Why do pap smears come back abnormal

This decision will be based on your age and your desire for childbearing, in addition to the results of the colposcopy. HPV is very prevalent. HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, usually through having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In most cases, your body is able to fight off the HPV over one to two years, and the virus will go away without causing any problems.

Having the Gardasil HPV vaccinations, if not already completed, may help clear the virus. Gardasil is now approved and indicated for women through age 45, to help prevent not only cervical, but vulvar, vaginal, anal and head and neck cancers that are caused by HPV. Going back to the original question, mildly abnormal cervical cells may not be concerning and may not need treatment. The abnormality may resolve on its own.

However, repeat Pap smear testing on a yearly basis for several years may be recommended to monitor the condition and check for either resolution, which commonly is seen, or worsening of the abnormality, which may need treatment in order to prevent cervical cancer.

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Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer, NLM says. As long as I have routine exams, my doctor reassures me we're likely to detect abnormal or precancerous cells early enough to remove them before they can develop further. I was lucky enough to have my cervical dysplasia detected and treated before it developed into cancer. Since then, I firmly believe that early detection is the best way to prevent cancer.

Another one of the more common abnormal Pap smear causes, especially in women aged 16 to 35, is the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis. As NLM explains, trichomoniasis can cause many symptoms, such as the following:.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to schedule a Pap smear test to confirm whether or not you have the disease, which requires an antibiotic treatment. This STD can affect both women and men, so be sure to discuss your results with your sexual partner.

It's important to remember that a Pap smear test evaluates the risk of cervical cancer. Other common STDS , such as herpes , chlamydia and gonorrhea , require additional testing. If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or have had unprotected sex, you should discuss your testing options with your doctor. According to the U.

Department of Health and Human Services , an abnormal Pap test result can also indicate that you might have a vaginal infection. If you do have an infection, you may be experiencing such symptoms as vaginal itching and odorous discharge, the Mayo Clinic reports.

My doctor recommends a form of treatment depending on the type of infection that I have, and may perform a follow-up screening test to rule out any additional problems. Department of Health and Human Services explains, there are many harmless reasons that a Pap smear can come back abnormal, including a lab error.

If you have recently had sexual intercourse, this can affect the cells of the cervix. Your provider will explain the different removal methods that may be right for you, but typically a loop electrosurgical excision procedure LEEP is performed. This involves a thin wire loop that carries an electric current to essentially erase abnormal cells in the cervix. After the LEEP procedure, you may experience some mild cramping for a few hours and some spotting and bleeding.

You can return back to work and daily activities the same day, but your doctor may ask you to refrain from exercise and other strenuous activities for a bit. Be sure to ask your doctor. You may not need a Pap test each year, but you should have a pelvic exam done annually during your well-woman visit.

To find a Banner Health provider near you, visit bannerhealth. By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer. May 17, Better Me. But most females with HPV never develop cervical cancer. Some women might not need to have Pap tests eventually. You can even have a colposcopy. If you need additional treatment, your doctor will advise if it should wait until your baby is born. After an abnormal Pap test you may need more frequent testing for a few years.

It depends on the reason for the abnormal result and your overall risk for cervical cancer. The main reason for a Pap test is to find abnormal cells before they become cancerous.

To lower your chances of getting HPV and cervical cancer, follow these prevention tips:. A colposcopy is a method of examining the cervix, vagina, and vulva with a colposcope. The procedure is usually performed if you had an abnormal Pap…. Genital human papillomavirus HPV infection is a common sexually transmitted infection STI caused by human papillomavirus. There are several…. Some symptoms are easy to identify as potentially serious health problems.

Chest pain, high fever, and bleeding are all typically signs that something…. Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which healthy cells on the cervix undergo abnormal changes.

For women, sexual health significantly impacts overall health. Practicing safe sex, using contraception properly, and getting screened regularly for…. Getting a regular Pap smear test is an important way to screen for STDs and cervical cancers.