I am nineteen years old and just received news that my pap smear showed abnormal results of mild dysplasia what happens next followup approach should i take?

What is mild dysplasia?

Mild dysplasia is a condition in which the cells in the cervix have begun to change in appearance. These changes are often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. Mild dysplasia is not cancer, but it can lead to cancer if it is not treated.

What happens next?

If your pap smear shows abnormal results of mild dysplasia, your doctor will likely recommend a follow-up appointment in 6-12 months. At this appointment, you will have another pap smear and a colposcopy. A colposcopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses a special microscope to examine the cervix and vagina. If any abnormal tissue is found, your doctor may biopsy it. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. If the biopsy results show cancer, your doctor will recommend treatment.

What are some steps you can take in the meantime?

While you are waiting for your follow-up appointment, you can take some steps to help reduce your risk of developing cancer:

* Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have sex. This will help to protect you from HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.

* Get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from HPV. If you are not vaccinated, talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine.

* See your doctor regularly for pap smears. This is the best way to detect cervical cancer and precancerous conditions early, when they are most easily treated.

Talk to your doctor

If you have any questions or concerns about your abnormal pap smear results, be sure to talk to your doctor.