No one wants to receive a call from their gyno explaining that they had an abnormalPap smear.
For starters, abnormal doesnt only carry a pretty negative connotation, but its also unspecific!
And what comes next after abnormal Pap smear results?
G W Willis / SCIENCE SOURCE / Getty; Graphic by Jocelyn Runice
Theres basically zero detail there.
What is a Pap smear, again?
(Your cervix is the lower end of the uterus that serves as a passageway into the vagina.)
Preventive Services Task Force.
If you receive abnormal Pap smear results, your doctor may recommend testing more frequently than that.
What does an abnormal Pap smear mean?
Since youre reading this piece, youre probably wondering what exactly an abnormal Pap smear says about your health.
First things first: Abnormal does not necessarily mean cancerous.
The majority of abnormal results look that way because of an HPV virus, she adds.
The grand majority of the time, HPV infections dont harm peoples health at all.
Since having HPV doesnt automatically lead to cancer, that means abnormal Pap smear resultsdefinitelydont automatically indicate cancer.
An abnormal Pap smear doesnt even necessarily hint at you having precancerous cells.
What can cause an abnormal Pap smear besides HPV?
This stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.
Squamous cells are naturally present on the surface of even the healthiest cervix, theMayo Clinicexplains.
Another possible abnormal Pap smear result isHSIL(high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion).
This key in of change in these glandular cells can also signal precancer and potentially cancer.
What happens after an abnormal Pap smear?
It depends on your result and how cautious you and your doctor want to be.
If youre 30 or older, that HPV test result becomes more important in determining next steps.
(Remember, HPV is more likely to clear from your body when youre under 30.)
But if youre 25 to 29 with an LSIL result, your doctor might suggest a colposcopy,ACOGsays.
What happens in a colposcopy?
A colposcopy typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes, according to theMayo Clinic.
They might apply a solution to your cervix for an even clearer picture of whats going on.
The solution makes it easier to see abnormal cells.
Its one thing to know how a colposcopy will happen.
Its another thing to know how it willfeel.
You already know the deal with speculums: They might be uncomfortable but shouldnt actually be painful.
As for the colposcopy part, the solution might cause some burning or tingling, according to theMayo Clinic.
“Some people say its irritating, but it doesn’t typically hurt,” Dr. Nevadunsky says.
This may be uncomfortable but wont necessarily be painful, according to theMayo Clinic.
After a colposcopy, you might see somespottingfor the next day or so.
You shouldnt have any of these types of restrictions after a colposcopy.
Still cant hurt to check with your doctor about that, though.
What happens after a cervical biopsy?
Like a colposcopy, it can take around 10 to 20 minutes, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
After that, your doctor might apply a paste to your cervix to help control post-LEEPbleeding.
This actually happens under general anesthesia, theU.S.
National Library of Medicinenotes.
After conization, you might deal with some cramping and other discomfort, theU.S.
What happens if they find precancer or cancer?
With good surveillance, were able to prevent precancerous lesions from becoming invasive.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, and various types of surgery, theMayo Clinicsays.
(This can allow someone with cervical cancer to possibly still get pregnant in the future.
When detected early, the prognosis and survival rate for cervical cancer is very high.
Also, talk to your doctor about getting theHPV vaccineif you havent already.
