When You Receive Irregular PAP Test Results
An examination of a woman’s cervix smear is a routine gynaecological examination. There are more than one reason for irregular PAP test results.
The changes of cervix cells don’t always mean cancer. (jlp)
What is a PAP test and when is it abnormal?
During a PAP test, some cells are taken from the surface of the cervix. They send these cells for a more thorough analysis to a laboratory, where they can discover any cell changes which may lead to cancerous growths more easily. Usually, the smear is a routine part of a gynaecological examination. When your gynaecologist tells you that the results of your smear are unusual or abnormal, that means there are some changes in the cells of the cervix. Irregular PAP, of course, doesn’t mean that you are necessarily inflicted with cancer, as the chances of that happening are fairly slim.
A smear is a routine part of a gynaecological examination. (jlp)
What causes irregular PAP test results?
Most often, the cells of the cervix change due to the influence of the 
human papilloma virus. HPV is a fairly common sexual disease, present both in men and women. Often, these changes cure themselves on their own, but in some cases they may lead to uterine cancer. The symptoms of a HPV infection can be exhibited by the formation of genital warts. Sometimes the cells of the cervix also change because of bacterial or yeast infections. These types of changes and deviations shown in an irregular PAP test results can be treated with different kinds of therapies in a relatively painless way. Women after menopause can have irregular PAP results due to the natural ageing process.
The chances of cancer are very slim. (jlp)
What increases the chances of irregular PAP test results?
A considerable factor when it comes to affecting cells of the cervix is having unprotected sexual relations, which means sexual relations without a condom with more than one person or someone who has multiple partners. The chances of becoming infected with the human papilloma virus become greater. The virus can remain in the body for several years without the host knowing it. So, if you have only one partner at the moment, with whom you have safe sex, you can get irregular PAP tests results if you have ever been exposed to a HPV infection in the past. The change of cervix cells can also be affected by smoking or a weakened immune system.
PAP tests are often abnormal with women after their menopause. (jlp)
What are the signs of changed cervix cells?
The change of cervix cells or HPV don’t cause any noticeable symptoms. When the cause of the irregular PAP test results is in a sexually transmitted disease or an infection, the symptoms are most often shown in the form of vaginal excretion. The latter can become visibly different, whether in the amount, color, odor or density. Common symptoms are also itching and a burning sensation in the vaginal opening. On the surface of the vagina we can see - as symptoms of changed cells - a swelling, blisters, rashes or warts.
Often, the cause of irregular PAP test results lies in unprotected intercourse. (jlp)
What follows an abnormal PAP test diagnosis?
When you get irregular PAP test results, you have to take some additional examinations first in order to determine how serious are the cell changes of the cervix. One of these is a colposcopy, or an examination of the vagina and the cervix, where they use a special magnifying optical device. A colposcopy is usually performed before there’s any treatment done on the cells. During the examination itself, the doctor takes a tissue sample of the cervix, so she or he can examine that under the microscope as well. This procedure is called a biopsy. A HPV test is performed on a sample of cells taken from the cervix. There is a chance that the gynaecologist will refer you to another PAP test in 4 to 6 months. The treatment will depend on whether the changes in the cells are mild, moderate or considerable. With bigger deformations, the damaged tissue is sometimes destroyed or removed.
