Getting a Pap smear can be an anxiety-inducing experience for many women. However, regular Pap smears are an essential part of maintaining good reproductive health and detecting potential health problems early on.
Dr. Lillian Schapiro and the rest of the women’s health team, including Tiffany Morgan, WHNP, and Olivia Taylor, WHNP, here at Ideal Gynecology want patients to know that it's perfectly normal to feel worried if you receive an abnormal Pap smear result. However, it may ease your mind to know that an abnormal Pap smear doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. In fact, many non-cancerous conditions can cause abnormal cells to appear on a Pap smear.
So, if you do receive an abnormal result, don't panic just yet.
A Pap smear is a screening test used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The test involves collecting cells from the cervix with a small brush or spatula and sending them to a laboratory for analysis.
An abnormal Pap smear means that there are abnormal cells in your cervix. However, receiving an abnormal result doesn’t mean you have cancer. In fact, most abnormal Pap smear results are caused by non-cancerous conditions.
Several things can cause an abnormal Pap smear result, such as:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause changes to the cells in the cervix. HPV is the most common reason for receiving an abnormal Pap smear result. In most cases, the body's immune system can clear the virus on its own, but in some cases, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. That’s why getting regular Pap smears is vital. Pap smears can detect abnormal changes before they have a chance to turn into cancer.
Inflammation or irritation in the cervix can cause abnormal cells to appear on a Pap smear. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as using certain products or contraceptives, or having an allergic reaction to products or materials.
Certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, can cause an abnormal Pap smear. These infections can cause inflammation and irritation in the cervix, leading to abnormal cell growth.
Changes in hormone levels during menopause can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can be seen on a Pap smear, but they are usually not cancerous.
Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition that can cause abnormal cells to appear on a Pap smear. This condition is caused by the human papillomavirus and can increase the risk of cervical cancer if left untreated.
If you receive an abnormal Pap smear result, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider. Your provider will likely recommend further testing or a repeat Pap smear to determine the cause of the abnormal cells.
Depending on the severity of the abnormal cells, your provider may also recommend a colposcopy, which is a procedure that allows your provider to examine your cervix more closely.
It's important to remember that most abnormal Pap smear results are not cancer and can be easily treated. Even if you do receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer, early detection and treatment can greatly improve your chances of recovery.
Although there's no surefire way to prevent abnormal Pap smear results, you can take steps to reduce your risk.
Using condoms during sexual activity can reduce your risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. The HPV vaccine can greatly reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer.
US health officials have expanded the age range for getting the HPV vaccine. It’s now recommended for children and adults ages 9-45 years old.
Regular Pap smears can help detect abnormal cells early, when they are most treatable. Your healthcare provider can recommend how often you should have a Pap smear based on your age and other factors.
An abnormal Pap smear can be scary, but it's important to remember that it doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. Follow up with your healthcare provider, and take any necessary steps to determine the cause and receive treatment if needed.
For all your women’s health needs, contact the team, Lillian Schapiro, MD, FACOG, Tiffany Morgan, WHNP, Clara Jones, FNP, Kathryn Garren, WHNP, and Olivia Taylor, WHNP, at Ideal Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia, to schedule an in-person or telehealth visit.
