what does it mean when your pap smear comes back as abnormal?

Question

I had a pap smear almost a month ago, and they just let me know that it came back as abnormal and i should go back in 6 months instead of 12... she said something about HPV, but didn't explain anything. Am i at Risk for anything since it came back abnormal?

Answer 1

My mom test these cells for a living (pap smear). When you
have an abnormal pap smear you have Abnormal Cells. Today the cause is almost always HPV. That's why they have a new vaccine to prevent young girls from getting it. Most sexually active girls now have some form of HPV. You will be tested for high risk or low risk. HPV also has many different strands. Most strands do not cause any symptoms, but still can cause pre-cancerous cells. Ask your doctor how your HPV test came back. They might have to do a biopsy to go in and take a sample of the cells affected. Than you will have to go 2 times a year until the cells have become normal again. This could take up to 2 years to clear up. Most people don't understand this but HPV is transferred from sex. Be careful, and this virus might be able to go through condoms studies suggest but use one always to be safe. If you are not planning on marrying you current partner I would look into the vaccine so you do not get it again or another strand from someone else. I would not worry yourself sick over it, most cases it will clear up. Also ask the doctor to explain it to you, a lot do not explain it to you because they do not want to worry you, because the word "STD" freaks most people out. Also, please continue reqular check ups so that you can rule out cancer.

Answer 2

Yes I had this happen to me and I had to have a biopsy called a colposcopy and it was very painful for me. They have to scrape off the abnormal cells from your cervix and I cried through the whole thing. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's the truth. They do numb your cervix, but it's so painful that you can still feel some of it. It doesn't take long to do so it's over very quickly. They then send the abnormal cells to the lab to make sure it's not cancer. I had what they called low grade dysplaysia, which is not cancerous. Try not to worry because lots of woman have to go through this and it's very common. Most of the time it's nothing to worry about and you just have some abnormal cells because things in your body change. If they find it's nothing, then they will just make you come back 6 months later for another pap smear and see if it comes up abnormal again. I actually am due to go back for re take of my pap because it came up abnormal again last time so I'm kind of nervous myself and hopefully this time it will be normal so I don't have to go through the biopsy again. Good luck to you and hopefully everything will turn out ok.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what does it mean when your pap smear comes back as abnormal?
I had a pap smear almost a month ago, and they just let me know that it came back as abnormal and i should go back in 6 months instead of 12... she said something about HPV, but didn't explain anything. Am i at Risk for anything since it came back abnormal?

Answer 4

I had an abnormal pap and also had to go back and then go back again for a biopsy. What happend was my pre cancerous cells activated on my cervix, but I caught it in enough time to get it removed. Not to make you more scared or nervous than you are, there could and could NOT be a chance. Maybe something isn't acting the way it should be....

Answer 5

There are many levels of abnormal. As they are suggested you come back in 6 months they are concerned but not extremely worried. It sounds like you may have HPV, which can cause changes in the cervical cells. However many women have HPV and do not get cancer.
Try not to worry. But dont miss that 6 month check either. If things look ok, they may check you more frequently for awhile just to keep an eye on things. If there are more changes, they will likely schedule you for a colposcopy to determine the level of changes and any further treatment.

Answer 6

A PAP smear is a test for cervical cancer and its precursors. If you are infected with HPV you are at increased risk of both abnormal smears and, ultimately, cervical cancer. Apparently, with your abnormal reading, your doctor has opted for a "watchful waiting" approach. Thus you are to have the test more often than others who do not have abnormal readings. Talk with your doctor for a fuller explanation.

Answer 7

I had one abnormal pap and was sent for a cervical biopsy,don't wait 6 months for another pap ask for a biopsy. Cervical cancer can spread very fast. Not to scare you,but my M.D. said if it comes back abnormal they suggest a biopsy no matter how abnormal it is. It's your health don't let the M.D.s tell you what to do.

Answer 8

women often show abnormal cells, as a rule, it doesn't mean anything, but to be safe they re-check the pap in six months. Don't waste time worrying about it, just get it re-checked and it will likely be just fine.