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What Are the Causes of Dysplasia?

Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition in the inner lining of the cervix. Dysplasia can be found through a Pap smear or a cervical biopsy, says Dr. Melissa Condrad Stoppler, an anatomic pathologist. Dysplasia may have several causes.

  1. Infection

    • Cervical dysplasia is caused by the human papillomavirus. There are many types of HPV, but only a few are found in a woman’s reproductive tract.

    Advancing Age

    • Dysplasia is not fully understood by doctors, Stoppler says. However, some physicians believe that advancing in age is a factor that causes cervical dysplasia in women.

    Infection

    • The duration of an HPV infection may also play a role in the developing of dysplasia. The longer you have HPV, the more likely you are to have precancerous cells.

    High-Risk HPV

    • There are two types of HPV that are considered to be high-risk infections that cause dysplasia. These types of HPV are the HPV-16 and HPV-18.

    Smoking

    • If you have HPV, smoking may contribute to the formation of precancerous cells. Any other action that suppresses the immune system may also contribute to dysplasia.

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