Cause of Abnormal Pap Smear

Various conditions can be the cause of abnormal Pap smear. Sexually transmitted infections, precancerous conditions, vaginal medication use, intercourse and other factors can be responsible for abnormal changes in the cervical squamous cells. Due to this fact, women with an abnormal Pap smear result should undergo a close examination in order to identify the reason of cervical abnormalities.

It may happen that the abnormalities of the cervical cells are not linked to any pathological condition and the cause of abnormal Pap smear can not be clearly identified. In this case the pathologist diagnoses atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (result ASCUS). This condition may occur if the woman has not observed certain rules before having Pap smear such as to avoid sexual relations, vaginal douching, vaginal use of medications or tampons, and others. Sometimes, however, atypical cells of undetermined significance are the first sign of cervical dysplasia or other cervical diseases.

A frequent cause of abnormal Pap smear is the presence of a genital infection caused by viruses or harmful bacteria. Viral and bacterial infections of genital organs may be accompanied by unusual vaginal bleeding or discharges, discomfort in the genital organs, warts and blisters, and other symptoms. Some viral infections like HPV infection may develop without obvious symptoms, but they can initiate serious diseases such as severe dysplasia or cancer of genital organs.

The cause of abnormal Pap smear can be identified with the help of various procedures and tests; Pap smear does not provide an exact diagnosis of a disease. Heath care providers may resort to examination of the cervix with special lighted device (colposcopy), histological evaluation of tissue taken from the cervix (biopsy), tests for sexually transmitted diseases. Only a specialist can define what test should be used in each case. It is also possible that the doctor will prescribe only repeated Pap smears without additional diagnostic procedures.

The treatment and the management of patients depend directly on the cause of abnormal Pap smear. In majority of cases, Pap smear results come back normal in a few months without any treatment. But it is also possible that the cause of abnormal Pap smear is the presence of severe lesions and the patient needs to receive an immediate treatment.