Abnormal Pap smear while pregnant would be a common medical term that you might hear in medical circles. Most women are encouraged to get their pap smear done by the time they touch 21 years or within 3 years of becoming sexually active. They are not diagnostic tests, but mere screening tests to check out any abnormal cells in the cervix. The moment have pap smear tests on a regular basis they increase the chances of early detection and treatment of the same. This would prevent any major problems flaring up.
Abnormal pap during pregnancy common might seem, but when diagnosed with the disorder it might send shivers down your spine. It does point to the occurrence of infection cells. Take note of the fact that when you are having abnormal cells it in no way points that you are suffering from cancer. It means that further round of testing may be called for to detect any potential problems. An abnormal pap smear could point to an infection or inflammation as well.
If a positive result emerges it means presence of abnormal cells meaning an abnormal pap. Once again remember that it is a test and not a diagnosis. The positive result would no way point that you are a victim of cancer. In the round of further tests you might have a colposcopy where with a microscope you look into the cervix. Then there is a biopsy where you go on to remove a small portion of the tissue from the cervix. Then the doctor is going to discuss the test results with you.
1 among 10 tests would indicate some form of abnormality, though in most cases it is not serious. Additional round of testing may be called for to check whether you have inflammation or any form of infection or occurrence of a HPV virus.
One of the main causes of cervical cancer is HPV virus, but women who do on to receive treatment for abnormal cells that are caused by HPV also go on to develop cervical cancer.
In the year FDA went on to approve a screening test that could be done with a Pap smear test to find out more about HPV. This goes on to detect any abnormal cells in the cervix. This screening test is suggested for women who are above the age of 30 years who are at an increased risk of contracting HPV virus. There are some pap smears that indicate an unsatisfactory sample because of recent sexual activity or due to the use of vaginal creams or douches. Whatever is the reason you might require another Pap smear test in order to get to the details.
Once the treatment is done check-ups are essential to ensure that the abnormal cells are gone. This would make sure that the cervix has gone on to heal completely. Once the treatment is over women will be advised to figure out how soon they need to go for pap smears.