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Is A PAP Smear Necessary To Examine Bumps In Vagina?
Question: I am 66 years old, dangerously obese (5'3"-- 324#), immobile (wheel chair), using oxygen (continuous flow), getting no exercise (moving from wheel chair to commode or
bed is an effort), and I have been diagnoised with COPD, Pulmonary Hypertension,
sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, thyroid condition, gorter, and vocal polyps.
I have been told I have ovarian and bartholin cysts, uterine fibroids, and fibrocystic breasts. I had what appeared to be a regular menstral cycle until age 64. My GYN referred me to a GYN-Oncologist who did a hysteroscopy, USG, pap & pelvic exams and stated the monthly bleeding might be 'coming from the fibroids' so I should have a
complete hysterectomy since she could not determine why I was still bleeding. I asked to have time to think it over since I could not determine why fibroids would 'bleed' every month at the same time. Before my next appointment (1 year) the
bleeding ended. I went for my yearly PAP in July, 2014 and was told that rare A typical
cells were detected but HPV test was 'okay'. I was instructed to come back in a year.
I have NEVER had an abnormal PAP smear but when my sister had one, her doctor
had her come back for retesting in 3 to 6 months. During my exam in July, I asked about bumps in the vaginal area that I feel when bathing. I asked about 'warts' but was
told there was no problem with that and all that was noticed was a couple of 'hair bumps. There was no comment when I remarked that 'hair bumps' don't last over a year in the same spot. I shower using a shower chair, but I am unable to sit down in the bathtub as I am unable to get in & out due to my knees. I understand that my obesity makes pelvic exam difficult. What should I do? Find another doctor? Get another PAP smear?
bed is an effort), and I have been diagnoised with COPD, Pulmonary Hypertension,
sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, thyroid condition, gorter, and vocal polyps.
I have been told I have ovarian and bartholin cysts, uterine fibroids, and fibrocystic breasts. I had what appeared to be a regular menstral cycle until age 64. My GYN referred me to a GYN-Oncologist who did a hysteroscopy, USG, pap & pelvic exams and stated the monthly bleeding might be 'coming from the fibroids' so I should have a
complete hysterectomy since she could not determine why I was still bleeding. I asked to have time to think it over since I could not determine why fibroids would 'bleed' every month at the same time. Before my next appointment (1 year) the
bleeding ended. I went for my yearly PAP in July, 2014 and was told that rare A typical
cells were detected but HPV test was 'okay'. I was instructed to come back in a year.
I have NEVER had an abnormal PAP smear but when my sister had one, her doctor
had her come back for retesting in 3 to 6 months. During my exam in July, I asked about bumps in the vaginal area that I feel when bathing. I asked about 'warts' but was
told there was no problem with that and all that was noticed was a couple of 'hair bumps. There was no comment when I remarked that 'hair bumps' don't last over a year in the same spot. I shower using a shower chair, but I am unable to sit down in the bathtub as I am unable to get in & out due to my knees. I understand that my obesity makes pelvic exam difficult. What should I do? Find another doctor? Get another PAP smear?
Brief Answer:
Need PAP smear report.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
thanks for writing..
I understand your concern..
Follow up of PAP depends on the type of atypical cells in pap smear.. If its low grade, yearly follow up with pap smear is advised. If it is high grade cells which is more likely to cause cancer, colposcopy is advised and 6 monthly follow up. May be you have a low grade lesion. Can you send me your pap smear report?
Persisting low grade lesion might require colposcopy and biopsy from any lesion over the cervix and yearly follow up.
Do you have pain over the swelling in vagina or is it just a wart? Is there itching? If its a wart, electrocauterisation of the wart can be done..
Please send me the report to give you a definite diagnosis and I would suggest whether you need another pap smear or not. Feel free to ask any doubts..Good day..
Need PAP smear report.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
thanks for writing..
I understand your concern..
Follow up of PAP depends on the type of atypical cells in pap smear.. If its low grade, yearly follow up with pap smear is advised. If it is high grade cells which is more likely to cause cancer, colposcopy is advised and 6 monthly follow up. May be you have a low grade lesion. Can you send me your pap smear report?
Persisting low grade lesion might require colposcopy and biopsy from any lesion over the cervix and yearly follow up.
Do you have pain over the swelling in vagina or is it just a wart? Is there itching? If its a wart, electrocauterisation of the wart can be done..
Please send me the report to give you a definite diagnosis and I would suggest whether you need another pap smear or not. Feel free to ask any doubts..Good day..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
I have been unable to secure the PAP report. The doctor says they can't send it
to me, but the nurse could discuss it with me. The nurse did say the cells were
'low-grade' and require follow up in one (1) year. She assured me the test did NOT indicate cancer.
There is no consistent vaginal pain or itching, but I do feel at least 2 or 3 'bumps'
when I bathe or wipe. During the PAP & Pelvic, the doctor said she didn't see anything except 'maybe a hair bump'. Every now and then I feel some discomfort in the area, like a shooting, quick stabbing jolt, that quickly goes away.
What does a colposcopy entail? What does a hysteroscopy entail?
Sorry for my delay in response, my computer was down.
to me, but the nurse could discuss it with me. The nurse did say the cells were
'low-grade' and require follow up in one (1) year. She assured me the test did NOT indicate cancer.
There is no consistent vaginal pain or itching, but I do feel at least 2 or 3 'bumps'
when I bathe or wipe. During the PAP & Pelvic, the doctor said she didn't see anything except 'maybe a hair bump'. Every now and then I feel some discomfort in the area, like a shooting, quick stabbing jolt, that quickly goes away.
What does a colposcopy entail? What does a hysteroscopy entail?
Sorry for my delay in response, my computer was down.
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing..
Since it is a low grade lesion, yearly follow up will be sufficient. So dont worry.
Since there is no itching or pain in the vaginal bumps and your doctor didnot find anything abnormal in the vaginal, I feel you need not worry about it.
Colposcopy is a test to see the lesions over the cervix which is the mouth of uterus. It is an OP procedure.
Hysteroscopy is a procedure by which both cervix and inside of the uterus is seen with a laproscope inserted through vagina. It requires anaesthesia.
Hope I have answered your queries. If no furthur doubts, please close the conversation and rate my answer. Good day.
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing..
Since it is a low grade lesion, yearly follow up will be sufficient. So dont worry.
Since there is no itching or pain in the vaginal bumps and your doctor didnot find anything abnormal in the vaginal, I feel you need not worry about it.
Colposcopy is a test to see the lesions over the cervix which is the mouth of uterus. It is an OP procedure.
Hysteroscopy is a procedure by which both cervix and inside of the uterus is seen with a laproscope inserted through vagina. It requires anaesthesia.
Hope I have answered your queries. If no furthur doubts, please close the conversation and rate my answer. Good day.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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