Abnormal Pap Smear

Best Abnormal Pap Smear Treatment in Koramangala, Bangalore

A Pap Smear test, or simply called a Pap test, is a routine medical procedure that tests for precancerous or abnormal cell changes in a woman’s cervix. If your Pap test results are abnormal, don’t immediately jump to the conclusion that you have cancer. Abnormal results can be because of multiple reasons, and we are going to help you understand them in this article.

What do abnormal test results signify for a Pap test?

If your Pap smear test yields an abnormal result, do not panic. Often Pap tests can be inconclusive because of the wrong sample, especially if you engage in sexual intercourse or use menstrual products before your test.

If the cell sample cannot be categorized as normal, they are immediately labeled as abnormal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with you. Sometimes these tests can be inconclusive, and you should be patient till a more accurate diagnosis is available.

However, if your cervical cells have, in fact, changed, there can be several reasons other than cancer that can explain why you would get an abnormal test result. 

What are the possible causes of an abnormal cell change in your cervix?

Besides cervical cancer, an abnormal Pap test result can be the consequence of several other conditions. Some of these are:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• HPV
• Herpes
• Trichomoniasis

If you believe you have any of these conditions or want a more accurate diagnosis, you should look for an abnormal Pap smear specialist in Bangalore.

When should you see a specialist?

If your Pap smear test comes back abnormal, you should look for abnormal Pap smear doctors in Bangalore who can help identify the cause. Additionally, if you experience any of these accompanying symptoms, you should make this a priority:

• Unusual vaginal discharge 
• Itching, burning, or mild-severe pain in your genital area when you pee
• Any unusual sores, rashes, or lumps in your genital area

Note that these can be symptoms of an STD, which can also cause a Pap smear test to show abnormal results. See a doctor urgently if you have any of these symptoms.

Request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

What next if you receive abnormal test results?

The first step after receiving an abnormal Pap test result is to schedule an appointment with your doctor for further testing. Depending on your doctor’s discretion, you might be asked to get some of the following tests done:

• Colposcopy -  The doctor uses a microscope to inspect your cervix and perhaps remove a sample of abnormal cells for further testing. This is a popular test performed to detect the presence of cancerous cells in your cervix.
• HPV test - An HPV test is usually recommended alongside a Pap test, and it is called co-testing. However, if you haven’t done that, you might need to do an HPV test to detect HPV in your cervix, which is the number one cause of abnormal Pap results.  

The results of these tests will help your doctor accurately diagnose if there is anything unusual in your cervical region and, if yes, what is causing it.

Conclusion

A Pap smear test often comes back abnormal, but most women do not have cervical cancer, so there is absolutely no need to panic. Make sure you schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to get to the bottom of your results. Even if you have cancerous cells, various available treatments can help remove these cells, but early diagnosis is key.