Sign up for Abnormal Pap and HPV
Approximately one in seven pap smears are abnormal. While most of the time an abnormal pap smear indicates a minor porblem with the cervix and only requires a close monitoring.
Finding out that your pap smear is abnormal can be a frightening experience. Approximately on in seven pap smears are abnormal. The vast majority of these require no intervention other than close monitoring. If your pap is abnormal, your doctor is likely schedule a colposcopy to further assess the cervix under magnification. Biopsies of the cervix are taken to rule out any significant dysplasia or precancerous change. This procedure causes minimal pain and you can return to normal activities right away. If mild dysplasia is noted, you will simply be followed with frequent pap smears for two years. If moderate or severe dysplasia is noted, your doctor may recommend the LEEP procedure in which a larger segment of the cervix is excised to remove the dysplasia.
Most abnormal paps are caused by a very common virus called human papilloma virus Most strains of the virus cause no effect; however some strains may cause warts, cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. HPV is first introduced into the genital tract with sexual intercourse and therefore all sexually active women should be screened with the Pap smear for cervical cancer.
Website Design