Does Pap Smear Test Diagnose Chlamydia?

Posted on Wed, 21 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 Answered on

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a pap smear & pelvic exam. Would Chlyamidia signs have been seen during pelvic if I had it?

Answered by Dr. Timothy Raichle (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It might not show up on the exam.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question.

When women have a regular exam, we do get a look at the cervix. If you had Chlamydia, it might present as a visibly increased discharge, but it might not show up at all. Chlamydia lives inside the cells of the cervix and is considered 'intracellular". This is how it escapes detection. You can ask for them to run a test for Chlamydia off of the Pap smear if they still have the specimen.

Please let me know if this helps!

Dr Raichle

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D