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They say that once a woman becomes sexually active, we need to undergo a pap test or pap smear to check for sexually transmitted diseases or any abnormalities in the reproductive system. This is a screening tool which can be only taken even for just once a year, so it won’t really take a lot of time. Bottom line, that one test can actually be a lifesaver.

But there are also things that a pap smear won’t be able to detect in a woman’s reproductive make up and so one needs to undergo other tests as well and here are those undetectable health-related issues as researched by Dr. Andrew Kramer, a clinical instructor from Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.

1. A pap test doesn’t cover detecting Chlamydia or gonorrhea - We all have an idea about Gonorrhea and as for Chlamydia it is ” a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.” Even though you trust you gynecologist, it wouldn’t hurt to be extra careful and remind your doctor to test you annually for these fertility busting infections.

2. This test won’t be able to detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - This common STD typically goes away on its own without doing any harm, though some types can lead to cervical cancer. Since the odds are high that your body will fight off HPV, gynes don’t generally bother to check for it. However, if you’re over 30, request an HPV test; a woman has a higher likelihood of contracting cervical cancer than a younger woman.

3. It won’t prevent HPV - But a woman can lower the odds of contracting it with the new HPV vaccine.  Ask your gynecologist if it’s right for you.

4.  In the case of abnormal results, you’ll need further testing -  The doctor may perform colposcopy, which examines cervical cells close up and a biopsy.

As always, health is something we cannot just rely on gut feeling, we need to make that one appointment for it can can a very big difference.