Abnormal Pap Smear Specialist

What is a Pap smear?

Dr. Lorenzo performs a Pap smear, or Pap test, during your annual exam. The doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix using a swab or small cytobrush and sends them off to a lab for analysis to look for abnormalities.

What is an abnormal Pap smear?

An abnormal Pap smear means that some of the cells of your cervix don’t look like they should. Although the Pap smear is done to screen for cervical cancer, an abnormal reading doesn’t mean you have cancer. Most of the time, an abnormal reading is due to the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease.

As you age and approach menopause, your cervical cells change, too. Other types of bacterial or viral infections can cause your cervical cells to look suspicious. Smoking and immune deficiencies are other reasons for abnormal cells.

When should you worry about an abnormal smear?

The lab will label any abnormal cells according to their appearance and difference from normal-looking cells. Dr. Lorenzo will then determine the most appropriate treatment. In most cases, he’ll order another Pap test in a few months, as abnormal cells often go away on their own.

In some cases, he’ll order a colposcopy, which is a test that examines the vagina and cervix in a more in-depth manner. Remember, abnormal tests are something to watch and be prudent about -- but don’t warrant a panic.

How do I know if I have human papillomavirus?

You may have human papillomavirus or HPV, if you’ve had sexual intercourse without a condom, had multiple sexual partners, or your singular sexual partner has had multiple partners. HPV lingers in the body for years without your knowledge, so an abnormal smear might occur quite a while after your exposure.

Immediate symptoms of HPV include a vaginal discharge, pain or itching in your genital area, and sores or warts around your genitals. But oftentimes the infection produces no symptoms at all.

How are abnormal cervical cells treated?

How you’re treated depends on the degree of the cell changes in your cervix. You may need a treatment that removes or destroys the abnormal cells because certain kinds do have the possibility of turning cancerous.