What is An Abnormal Pap Smear?
An abnormal pap smear is a pap smear which has shown irregularities when viewed under a microscope by a laboratory technician. Abnormal pap smears are not uncommon, and many women experience at least one abnormal result over the course of their lives. There are a number of causes for an abnormal pap smear, and while the result should be addressed, it should not be viewed as a cause for immediate panic. Although the pap smear is used primarily as a screening test to pick up early signs of cervical cancer, an abnormal pap result does not necessarily mean that a woman has cancer. A number of things can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, ranging from inflammation to infection with a sexually transmitted infection. It’s important to follow up on an abnormal pap smear to find out why the result was abnormal before deciding on the next step.
