Abnormal Pap Smear Specialist

What causes an abnormal Pap smear?

Finding out that your Pap results are abnormal can certainly be overwhelming. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer. It just shows that you have some concerning cells that may need further evaluation and removal.

In most cases, abnormal Pap smear results stem from cell changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common STD. Your Pap test could also be abnormal because of:

• Herpes
• Trichomoniasis
• Recent sexual intercourse
• Infection or inflammation

Abnormal cervical cells, known as cervical dysplasia, may be precancerous and can turn into cancer if they’re not treated. This is why it’s important to undergo further testing to examine your cells. 

What is the next step after an abnormal Pap smear?

Contemporary Women's Care provides comprehensive screenings to get to the root of your abnormal Pap results. Typically, the next step after an abnormal Pap smear is undergoing a colposcopy. 

This in-office screening involves using an external microscope to look into your vaginal canal to examine cervical cells more closely. During a colposcopy, your OB/GYN covers your cervix with a vinegar solution, which helps abnormal cells stand out. 

Your doctor can quickly see if there are additional abnormal cells. If needed, your provider can perform a biopsy on the spot and gather tissues to send to the lab for further analysis. 

Do I need treatment if I have an abnormal Pap smear?

It depends. After your colposcopy and biopsy (if needed), your OB/GYN at Contemporary Women's Care talks with you about the best solutions for your needs. If your abnormal Pap results are from an infection, for example, you may just need a course of antibiotics and then a repeat of the Pap test after several months. You may also need one of several treatments: 

LEEP 

If you have more concerning cervical cells or abnormal biopsy results, your OB/GYN could recommend a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). During a LEEP, your doctor numbs your cervix and passes a wire loop through your cervix to gently scrape away abnormal cells with a mild electrical current.

Cryotherapy

Contemporary Women's Care also provides cryotherapy treatments. Cryotherapy involves placing a cryoprobe tool at your cervix for several minutes. This specialized tool freezes and destroys abnormal cells quickly. 

You may need two cryotherapy treatments during the same visit. Cryotherapy is virtually painless and has a very high success rate. In roughly 85-90% of all cases, abnormal cells don’t return when cryotherapy is the selected form of treatment.

The team at Contemporary Women's Care can help if you have an abnormal Pap smear. Find out more by booking an evaluation either online or over the phone today.