Pap Smear Results After 45: What Do Endometrial Cells Really Mean?

If your Pap smear shows benign-appearing endometrial cells (BEC), what does that really mean? Learn why labs now report these findings only after age 45, how it relates to your menstrual cycle, and when it may signal endometrial hyperplasia or cancer risk. 0:00 – Intro 1:00 – Where do endometrial cells come from? 1:45 – Why the age cutoff changed from 40 to 45 3:00 – Normal shedding vs pathologic causes 3:45 – Postmenopausal implications 4:30 – Premenopausal implications 5:30 – How doctors approach BEC 6:25 – Key takeaways for women over 45