Typical Reasons for Atypical Results from Your Pap Smear
Feminine reproductive health is not merely about ensuring that your reproductive system is capable of conceiving and sustaining a pregnancy. In essence, your visits to your gynaecologist should primarily be for ensuring that your body is in good health, which then illuminates other aspects that could be of concern such as infertility, tumours and so on. And one critical comprehensive test that all women should take at least on an annual basis is a Pap smear.
The main aim of the Pap smear is to check for the existence of abnormal cells in your cervix. You may be hoping for a clear test, but in some cases, the Pap smear may turn out abnormal, but this does not automatically mean that your health is in danger. Read on for a few of the typical reasons for atypical results from your Pap smear.
Inflammation in your reproductive system
Pap smears are carried out for the detection of squamous cells and other abnormal mutations of your cells. However, the presence of squamous cells is not necessarily an indication of a health problem. It is not unusual for gynaecologists to find an increased number of squamous cells that of not have any significance in your reproductive system. In fact, most times when this occurs, it could be due to inflammation and that is what makes the results of the Pap smear abnormal. You should also note that inflammation could be caused by a broad range of things.
For instance, some women may develop inflammation due to irritation from a specific kind of condoms or perhaps due to having intercourse a few hours prior to the Pap smear. On the other hand, bacterial vaginosis or having a yeast infection will also cause inflammation that will influence the results of the Pap smear. Depending on the cause of the inflammation and subsequent results, your gynaecologist will advise you on the way forward.
Presence of the human papillomavirus
Sexually transmitted diseases can be incredibly hazardous to your overall health. Nonetheless, there are some sexually transmitted diseases that can prove harmless in some people and harmful to others. One of the most commonly transmitted sexual disease is the human papillomavirus. Since it is an STD, it is something every woman should be tested for regularly once they are sexually active. In typical cases, human papillomavirus will clear away without the need for medical intervention.
But there are strains of this virus that can gradually transform into a kind of cancer. In most cases, it develops into cervical cancer. If the results of your Pap smear are abnormal, it could simply mean that you have HPV or it could be indicative of something more serious. Either way, your gynaecologist will carry out additional tests to establish if you will need subsequent treatment.