What Happens If I Have an Abnormal Pap Smear?

An abnormal Pap smear result can be alarming, but it doesn’t always mean cancer. Understanding what an abnormal result might indicate and the importance of follow-up testing can help you feel more prepared about what happens next.

A Pap smear is a routine screening test to detect cervical cancer or precancerous changes in your cervical cells. The test itself is simple — your healthcare provider collects cells from your cervix and analyzes them for abnormalities.

But what happens if your Pap smear results come back abnormal? While it’s natural to feel concerned, an abnormal result doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Instead, it indicates the need for further investigation to understand the cause of the abnormality.

That’s where Path MD Labs comes in. We offer advanced molecular testing and women’s health pathology in Los Angeles, California. If you had an abnormal Pap smear, here’s what you need to know about what happens next.

Understanding what Pap smears test for

A Pap smear checks for abnormal changes in the cells of your cervix, the lower part of your uterus. These abnormal changes, if left untreated, could develop into cervical cancer over time, and the goal of a Pap smear is to detect the changes before cancer develops.

The test specifically looks for precancerous cells, abnormal cells that could potentially become cancer if they continue to develop. It also checks for the presence of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection, and certain high-risk strains of the virus can cause cervical cancer.

What abnormal Pap smear results might mean

If your Pap smear results come back abnormal, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer. There are several possible reasons for abnormal results, and many don’t seriously threaten your health.

Some common reasons for abnormal Pap results are:

HPV infection
Inflammation
Benign (non-cancerous) changes
Precancerous changes

One of the most common reasons for abnormal results is the presence of high-risk HPV strains. While HPV can cause cervical cancer, many women with HPV never develop cancer, especially when monitored carefully.

Sometimes, inflammation caused by infections (like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections) can result in abnormal findings. Hormonal changes, especially in postmenopausal women, can also cause benign abnormal results without indicating any serious health issues.

Next steps after an abnormal Pap smear

If your Pap smear result is abnormal, your healthcare provider will likely recommend additional testing. Colposcopy, biopsy, molecular testing, and other tests aim to better understand the cause of the abnormal cells and whether treatment is necessary.

Colposcopy is a closer examination of your cervix using a special magnifying device to examine any abnormal areas. In a biopsy, your provider takes a small sample of tissue from your cervix for further examination.

In more complex cases, your doctor may recommend advanced molecular testing to look for HPV strains, other infections, or even specific genetic markers for a more accurate diagnosis.

How PathMD Labs can help

We offer comprehensive diagnostic services for follow-up testing after an abnormal Pap smear. We specialize in cutting-edge testing options for various conditions and use advanced diagnostic tools to better inform your treatment plan.

Molecular tests for conditions like trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, and candida vaginitis can help determine if an infection is the source of abnormal results. We also offer molecular testing that targets up to 34 pathogens, providing a full spectrum of information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Our specialized immunohistochemistry and anatomic pathology testing can evaluate tissue samples with advanced techniques to provide your healthcare provider with a clearer understanding of any abnormal cells, and we can also identify the presence of high-risk HPV strains that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer.

There’s no doubt that an abnormal Pap smear result can be concerning, but it is important to keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Further testing can help keep your health on track, and PathMD provides comprehensive diagnostic tools to support your care. Call us at 424-245-7284 or send us a message online to learn more.