What is Mild Cervical Dysplasia and How to Prevent It

Mild Cervical Dysplasia is a precancerous condition that can be linked to HPV (Human Papillomavirus). It can lead to cervical carcinoma in situ. Although there is a very small chance of this occurring, it can occur and it is important to follow through with any treatment that the doctor may prescribe for you. Following through with treatments can mean the difference between getting an invasive cervical cancer and preventing one.

The most important thing for women to remember is to get a pap smear done as scheduled for their age and risk group. Mild Cervical Dysplasia does not give you any signs or symptoms so getting a pap smear done on schedule will allow the earliest possible detection of the problem. The only treatment your doctor may prescribe is that you get another pap smear done within six months to make sure that the Dysplasia is either gone or hasn't gotten worse.

There are actually three stages of cervical dysplasia. The mild form is the least worrisome but still has to be looked after and treated to make sure that it doesn't spread into something worse. It can take ten years from the time you get mild cervical dysplasia for it to turn into cancer. Even when the condition disappears, it can return and that means you have to make sure that you continue to get the pap smears on schedule.

Women between the ages of 25 and 35 are most likely to be diagnosed with mild cervical dysplasia. That doesn't mean that women of other ages can't be diagnosed with it, but it does mean that you are less likely to get it if you aren't in that age group. Women in this age group need to be particularly aware of the problem. There are things that you can do to prevent dysplasia from occurring in the first place. It is a lifelong commitment though. It has to begin at a very young age to prevent yourself from getting what could turn into cancer.

Preventions for mild cervical dysplasia:

Stay in a monogamous relationship- Having multiple partners raises the risk of getting cervical dysplasia.

Use condoms- Always require the use of condoms in a relationship that may not be monogamous and where both partners have not been tested for STD's/HPV.

Celibacy- Don't become sexually active at a young age and remain celibate until such a time that you are in a long-term relationship with someone.

Gardasil- Protect against HPV by getting the Gardasil shot for you and make sure your daughters have the shot at an appropriate age.

Learn to treat your body as though it were a temple. Having multiple partners or treating sexual activity as though it can't cause problems is the wrong attitude. It can cause you far more problems than you could ever imagine. Ask anyone who has been diagnosed with cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. They will tell you that it probably wasn't worth the risk. If you are going to be sexually active, take the precautions so you don't end up paying for it many years down the road.