About Bacteria That Can Cause Abnormal Pap Smears

When a woman's physician calls to say that a pap smear or pap test has come back abnormal, most women will experience a series of emotions including alarm, concern and fear. Since the pap test, a test in which doctors collect a sample of the cells growing around the cervix and test the bacteria levels, is one of the most effective methods of detecting cervical cancer, the news of abnormal results automatically sends up danger signs. However, not all abnormal test results indicate cancer. In particular, the vaginal region contains more than 20 different strains of bacteria, some of which can cause a pap test to come back abnormal.

Yeast

• Yeast is one of the most prevalent bacteria in a woman's vaginal region. In normal or regular levels yeast adds to the overall health of the woman. However, when yeast levels rise, due to many normal conditions such as extensive antibiotic use, a number of symptoms may occur, including itchiness and excessive discharge. According to Your Total Health, a news affiliate of NBC, yeast is one of the most common bacteria that can be disproportionate and thus cause abnormal pap tests.

Gardnerella

• According to EMedicine, a part of WebMD, gardnerella is one of the organisms that commonly causes vaginosis. It is often detected and treated in an outpatient setting. In addition to causing an abnormal pap test, gardnerella can cause gray discharge and often follows douching or IUD use.

Coccoid

• Coccoid bacteria often causes abnormal pap readings as well as inflammation or swelling of the cervix. If there is no other abnormality besides coccoid, most physicians will not administer antibiotics to treat this bacteria. However, according to Your Total Health, an antibiotic similar to those used to treat staph infection may be prescribed if the coccoid and its associated side effects are significant enough to cause the patient concern or irritation.

Leptothrix

• Leptothrix is another common bacteria found within the vagina and cervix. Generally it goes unnoticed except if the bacteria is present in levels significant enough to cause an abnormal pap smear. In addition, women with large amounts of leptothrix may notice a discharge similar to yeast. However, according to GYN OB, an online gynecology resource, leptothrix is not considered pathogenic and therefore may be safely ignored.

Lactobacilli

• Lactobacilli is a normal bacteria found within the vagina. However, when the bacteria balance changes and lactobacilli is lacking, women may receive inconclusive or abnormal pap results. In addition to the bacteria gardnerella, lactocbacilli often plays a role in the development of bacterial vaginoisis.