How to Get Rid of Abnormal Pap Smear Readings

Having a Pap test result come back as "Abnormal" can be terrifying, but the most common causes of abnormal Pap results are, in fact, quite harmless. If your Pap test has any result other than "Negative," talk to your doctor to see what you should do next. In most cases, she will have you take another Pap test within the next six months. If your Pap smear is abnormal, there are a few steps you can take to have a follow-up test come up negative.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule your Pap test appointment on a day when you are not menstruating or close to starting or finishing menstruation. Menstrual fluids can cause the appearance of abnormal cells in a Pap test.

• 2

  Do not have sex without a condom the day of or night before your exam. Seminal fluid appears as abnormal cells under a microscope.

• 3

  Do not use prophylactic foams or jellies the night before or day of a Pap smear because these can give abnormal results.

• 4

  Tell your doctor if you suspect you have a yeast infection or other minor vaginal infection. Some types of viruses and bacteria show up as abnormal cells in a Pap smear.

• 5

  Tell your doctor if you are using any medication (cream or suppository) to treat a yeast infection or other minor infection, because these treatments can also skew a Pap result.