Abnormal pap smear

[Aerie]

I am  worried about an abnormal pap test.  I received the letter from the doctor.  They said I have abnormal/low grade cells with no sign of hpv.  They want to do a colposcopy.  I am hearing how common this is but it is still very scary when it is happening to you.  My first thought was cervical cancer.....any info would help.  Thanks

[Aerie]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words!!  I'm glad to say that I did see my doctor today for the Colposcopy.  The exam itself was really very easy and she said my cervix was very healthy and pink.  Could not understand why my pap came back abnormal.  Anyway, she took a very little piece of my cervix.  Said when she was examining me and she put the vinegar solution on my cervix, it showed no signs of any abnormalities.  So that was encouraging.  Thank you again.

[HHH,MD]

HPV is virtually the only cause of "abnormal cells" on pap smear, even if an HPV test is negative.  Don't worry about having cancer, which is an extremely rare cause of pap smear abnormalities.  Out of every 15,000 women in the US, only 1 will get cervical cancer each year.  And most of cases happen in women who never had pap smears, not in those who had paps with abnormal cells.

Follow your provider's advice about repeat pap tests or other follow-up.  If you do that, you will be 100% protected from having your abnormal cells progress to cancer.

HHH, MD

[malqahtani]

I was waiting hoping someone else would get to you first, but I think you may get overlooked.  I can't really give you to much info because I don't what low grade cells means myself.  I can say that its a good thing that it came back negative for HPV.  If you are under 25, I think it is , you can get the HPV vaccination.  If I was you I would get it.  Don't stress just relax, be normal, and calm.  The colpo that they do isn't all that bad, the vinegar stings alittle, but it's so worth it in the end to find out if there's anything awry.  I know that waiting and not knowing, and then testing, and waiting and not knowing is a stress of it's own.  But, if it is anything you have probably caught it early enough to treat it.  Good luck with everything.  I hope it turns out as nothing.  Sorry I couldn't give you more.