abnormal pap test

[kitty1]

Hello ladies.
I had a pap test that came abnormal. I will have to see a gyno in a month for further tests.  Does this mean I have hpv or some sort of cancer?  I am freaking out.

[ACinKC]

Well  being that the wifey and I just went through this I will chime in.

It's most likely nothing.  They will go back in and check it out again in 30 days.  My wife had the same thing happen.  95% of the time a small surgical (read that as a laser) will take care of the abnormal cells.  But you arent even there yet, so try not to freak. 

[RapidRod]

Kitty, I have two sisters and five nieces and at least one or two of them will get an abnormal pap smear. Don't fret about it. Just go in and be examined again. 99.9% of the time it is nothing. Usually you get your pap smear results on a Friday and worry about it all weekend, how did you get your results during the week?

[Ann]

Hi Kitty,

I've had PAPs come back abnormal in the past, but they've always (touch wood) been false alarms so far. The doc might order a colposcopy as well as a second PAP for follow up. The colposcopy is where they have a microscope type thing they look at your cervix with, as part of the whole exam. You don't have to be put out for this or anything, the lens of the scope is placed between the handles of the speculum. Not the most glamorous exam you'll ever have, but aside from having that damn speculum inside you for a few minutes longer, it's a breeze.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Ann

[RapidRod]

Oh Ann, I've had bad nightmares of that. Falling in that deep hole of no return. Just screwing with you kitty. 

[Ann]

Oh Ann, I've had bad nightmares of that. Falling in that deep hole of no return. Just screwing with you kitty. 

My dear Rodney,

May you experience the joys of a speculum-assisted examination sometime soon!

Best wishes,
Ann

[Queen Tokelove]

LMAO@ Ann and Rod....Silly rabbits.

Kitty,

I have never gotten an abnormal pap smear. Hell, if 2 men can chime in on this thread then I would say your odds are pretty good that everything will be alright... I'm sure things will work out just fine. And if you gotta get that procedure Ann was speaking about don't sweat it, it will be a cakewalk. Keep us posted.

[Christine]

Hi kitty,
I have a few abnormal pap smears. Usually it is a low grade dysplasia which if left alone (meaning you ignore it, and stop having pap smears) it could progress to cancer.

My experience, is that the doctor calls with the abnormal result. I go back in, and he does a scraping or a biopsy (which doesn't hurt) and then they send that to the lab. It has also happened that the doctor will see an odd spot while doing the pelvic exam, and they do the biopsy the same day.

Depending on the results of the biopsy, and if needed, the doctor could do a LEAP procedure. Which is a laser used to cut out the affected cells in the cervix. I've had it done and again, that did not hurt either. Just a little cramping and bleeding later in the day, similar to a light period.

The other times, it was a low grade dysplasia which he just checks again in 6 months. This has been going on for close to 10 years.

I have had a friend who had some of her cells frozen, and some cut out in a outpatient procedure because her biopsy results were further advanced, but not yet cancer. There are a few stages of dysplasia.

So don't worry. Important thing is to address it now, don't let it go, or let your anxiety and fear put it off.

Christine

[DanKenny]

Hi Kitty,

Certainly, I've had my share of pap smears --- well not really.  But have taken a sister, and Ex to the exam, and my very first serious job involved writing about low rates of follow-up to abnormal pap smear results....I ended up learning so much about pap smears...

so, the bottom line: don't fret about the result at this stage.  As other posters have pointed out, it usually is just a minimal abnormality, that will quickly be resolved by further examination.  Be vigilant about it, and get regular check-ups.

Take care...rgds, DK

[poodlelover]

I have been down this road.  More than likely they will do a re-peat papsmear and if it is abnormal you will have the cervical Bx to determine exactly what it is.  Depending on the severity of the bx (biospsy) you may or may not have to have cryotherpay which is freezing of the cervix and bad cells.  After the cryotherapy you go back in for a pap about 2 months later to make sure it worked, then again in 6 months and back to once a year after that as long as you do not have any further abnormal paps.  I went thru this twice and ended up having a hysterectomy in 98.  Honestly, it's the best surgery i ever had.  Everything has been fine since the hysterectomy.

edited to add:  if it comes down to cryotherapy and even that doesn't work and you want to opt to have children they can then do what is called a leep procedure to remove deeper tissue.  My 25 year old daughter has been thru this procedure as well and the next step will be a d & c if this didn't get rid of it.  I'm not telling you all this to scare you just to educate you in case these problems arise. 

[tsw923]

Hey, I've had an abnormal pap before.  I ended up having a biopsy and the 'freezy thing' (I love technical jargon  ) done.  It was all outpatient.  Then I just had to get checkups 2xs a year.  You will be well!  I will put in a good word for you with the Big Guy...


Ty

[northernguy]

Pap tests, womanly yes, but I get one too! (with apologies to those old Irish Spring commercials)

In the brave new world of male pap tests mine came back abnormal.  Due to having HPV, doc is just monitoring for now.