What Does an Abnormal Pap Smear Test Mean?

The pap smear is a test that was developed in the early 1900s by a Grecian physician named Dr. George Papanicolaou, who discovered the tendency of cervical cells to show cancerous attributes. The pap smear test is performed by using a cotton swab or spatula-like instrument to remove a small number of cells from the cervix.

Abnormal Pap Smears: Statistics

More than two million women in the United States experience an abnormal pap smear result each year. Of the approximately 55,000 pap tests performed on American women annually, just six percent require any additional testing due to an abnormal result. The primary concern for most women, of course, is that an abnormal pap smear may indicate cervical cancer. While cancer is relatively rare, it's important to get a pap smear every three years and to go through with any recommended follow-up testing.

Abnormal Pap Smears: Causes and Risk Factors

The National Cancer Institute attributes some abnormal pap smears to the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a risk factor for cervical cancer, however most women with HPV remain cancer free.

Bacterial infections as well as yeast, herpes and recent sexual relations can cause abnormal pap smear test results, according to the American Pregnancy Association. In addition, if you suffer from endometriosis you may also have an abnormal pap result due to uterine cells migrating to the cervix.

Aging may also cause the cervix to undergo changes which can cause an abnormal pap smear. This is particularly common in menopausal women.

Abnormal Pap Smears: Recommendations

If you do have an abnormal pap smear result, your doctor will probably recommend a follow-up procedure to make sure that there are no problems. Many times an abnormal pap smear will be followed simply by a repeat pap smear. Depending on your risk factors and health history your doctor may recommend a more comprehensive test if you have an abnormal pap smear.

Cervical biopsy is a procedure by which a tissue sample is taken from the cervix and tested for cancerous cells. Another test recommended by the NCI following an abnormal pap smear is LEEP - loop excision electrosurgical procedure. The LEEP not only takes a sample of the cervical tissue but also removes abnormal cells. Colposcopy may also be recommended if you have an abnormal pap smear result. During this test, the doctor uses a colposcope to view the cervix up close.

Abnormal Pap Smears: How Often to Test?

If you have had an abnormal pap smear in the previous three years, your doctor will probably recommend continued frequent testing, at least annually. If you go three years without an abnormal pap smear you can talk to your health care provider about going up to three years between pap smears. As always, inform yourself and consult your doctor about the best plan for you.