abnormal pap?!

Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
abnormal pap?!
9
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 11:16am
Hello Ladies,

I just had my yearly a few weeks ago, and the dr wants me to come back in because she said the test was abnormal. She told me this was very common, but I am still freaked out!!! I have never ever had this happen, and I have been with the same person for 4 years.

I have another appointment for my IUD next month when I get my period, so I really hope this does not effect that.

anybody else ever have this, and what happens?!

thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 12:54pm
I have had this happen twice. Just like you I freaked out when I got the call saying my pap was abnormal. My Dr. just had me go in for another one about 2 months later. The first time it happened my second pap came back abnormal again so I had to go back for a third time. The tird time instead of doing a pap they took a biopsy from my cervix. That test came back normal. It was such a relief! The next year when I went for my pap it came back abnormal again. They scheduled a second pap again and this time it came back normal so I didn't have to do the biopsy again.

For the past three years my first pap has been normal. I was told that sometimes it can just be a change in the cells in your cervix causing the abnormality.

Best of luck to you. I hope this helped a little. D
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 12:59pm
It is my experience that this is becoming more common as docs are switching over to more sensitive testing methods. It is also VERY common to have an abnormal pap at some point in your life. The important thing is to understand what the "level" of abnormality is. The lowest levels of involvement have like an 80% chance of resolving themselves by the work of your body's immune system. This was my experience as I went through the abnormal exam followup process over the last 6 months or so.

Here's a link that might help: http://magazines.ivillage.com/cosmopolitan/sex/health/articles/0,,284395_534577-3,00.html

Best wishes,

Sandy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 1:37pm
Hi kissmedeadly, welcome back!

There can be false positive pap results but even if you do have an abnormal condition most of the time it can be easily treated. Here are some links so articles about common cervical conditions. Abnormal Pap: What is Dysplasia?

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,232855_733,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=3 and Abnormal Pap: Why Was My Test Abnormal -- and then Normal?

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,166040_125249,00.html

An “unresolved abnormal pap smear” is a contraindication for insertion of a ParaGard IUD. There is nothing that specific that I found in the Mirena prescribing information but I would think your doctor would not want to proceed with either kind until your condition is resolved. I hope your retest is normal. Let us know how your second test goes and how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 2:28pm
Whoo- Relief :) thank you to everyone who responded. I am going back next week to get the 2nd one done, so now I am not so freaked out.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 2:28pm
Don't forget too that an abnormal pap can result from something as simple as having sex too close to the examination! You're supposed to abstain for a day or two before your pap, and not doing so can cause issues with the test in some cases.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2004
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 4:28pm
Just thought I'd let you know the experience I had w/an abnormal pap. It was about 8 years ago and I panicked. They sent me to another ob/gyn and they did 6 biopsy's. Turned out that I had mild displaysia and pre-cancerous cervical cells. I was 19 and thought my life was over!!! Talk about panic! Anyway, they ended up doing cryosurgery (spelling?) to remove the cells (freezing), (this was before the lazer method was popular). Things are great now and I've since had a kid and everything is peachy. Every pap I've had since has been normal. It was nerve racking at the time but everything turned out good in the end so don't worry. Let us know what the outcome is and good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 9:26pm
I recently had an abnormal pap test and just had a biopsy as a follow-up. I was having some bleeding after intercourse and was concerned. My dr. said my cervix was irritated and prescribed an antibiotic cream. My dr. assumed that it was from "over-use". I guess my husband's vasectomy is working too well! Since using the cream, I havent had anymore bleeding after intercourse. Anyhow, my doctor doesnt think it is serious and feels the biopsy will be negative. I am still waiting for the results.....Hope all goes good with you!

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2003
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 1:33pm
I had an abnormal pap several years ago. They had me come back in & they did another pap/biopsy? where they took samples from different places around the cervix. That showed pre-cancerous cells & they scheduled the cryo-surgery (basically they take a tool & "freeze" your cervix and the top layer of cells sluff off is as best I can tell what they did. (IF you have to have this done, take some motrin before you go in!!! No one mentioned it to me & never mentioned that you would want to be scraped off the ceiling at some point during the proceedure w/o it). Luckily it is over quickly and I have not had any problems since *knock on wood* and have had 2 healthy children since then.

-Bonnie mom to Meagan 10yrs, Jasmine 7-1/2yrs, Nicholas 2-1/2yrs & Catalina 7 weeks

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2004
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 11:53pm
my last pap was in jan of this year and it came back abnormal as well. i freaked out the same and called my friend and yadda yadda. turns out there was "a little bit" of yeast that showed up that i was already taking pills for. it's prob nothing serious. just try to remain calm till you go in.

best of luck