Abnormal Pap Smear Result

An abnormal Pap smear result means the detection of some abnormal cell changes on the cervix or in the cervical canal. Abnormal changes may develop due to various reasons. One of the possible reasons is an inflammation induced by trichomonase, candida, Chlamydia, or other bacteria. If the abnormal changes are triggered only by a bacterial infection, Pap smear generally reverts to normal after an adequate antibacterial treatment.

Genital infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is another cause of an abnormal Pap smear result. There exist a lot of types of HPV most of which initiate the appearance of different kinds of warts, including papillomas and condylomas. Certain types of HPV are associated with the development of cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition of the cervical cells. Women with cervical dysplasia usually require a close medical attention, because this disease increases the risk of cervical cancer. It is recommended for patients with an abnormal Pap smear result to undergo HPV testing, as it provides the possibility to determine their chances for cancer.

The management of women with abnormal Pap smear result depends on the severity of the discovered abnormalities. If cellular changes are associated with an inflammation process, doctor may prescribe to undergo another Pap smear in 3-6 months, and, if needed, receive an adequate treatment. If abnormalities are not significant, it may be recommend to repeat Pap smear in a few months, and, if the changes do not disappear, women should undergo HPV testing and colposcopy. In majority of cases of an abnormal Pap smear, treatment is not required, because the abnormalities are very likely to regress on their own.

It is also possible that the cause an abnormal Pap smear result is the presence of cervical dysplasia. In this case, an accurate diagnosis will require the realization of additional tests which can better assess cervical tissues. The most commonly used tests for this purpose are colposcopy and biopsy.

Pap smear has been used for about fifty years by gynecologists all over the world. It is an effective test to find different cervical and vaginal diseases and it is recommended for sexually active women to have this test yearly. Patients with an abnormal Pap smear result should undergo medical examinations more frequently.