Why is my Pap smear abnormal but no HPV?

Other things can cause cells to look abnormal, including irritation, some infections (such as a yeast infection), growths (such as polyps in the uterus), and changes in hormones that occur during pregnancy or menopause. Although these things may make cervical cells look abnormal, they are not related to cancer.

Can you have abnormal Pap smear and no HPV?

Cause. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

Trichomoniasis and Other STDS

Another one of the more common abnormal Pap smear causes, especially in women aged 16 to 35, is the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis. As NLM explains, trichomoniasis can cause many symptoms, such as the following: Vaginal itching.

Can an abnormal Pap smear be nothing?

Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it's important to follow up to make sure.

Can you test negative for HPV and still have abnormal cells?

A false-positive result could lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures, such as colposcopy or biopsy, and undue anxiety over the test results. False-negative. A false-negative test result means you really do have an HPV infection, but the test indicates that you don't.

Abnormal Pap Smear: What Does It Mean?

Can a yeast infection cause an abnormal Pap smear?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , yeast infections can lead to an abnormal Pap smear finding called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap smear result.

How common are abnormal Pap smears?

About 5% of all Pap tests will be abnormal, meaning that the sample contains atypical cervical cells. However, the majority of these cells are not cancerous or even precancerous. An abnormal Pap test result does not mean cancer, but it does require follow-up to rule out the possibility of cancer.

What is the most common reason for an abnormal Pap smear?

In most cases, an abnormal Pap test is a result of: A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD), such as herpes or trichomoniasis. A bacterial or yeast infection.

Can you have abnormal cervical cells without HPV?

Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing—that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it's related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection.

What are the five categories of Pap smear abnormalities?

What happens if you keep having abnormal Pap smears?

If they appear to be abnormal, your doctor will order more tests, including a colposcopy, to find out for sure if it's cancer. Squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma cells. This means the cells on your cervix are so abnormal, your doctor is almost certain it's cancer.

Do abnormal cells always mean HPV?

An abnormal cervical screening test result does not mean that you have cervical cancer. It means that cervical cell changes were found or that cells are infected with HPV. Depending on the results, you may need follow-up testing or treatment. Treatment for cervical cell changes works well.

Can hormonal imbalance cause abnormal Pap?

It can also indicate a disease or infection as well as changes caused by hormones or inflammation. The results may be influenced by other factors too, such as having had sexual intercourse, using a douche or applying vaginal cream in the two days prior to the Pap smear testing.

Can BV cause abnormal Pap?

What Causes An Abnormal Pap test? The presence of an infection such as yeast, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, chlamydia or gonorrhea may cause cervical cells to appear inflamed, resulting in the finding described as benign cellular or reactive changes.

What is treatment for abnormal Pap smear?

If there are moderate to severe changes in your cervix, your doctor may want to remove the cervical tissue. Typically, your doctor will use the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or perform a cold knife cone biopsy as a minor surgical procedure.

What procedure is done after abnormal Pap?

Colposcopy (kol-POS-kuh-pee) is a procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. During colposcopy, your doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope. Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if your Pap test result is abnormal.

Should I be worried about abnormal cervical cells?

An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). Abnormal cervical cells are not the same as cervical cancer. If left untreated, there is a risk that some abnormal cells could go on to develop into cervical cancer in the future.

How common are abnormal cells in cervix?

About 6 out of 10 women who have a colposcopy have abnormal cells in their cervix. The most common type of abnormality is known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN isn't cancer, but it can sometimes develop into cancer if left untreated.

Can abnormal cervical cells go away on their own?

The treatment you need for abnormal cervical cell changes depends on whether you have mild, moderate or severe changes. Many women with mild changes don't need treatment as the cell changes go back to normal on their own.

Should I be worried about abnormal smear test?

It's worrying to receive abnormal or borderline smear test results. However, it is not unusual to have an abnormal result and it doesn't mean you have cancer. The smear test is designed to pick up minor changes in the cells of the cervix before any serious problems develop.

Can a UTI cause abnormal Pap?

Possible reasons for abnormal Pap test results besides cancer include: Vaginal infection. Recent sexual activity. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

What infections can cause abnormal Pap?

Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.

Can inflammation cause abnormal Pap smear?

An abnormal Pap smear can be caused by cancerous cells. It can also be caused by other cervical and vaginal abnormalities, including dysplasia (precancerous cells) and inflammation.

What infections can a Pap smear detect?

The STIs that can be diagnosed by Pap smear are trichomoniasis, HPV infection, herpes genitalis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.

What is Stage 3 abnormal cervical cells?

Severely abnormal cells are found on the surface of the cervix. CIN 3 is usually caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and is found when a cervical biopsy is done. CIN 3 is not cancer, but may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue if not treated.