Frequency Asked Questions

An abnormal Pap test result can mean many different things. You may have an infection that is easily treated, or this may be an early warning of a more serious problem

The Pap smear is taken from several areas of the cervix. The cervix is open to the vagina and because of this, the vagina becomes exposed to bacteria and viruses that cause infection and other damaging changes to the sensitive cervical tissue.

Abnormal Pap test results are also linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a sexually transmitted virus that is the cause of genital warts. HPV can also cause changes in cervical cells.

Other things may also increase your chances for cervical cell changes. These include infections, having sex at a young age, having many sexual partners and smoking.

If your pap test results show an HPV infection, you need to speak with your partner, HPV sometimes causes no symptoms for months or even years. Your partner may be infected and not know it. If you are a smoker, try to quit. Limit your number of sexual partners and use condoms regularly during sex. Make sure that you have annual pap tests to catch any changes early before they can become a problem.

Inflammation: There are many causes for inflammation, they include herpes outbreaks, yeast or bacterial infections. Cellular changes from inflammation are not normal but they are most often harmless. Antibiotic medications may be prescribed for you along with a follow up exam and repeat Pap test.

Mild Dysplasia: These are cells on the surface of the cervix that are abnormal. When these are reported further testing is required to find out why the cells are abnormal. A Colposcopy is usually done to find these abnormal cells and remove them.

Moderate to Severe Dysplasia: This term implies that there is abnormal tissue involved as well as just the surface cells. As with mild dysplasia, further testing is done and usually treatment or surgical treatment is prescribed to destroy these cells or remove them before they can become cancerous.

Cancer: Cancer occurs when abnormal cells spread from the surface into deeper parts of the cervix and or beyond the cervix.