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Complete Healthcare

ABNORMAL PAP TESTS

The Pap test is a part of your annual pelvic exam. When the results come back “abnormal,” however, you may have numerous questions about what happens next. At Complete Healthcare for Women in Richland, we can help you understand what an abnormal pap test could mean and help you to plan your next steps.

Abnormal Pap Test FAQs

What is a Pap Test?

Dr. Lorenzo or Kortney Jones, ARNP, will perform a Pap Test, during your annual exam. The test takes a sample of cells from your cervix using a swab or small cytobrush, and our staff sends them off to a lab for analysis to look for abnormalities.

What is an abnormal Pap Test?

An abnormal Pap test means that some of the cells of your cervix don’t look like they should. Although the Pap test is done to screen for cervical cancer, an abnormal reading doesn’t mean you have cancer. Most of the time, an abnormal reading is due to the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease.

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As you age and approach menopause, your cervical cells change, too. Other bacterial or viral infections can cause your cervical cells to look suspicious. Smoking and immune deficiencies are other reasons for abnormal cells.

When should you worry about an abnormal Pap test?

The lab will label any abnormal cells according to their appearance and differences from normal-looking cells. Dr. Lorenzo or Kortney Jones, ARNP, will then determine the most appropriate treatment. In most cases, they will order another Pap test in 12 months, as abnormal cells often go away on their own.

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In some cases, a colposcopy may be performed, which is a test that examines the vagina and cervix more closely. Remember, abnormal test results are important to monitor and be cautious about, but they do not require panic.

How do I know if I have HPV or human papillomavirus?

You may have human papillomavirus (HPV) if you have had sexual intercourse without using a condom, had multiple sexual partners, or if your single sexual partner has had multiple partners. HPV can remain in the body for years without your knowledge, so an abnormal smear test might occur long after your initial exposure.

 

Immediate symptoms of HPV can include vaginal discharge, pain or itching in the genital area, and sores or warts around the genitals. However, in many cases, the infection does not produce any symptoms at all.

How are abnormal cervical cells treated?

How you’re treated depends on the degree of the cell changes in your cervix. You may need a treatment that removes or destroys the abnormal cells because certain kinds do have the possibility of turning cancerous.

Learn more about cervical cancer screening:

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