.
Who should have a Pap smear?Pregnancy does not prevent a woman from having a Pap smear. Pap smears can be safely done during pregnancy. Pap smear testing is not indicated for women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) for benign conditions. Women who have had a hysterectomy in which the cervix is not removed, called subtotal hysterectomy, should continue screening following the same guidelines as women who have not had a hysterectomy. The screening guidelines of... Recommended Reading Related to Pap SmearWhat are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be
transferred from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. STDs
are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since they
involve the transmission of a disease-causing organism from one person to
another during sexual activity. It is important to realize that sexual contact
includes more than just sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal). Sexual contact
includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual "toys," such as
vibrators. STDs probably have been around for thousands of years, but the most
dangerous of these conditions, the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has only been recognized since
1984.
Many STDs are treatable, but effective cures are lacking for others, such as HIV, HPV, and hepatitis B and C. Even gonorrh... Other Related Pap Smear ArticlesEmergency Contact for Billerica
Nearby Billerica Hospitals *Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Saints Medical Center HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital Emerson Hospital HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Isham Health Center Winchester Hospital McLean Hospital Lawrence General Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Somerville Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network North Shore Medical Center Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Newton Wellesley Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Nashoba Valley Medical Center Arbour HRI Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital M I T Medical Baldpate Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Southern New Hampshire Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital St Joseph Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Merrimack Valley Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Boston Medical Center Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Arbour Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Bournewood Hospital Faulkner Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Beverly Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Hampstead Hospital Parkland Medical Center Milton Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Quincy Medical Center Westborough State Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Pap Smear by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
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Genital Warts (HPV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. HPV is primarily transmitted by sexual contact. While some people develop warts in the genital region after infection, others experience no symptoms. Though genital warts can be removed, there is no cure for HPV infection. There is a vaccine to prevent infection from four common HPV types.
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Ovarian Cancer
- There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
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Menopause
- Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
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Chlamydia In Women
- Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for chlamydia.
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Syphilis In Women
- Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by a microscopic, wormlike bacterial organism called a spirochete. There are three stages of syphilis. The first involves the formation of the chancre. The second stage often includes hair loss, a sore throat, white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina, fever, headaches, and a skin rash. The third stage can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death. Though early infection often resolves on its own, treatment usually varies based on the stage of the infection at the time of diagnosis.
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Yeast Infection
- Yeast vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vagina. Symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
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Disease Prevention in Women
- Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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Uterine Growths
- Benign uterine growths are tissue enlargements of the female womb (uterus). Three types of benign uterine growths are uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine polyps. Symptoms include: abdominal pressure, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Diagnosis and treatment of benign uterine growths depends upon the type of growth.
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Sexual Health
- Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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Sexual Problems (Sex) in Women
- Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem that arises during any phase of the sexual response cycle, preventing an individual or couple from experiencing sexual satisfaction. Physical, medical, and psychological conditions may affect sexual functioning, resulting in inhibited sexual desire, inability to become aroused, lack of orgasm, and painful intercourse. Treating the underlying physical and psychological problems usually resolves most female sexual problems.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs)
- When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
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Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
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Cervical Dysplasia
- Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which the cells of the inner lining of the cervix have precancerous changes. There are two types of cervical dysplasia; 1) squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 2) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection of the cervix with HPV (human papillomavirus). There are various diagnostic measures for cervical dysplasia. Treatment generally depends upon the progression of the dysplasia, mild, moderate, or severe.
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Cervical Cancer
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