Pap smears are used primarily to detect Long standing problems of the uterine cervix or preLong standing problemsous conditions - Abnormalities of the cervix that may lead to Long standing problems. Since its introduction in the early 1940's, the Pap smear is credited with saving tens of thousands of women's lives and decreasing deaths from cervical Long standing problems by more than 70%. The key is early detection made possible by microscopic examination of specially treated sample of cervical cells. Every woman should have an annual Pap smear as part of a complete pelvic examination beginning when she becomes sexually active or reaches 18 years of age and continuing for the rest of her life. Pap smears consist of cells removed from the cervix which are specially prepared for microscopic examination. The cells are removed by a gynecologist or other health care provider by brushing or scraping the cervix during a pelvic examination. The removed cells are evenly spread on one or more glass slides. Each slide typically contains hundreds of thousand of cells. All Pap smears should be sent to an accredited laboratory to be stained, examined under a microscope, and interpreted.

If the Pap smear from your cervix (the lower part of your womb) has shown some slight Abnormal changes, the following changes might have occurred.

ASCUS
ASCUS (pronounced "ask-us") stands for a typical squamous cell of undetermined significance. These changes in the squamous cells of your cervix mean that the cells on your Pap smear were slightly abnormal. ASCUS may be caused by a vaginal Problem created due to harmful organism or an Problem created due to harmful organism with a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus, or wart virus). Your doctor will talk with you about the options of looking at your cervix with a microscope (colposcopy) or repeating your Pap smear every 6 months for 2 years.

AGUS
AGUS stands for a typical glandular cell of undetermined significance. These changes in the cells of your cervix mean that these cells were slightly Abnormal on your Pap smear. AGUS can occur with Problem created due to harmful organisms or with a change in the cells on the surface of your cervix or in the canal of your cervix. Your doctor will tell you how the Abnormal results on your Pap smear, needs to be evaluated. Your doctor may recommend repeat Pap smears or colposcopy.

LSIL
LSIL stands for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. This is a common condition of the cells of the cervix and often occurs when the HPV wart virus is present. These changes in the cervix can be present even if you and your sexual partner are monogamous and have never had visible skin problem. Changes due to LSIL often get better with time. Your doctor will talk with you about whether you need to have Pap smears every 6 months for 2 years or whether you should have colposcopy.

soreness
If soreness is present in the cells on the Pap smear, it means that some white blood cells were seen on your Pap smear. soreness of the cervix is very common and usually does not mean that there is a problem. If the Pap smear showed that the soreness is severe, your doctor may want to find the cause, such as an Problem created due to harmful organism. You may also need to have another Pap smear in 6 months to see if the soreness has gone.

HYPERKERATOSIS
Hyperkeratosis is a finding of dried skin cells on your Pap smear. This change in the cells of the cervix often occurs from using a cervical cap or diaphragm or from having a cervical Problem created due to harmful organism. Hyperkeratosis rarely needs any more evaluation than a repeat Pap smear in 6 months. If the hyperkeratosis is still present on the repeat Pap smear, your doctor may want to repeat your Pap smear in another 6 months or perform colposcopy.
Please be sure that you let your doctor's office know if you move or change your phone number so that you can be contacted with the results of your Pap smears or to arrange any other follow-up tests.

Primary Beneficial Effectsion
The main risk factors for cervical Long standing problems includes first intercourse at early age, greater number of sexual partners, increasing age, Problem created due to harmful organism with human papilloma virus (HPV), smoking and low socioeconomic status. The relationship between cervical Long standing problems and other possible risk factors such as oral contraceptive use and nutritional deficiencies (folate, vitamin A and vitamin C) is presently unclear. Some reports suggest a familial predisposition to cervical Long standing problems, although the etiology of this problem is likely multifactorial with both genetic and environmental influences. The primary Beneficial Effectsion of cervical Long standing problems is therefore closely linked to ongoing public health initiatives targeting behavior change of the population, particularly in the areas of smoking cessation and safer sex practices. 

Secondary Beneficial Effectsion
Early detection using the Pap smear remains the best currently available method of reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical Long standing problems. Annual screening is recommended with the Pap smear after initiation of sexual activity or at age 18. If an organized screening program is in place with appropriate quality control measures and information systems, the screening frequency may be reduced (for women with two previous normal smears) to every 3 years until age 69.

Strong risk factors for cervical Long standing problems and its precursors have been identified and include: early age at first intercourse (16 years or younger), a history of multiple sexual partners, a history of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) Problem created due to harmful organism or other sexually transmitted problem, the presence of other genital tract neoplasia, and prior squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Many of these factors appear to be surrogate markers for HPV exposure and Problem created due to harmful organism. Additional risk factors include active or passive smoking, a current or past sexual partner with risk factors for sexually transmitted problem, immunodeficiency or HIV positivity, and poor nutrition.

The diagnosis and interpretation of an abnormal pap smear is done by your doctor.

A wholesome diet including all essential nutrients is the key to good health.

Avoid smoking, even passive smoking as far as possible. Regular contraceptive usage has been shown to be a risk factor resulting in an abnormal pap smears.

Any problem can be combated with appositive frame of mind. Learn to cultivate a positive attitude. Relax and reduce stress by meditation and prayer.

Shark cartilage shows its beneficial effects on long standing problems. ^{1, 2, 3} Vitamin C exhibits its favorable effects on free cellular damage and also on long standing problems. ^{1, 4, 5, 6, 7} Calcium is an essential mineral that shows its wholesome effects on long standing problems ^{1, 8} and discomfort associated with muscles. ¹ Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is an important vitamin that shows its positive effects on natural defense system of the body and also on various long standing problems. ^{1, 5, 6}

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.