Thinx, a revolutionary underwear for your red days, recently talked about new findings regarding vaginal health. In focus is clinical tests that will help you with your sexual health and other factors leading to detect HPV and even cancer. Here, we find that new research is still moving forward. (Even though some parties aren’t in favor of it.)
Regardless, we can improve on what is available to us and we can help raise awareness among fellow women. If you’re still a little clueless or confused about what you should do, here’s what we picked up.
#1 You’re getting a pap smear too often
Before, it was recommended to have a b. Vpap smear at least once a year. New studies by the American Society for Clinical Pathology reflect that it should just be once every three years (Less awkward days in the clinic, yas!) This is very important if you are between ages 21 to 29 years old. Once you hit your 30s, it’s more advisable to combine pap smear tests with HPV tests. The old rule used to stipulate that a pap smear should be done every year by women ages 21 to 29 and once every two to three years for those above 30.
The change is a sign of the times as death due to cervical cancer has decreased because of the advancements in gynecology and early detection systems.
#2 The body can heal itself
Another reason why you don’t have to get a pap smear every year is how most HPV’s have been proven to die within one to two years. Disruption in the immune system’s normal healing patterns can cause further damage. Thus, the three-year timeline fits with the immune system and how it can combat foreign bodies. It’s only when the disease goes on for three years should one be worried as that’s already an indication that your body can’t handle it on it’s own.
#3 A pap smear isn’t an HPV test
Though a pap smear is used to determine several strains of HPV, yeast infections, and early states of cancer, it’s still not enough. Sexually active people are advised to take HPV tests in order to cure its effects and since the effect can range from frequent colds to a number of different and disparate diseases. That means even the seemingly most healthy person in your group can fall victim to it.