What Are Some Symptoms of Abnormal Cells in Pap Smears?

Starting from the age of 21 or within 3 years of engaging in sexual activity, a woman should receive yearly pap smears. The result will show if you have abnormal cells.

Abnormal Pap Smear

• Abnormal cells are referred to as dysplasia and are the result of an infection. Dysplasia is a pre-cancerous condition. Women panic when they hear that their pap smear detected abnormal cells. Keep in mind that abnormal cells do not indicate that you have cancer.

Signs

• Signs indicating abnormal cells are: herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), inflammation, trichomoniasis and dysplasia.

Testing

• When a pap smear shows abnormal cells, further testing is done to pinpoint the source. Your health official will check for infection, herpes, yeast infection, trichomoniasis or HPV.

More Causes

• Abnormal cells can also be the result of douching, recent sexual activity or vaginal creams. If you have an abnormal pap smear, it is advisable to retest a few months later.

Treatment

• If your pap smear repeatedly results in abnormal cells, your physician may suggest the following: Colposcopy--via a speculum, a sample of the abnormal area is taken for diagnosis; Cryosurgery--this involves freezing the abnormal cells; or LEEP--in which a loop-shaped tool is used to remove the affected cells.