Pap Smear Center - Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto * Barbara A Peters MD  Palo Alto Medical Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Peninsula Prenatal Diagnosis  Peninsula Prenatal Diagnosis  Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital  Nova In Vitro Fertilization  Nova In Vitro Fertilization  Stanford Hospital Reproductive Endocrinology  Drs Lannin & Matteri  Nancy Mason MD  Drs Lannin & Matteri  Jagdip Powar MD  Davis W Baldwin MD  Menlo Medical Clinic  Menlo Medical Clinic  Menlo Medical Clinic  Menlo Medical Clinic  Ruth Ann Crystal MD  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Portola Valley Women's Health Medical Center  Integral Health Institute  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Kaiser Permanente OB/GYN  Donald Creevy MD  Gary S Toig MD  Gary S Toig MD  Carol Merryfield MD  Women's Care Medical Group  Carol Merryfield MD  Redwood City Womens Health  Redwood City Womens Health  Women's Care Medical Group  Redwood City Womens Health  Women's Care Medical Group  Carol Merryfield MD  Redwood City Womens Health  Women's Care Medical Group  Women's Care Medical Group  Women's Care Medical Group  David L Francisco MD  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Women Physicians Ob/Gyn Medical Group Inc  Women Physicians Ob/Gyn Medical Group Inc  Women Physicians Ob/Gyn Medical Group Inc  Drs Ken & Tracy Liu  El Camino Ob/Gyn Medical Group  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Patricia L Rogers MD  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Carol Ann Somersille MD  Women Physicians Ob/Gyn Medical Group Inc  Connie Tan MD  Warren & Warren MDs  Warren & Warren MDs  Altos Oaks Medical Group Ob/Gyn  Prasanna Menon MD  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Bernardo Medical Center  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Camino Medical Group Obstetrics & Gynecology  Centerville Medical Group & Associates Inc  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Permanente Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Permanente Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Permanente Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Permanente Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Ob/Gyn Palo Alto, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
2012-06-23
2012-06-24
2012-06-24
2012-07-01
2012-07-14
2012-07-28
2012-08-05
2012-08-25
2012-10-21
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 Palo Alto
Nearby Palo Alto Hospitals *Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Stanford Hospital & Clinics VA Palo Alto Health Care System Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center Sequoia Hospital El Camino Hospital San Mateo Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Fremont Hospital Mills Hospital Washington Hospital Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center St Rose Hospital Mills-Peninsula Health Services O'Connor Hospital Santa Clara Valley Medical Center El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose Eden Medical Center Regional Medical Center of San Jose Good Samaritan Hospital Mission Oaks Alameda County Medical Center Fairmont Campus John George Psychiatric Pavilion San Leandro Hospital Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area Seton Medical Center Coastside Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Alameda Hospital ValleyCare Health System Pleasanton Seton Medical Center Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus St Luke's Hospital Livermore Division of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System San Francisco General Hospital San Ramon Regional Medical Center Valley Memorial Hospital Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Chinese Hospital St Mary's Medical Center Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center California Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus San Francisco VA Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center Dominican Hospital John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center 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
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
15 articles-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Cervical Cancer
-
Medications
1 articles -
Procedures & Tests
7 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
8 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
8 articles -
Health News
14 articles -
Health Features
2 articles
