Why do I keep having abnormal pap smears?

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.

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

When should I be worried about an abnormal Pap smear?

If the answer is “more than three years,” it's time to call our office and schedule an exam. At Physicians for Women, we use the ThinPrep Pap Test, which is the most effective and widely used test available and has been proven to increase early detection of precancerous cells.

Is it common for a Pap smear to be abnormal?

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 happens if you have two abnormal Pap smears?

What Happens After an Abnormal Pap Test? If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. If you're told that you need a colposcopy, don't panic, says Coleman.

Abnormal Pap Smear: What Does It Mean?

How can I get rid of an abnormal Pap smear?

What happens if your smear test comes back abnormal?

An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer. The cells often go back to normal by themselves. But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop into cancer in the future.

Can a yeast infection cause a Pap smear to be abnormal?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , yeast infections can lead to an abnormal Pap smear finding called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap smear result.

Do abnormal cells go away?

Treatments that destroy abnormal cells are called ablative treatments: Cryotherapy: A special cold probe is used to destroy abnormal tissue by freezing it. This procedure is done in your health care provider's office. It takes only a few minutes and usually does not require anesthesia.

Can you get rid of HPV?

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause: Genital warts can go away with treatment from your healthcare provider or with prescription medicine. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.

What are the symptoms of HPV in females?

How often are colposcopy results normal?

About 4 in 10 colposcopy results are normal. This means no cell changes (abnormal cells) were found in your cervix during colposcopy or biopsy. You can have a normal colposcopy result even if you had an abnormal cervical screening result.

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.

Can a hormonal imbalance cause an abnormal Pap smear?

But sometimes, a health issue that's unrelated to cancer can also cause abnormal Pap results. These include: Hormonal changes from pregnancy or menopause.

How often should you get a Pap smear if you have abnormal cells?

Most women clear it once they are in their 30s. Once we confirm that the virus is not present, that patient can extend the duration between her Pap smears even further, to every five years (though she should still have an annual gynecological exam).

Why does HPV keep coming back?

There's no guarantee that genital warts won't grow back again because HPV changes the cells of your body in a way that makes them likely to grow. If you have high-risk HPV that sticks around or goes dormant and keeps coming back, that's when it becomes cancer causing (or what doctors call oncogenic).

Should I get a hysterectomy if I have precancerous cells?

If the precancerous disease is more extensive or involves adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and the woman has completed childbearing, a total hysterectomy may be recommended. During a total hysterectomy, the entire uterus (including the cervix) is removed.

Can low estrogen cause abnormal Pap smear?

After menopause a woman's estrogen levels decrease to very low levels. The vaginal tissues are affected by estrogen. Thinning of the tissues can make the cells appear abnormal on a Pap.

Does BV show up on Pap smear?

The positive predictive value of Pap smear to diagnose BV was 56.5% (CI – 47.8%–64.9%), and the negative predictive value was 71.2% (CI – 61.8%–79.4%).

Can you get abnormal cells without HPV?

If you don't have HPV, it is highly unlikely that you will have any abnormal cervical cells. Even if you did, it would be extremely unlikely that they would cause a problem. You will simply be called back for screening again in 3 - 5 years' time (depending on your age).

Do you have HPV for life?

Depending on the type of HPV that you have, the virus can linger in your body for years. In most cases, your body can produce antibodies against the virus and clear the virus within one to two years. Most strains of HPV go away permanently without treatment.

Will I always test positive for HPV?

People often never know they have caught it or passed it on. “HPV could've been there for years before it shows up, if it ever does,” says Ramondetta. When talking to your partner about your diagnosis, remember 80% of people will have HPV at some point in their life.

How do I get rid of chronic HPV?

How painful is a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is nearly pain-free. You might feel pressure when the speculum goes in. It might also sting or burn a little when they wash your cervix with the vinegar-like solution. If you get a biopsy, you might have some discomfort.

How long does it take to clear an abnormal Pap?

You should expect to experience some virginal bleeding or discharge immediately for about four weeks after treating abnormal cervical cells. Typically, vaginal bleeding or discharge after treatment of abnormal pap smears is normal but how long it should last depends on the treatment method.