What is the most common reason for an abnormal Pap smear?

Cause. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.

Should I be worried about abnormal Pap smear?

Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about

Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it’s important to follow up to make sure.

What does an abnormal Pap smear indicate?

Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). That’s the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and can be linked to cervical cancer. Changes to your cervical cells caused by HPV can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Are abnormal Pap smears common?

Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous. Abnormal Pap tests are very common. In fact, of the 3 million women with abnormal Pap tests each year, less than 1% (13,240 cases) will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

What is the next step after an abnormal Pap smear?

Your next step is usually a minor procedure called a colposcopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the cervix using a low-powered microscope used to find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.

Do doctors call you back after Pap smear results?

What happens after my abnormal Pap smear? After you get the call from your doctor’s office that you have an abnormal pap smear, you’ll come back into the office where you may have a repeat Pap test, or you’ll have a noninvasive procedure called a colposcopy.

Can stress cause abnormal Pap smear?

But she noted that many researchers speculate that stress may somehow be involved in cervical cancer because stressful times in women’s lives can often be associated with abnormal Pap smear results.

What are the symptoms of HPV in females?

Depending on the type of HPV a female has, they will present with different symptoms. If they have low risk HPV, warts may develop on the cervix, causing irritation and pain.
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Cervix: HPV and cancer symptoms
  • pain during relationship.
  • pain in the pelvic region.
  • unusual discharge from the lady parts.
  • unusual bleeding, such as after relationship.

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

HPV and other STDs

Other sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and conditions also cause irregular Pap test results, including: Genital warts (herpes) Trichomoniasis (another common STI) Other infections.

What are the symptoms of abnormal cervical cells?

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
  • Abnormal bleeding, such as. Bleeding between regular menstrual periods. Bleeding after sexual intercourse. …
  • Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle.
  • Heavy or unusual discharge that may be watery, thick, and possibly have a foul odor.
  • Increased urinary frequency.
  • Pain during urination.

How often should you get a Pap smear if abnormal?

How often should a Pap smear be repeated? Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65. Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV. Or they might consider HPV testing instead of the Pap test.

What is treatment for abnormal Pap smear?

If there are moderate to severe changes in your cervix, your doctor may want to remove the cervical tissue. Typically, your doctor will use the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or perform a cold knife cone biopsy as a minor surgical procedure.

What happens if they find precancerous cells in your cervix?

Precancerous conditions of the cervix are changes to cervical cells that make them more likely to develop into cancer. These conditions are not yet cancer. But if they aren’t treated, there is a chance that these abnormal changes may become cervical cancer.

Can abnormal cervical cells go away on their own?

They usually go away on their own and do not require treatment. CIN 2 changes are moderate and are typically treated by removing the abnormal cells. However, CIN 2 can sometimes go away on its own. Some women, after consulting with their health care provider, may decide to have a colposcopy with biopsy every 6 months.

Should I get a hysterectomy if I have precancerous cells?

Hysterectomy may be the best treatment only if it’s invasive cancer of the cervix. When the lining of the uterus grows too much, it can cause a precancerous change. This change causes irregular and/or too much bleeding. It can usually be treated with hormones.

What happens if colposcopy is positive?

You may need treatment if the results of your colposcopy show that there are abnormal cells in your cervix. The abnormal cells will be removed, which usually involves removing an area of the cervix about the size of a finger tip.

How long before precancerous cells become cancerous?

These aren’t cancer cells, but cells that may turn cancerous if left untreated for many years. It takes 10-15 years for pre-cancer to progress to cancer.