Does a pap smear test for STDs?

Charlene Flash, MD, MPH is an infectious disease physician. She is President and CEO of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease at Baylor College of Medicine.
This video is a joint production of KFF’s GREATER THAN and CDC’s LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER.
This information is shared for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at the time of filming. Always consult a healthcare provider for any personal health decisions.
The marks “CDC” and “Let’s Stop HIV Together” are owned by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services and are used with permission. Use of these logos is not an endorsement by HHS or CDC of any particular product, service, or enterprise.
TRANSCRIPT:
I'm Dr. Flash and I'm here to answer your questions about sexual health.
Women should absolutely be getting pap smears. And when you're getting your pap smear, you should also talk to your provider about getting STD testing as well.
I think sometimes when women go through pap smears, they assume that “everything” was done.
And it's important as the patient to really go through the checklist and say, “Okay, so you did my pap smear, but did you also check me for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV?” And make sure that HIV testing and that STD testing also happens.
I can't tell you how many times I will have a patient come in and I have to explain that a pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It is not part of an STD checkup.

[@badibuddy9587]

My OB diagnosed me with a trichonomas vaginalis after a Pap smear. I am confused.

[@TogetherGreaterThan]

Hi there, according to CDC, “Although T. vaginalis might be an incidental finding on a Pap test, neither conventional nor liquid-based Pap smears are considered diagnostic tests for trichomoniasis; however, women with T. vaginalis identified on a Pap smear should be retested with sensitive diagnostic tests and treated if infection is confirmed”. Read more by visiting www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/trichomoniasis.htm.
Always consult a health care provider before making any health care decisions or for any guidance.

[@badibuddy9587]

@@TogetherGreaterThan Thank you for the reply. This is really helpful. I am now taking metronidazole on my 2nd day as prescribed by my OBgyne. I asked if i can have a wet mount test or NAAT but it seems like our labs here in the philippines are not familiar with both. I already visited two OBgynes but both of them recommended i do the “gram stain test” after the 7th day of my taking the metrodinazole. In defeat, i just followed what they prescribed.
Thank you doctor for replying to my message. It takes a lot of effort to respond and i cannot give nothing to you but a like and a subscribe. I pray you more blessings your way.