HPV is the most common cause of abnormal pap smears, but other infections such as herpes and trichomoniasis can also have this effect. Sexual intercourse and tampon use can also affect results. In some cases, abnormal cells are treated, but it isn’t always necessary.
Infections caused by the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, commonly cause abnormal pap smears. Diseases such as herpes and trichomoniasis can also have this effect. Other reasons include common habits such as sexual intercourse and the use of tampons.
One of the most common reasons for an abnormal Pap smear is an HPV infection. This virus, which can be spread by contact, infects many women at some point in their lives. Many women are not even aware they have the virus because, in most cases, it is contracted, causes no symptoms, and eventually goes away on its own. However, the virus can affect a pap smear, because it can cause changes to a woman’s cervical cells. In some cases, the abnormal cells are treated, but this isn’t always necessary.
Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can also cause an abnormal Pap smear. One example is trichomoniasis, which can cause abnormal halo-like formations within the cervical cells. Unlike other STDs, trichomoniasis tends to provide indications that a person is infected. These include a frothy, itchy discharge that may be yellowish or gray-green and pain when urinating. Such infections are common and treatable.
Another of the sexually transmitted diseases that can cause an abnormal pap smear is herpes. This virus has no known cure. It remains in the body, where it sometimes lies dormant, but tends to periodically travel to the surface of the skin. When this happens, blisters usually appear, but they disappear after a short time. Although a person with herpes doesn’t always have symptoms, the existence of the virus in the body can cause cellular changes that can be detected by a pap smear.
There are other types of infections that can also lead to an abnormal Pap smear. A yeast infection, for example, isn’t an STD. Women can suffer from such infections even if they have never had sex. This is also the case with other bacterial infections. Yet these can affect the results of an exam.
In some cases, the problem is not the result of a condition. Normal habits can be the reason for an abnormal pap smear. A good example is sexual intercourse. Women are often advised to abstain from sex before having a Pap test because the results can be affected. Another common habit that can affect your results is the use of tampons.
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