Abnormal Pap Smear

Updated on October 26, 2008
H.W. asks from Leander, TX
26 answers

I was just wondering if anyone has had an abnormal pap smear that just corrects itself? I just got a call that mine was abnormal and that the HPV test was negative. So they told me that what they will do is recheck it in a year. I just thought that was strange since I always go back in a year, will it just go away? Why wouldn't they recheck it sooner? Thanks in advance for any advice, I'm just a little confused.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your advice, I was really just trying to decide if I should question the year re-check. I know that lots of things can cause an abnormal pap, but so far I haven't fallen into any of those categories. I haven't had a period in a 1.5 so I know that isn't it. I do love and trust my doctor, so I will probably just email him personally and ask him directly. Thanks again, I'm sure it is nothing, but I will definitely get re-checked just incase.

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B.R.

answers from Longview on

I had the same thing happen to me. My doctor had me come back in three months later and re-do it. I haven't heard back yet, but he did say that abnormal results are very common, and the "abnormalities" are usually due to inflamation. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if you are still concerned, call and ask about doing it sooner. Hope everything works out.

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T.G.

answers from College Station on

The same thing happened to me. I was told the same info. I was asked if I wore tampons and if when I had my Pap done if it was a couple of days after my cycle. I was advised to schedule my Pap at least a week after my cycle.

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J.K.

answers from Austin on

Yes, I have had an abnormal papsmear.. They were very vague about it all, and had me go back in 6 months... I would call back and ask more questions, nurses don't seem to be very informed themselves, so they leave very vague messages. Talk to you dr. personally..

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M.T.

answers from Austin on

mine was abnormal at my 6 week and then they did another one about 2 months later and it was normal and then i had one in april and it was normal also

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H.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

That does sound a little strange. When I had one it was because of the estrogen in birth control. I had 7 negative HPV test but the abnormal pap upgraded to a CIN III. So I was in and out of the doctors office every few months. Not that I want to scare you but I would go for a second opinion, becaus mine went from "abnormal" to CIN III in a matter of months. My personal opinion they should be watching you a little closer. Best of luck.

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

There are several things that cause this reading, but please do yourself and family a favor and have a check-up with your Dr. again.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi I have had abnormal paps And they always checked it in a couple of months, and yes it always eventually checked out normal. Sometimes, it's an abnormal amout of yeast. It can happen if you have had sex and still have some seman in you. It can end up with a problem, but mine always straightened out, sometimes I got 2 or even 3 in a row that weren't perfect, then it was normal agian. It can have a lot to do, with how picky the lab is too, that checks it. I wouldn't worry, but i would ask to do another in 3 - 4 mths. Best of luck!

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M.D.

answers from Austin on

Hi H. I know alot about abnormal paps. I work as a Medical Assistant with a GYN. If your HPV came back Neg. that shows you do not have the virus that causes precancerious cells. This Virus can heal itself and is important to follow Up with paps to make sure it does. Having an ASCUS pap can be caused by our normal cells if no virus is presant. Some have had sex the night before there pap and the pap will so cell of abnormalities.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

My mom, my good friend and my late mother inlaw all had a abnormal pap. Doctors want to see if what ever is there is growing or not. So they give you time to let it grow if it is going to but not too much time that if its something they need to take out it dosent get out of hand. My moms didnt grow and eventually went away on its own if I remember correctly. My good friend had a biopsy on hers which removed it also and turned out to be nothing. My mother inlaw waited too long and it turned to cancer. Dont mean to scare you but really dont avoid the appointment. If its nothing then great if its something then dont ignore it either. Usually if its anything it can be taken care of.

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A.M.

answers from San Angelo on

I once had an abnormal pap smear that turned out to be nothing. It was classified as a Class 3, which sounds worse than a Class 2 or Class 1, and I had to retake the test in six months. It came back normal. I think (and have read this more than once in newspapers) that lab technicians frequently make mistakes on these pap smear tests. The technicians are overworked, in a hurry, etc. Also, and I know this sounds pessimistic, but it's possible that labs need to generate a certain amount of income, so they require people to retake tests, which of course they charge for. In any case, I would say "don't worry about it."

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L.T.

answers from Houston on

I had the say exact thing happen however they are suppose to check me 6 months later, I go back in december. They seem to not be concerned since the HPV was neg. Maybe they should check you again at 6 months. I know that would at least ease the tenion of waiting for a year to know something.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

I had an abnormal pap smear at my checkup after giving birth. It was called ASCUS (Abnormal Squamus Cell of Undetermined Significance). They waited a couple of months, still abnormal. They waited 6 months, normal! It either corrected itself, which my doctor said it could have been tissue from the birth that wasn't supposed to be there; or it could be a lab mistake. She told me to make sure to tell the doctor to use a special instrument next time (for a better sample). They did, and it was normal. I ask them to use it now when I go in. I tell them I have had an abnormal pap and need the better quality test. They comply.

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D.M.

answers from Houston on

H.,
I have had two bad ones in 5 years. Both times they re-took the test in 6 weeks and it came up negative. Apparently there are several things that can cause this. If I were you, I would request a second test in a few weeks or get another opinion from a doctor. Woman's health is nothing to fool around with these days. Have it re-checked, I think that was inconsiderate of your doctor's office to do that.
Best of luck, I'm sure you're fine. The re-test is for your peace of mind.
Deborah

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O.O.

answers from Houston on

I had an abnormal pap smear and they check it again in a week, but I had to pay for it because my insurance wouldn't pay for it. I would talk to your doctor and ask what is wrong. I wouldn't panic.

O.

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A.P.

answers from Austin on

Yes!
I have had the expierience of having an abnormal papsmear that was normal the following visit.

There are alot of false positives, and your body can sometimes produce irregular cell growth in times of stress,etc. that will correct itself in time.
Don't worry about it!!!
-A.

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H.F.

answers from San Angelo on

I have had a few "bad paps" and it seems like I was just getting over my period when the samples were taken...I would schedule the appt ahead of time and just be finishing, but would have a little residual during the times that it came back "bad" despite the fact that they said it didn't matter. If you don't show HPV, then don't worry, mine all came back negative the next check up. I would call your doc and ask her if you can do a re-check in 6 mos though, the safer the better and you ARE paying for it after all! Good luck and don't panic!!!!

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J.S.

answers from San Antonio on

It is quite NORMAL to have an abnormal pap smear. I had as many abnormal as normal tests when I had insurance and was going to the dr on a regular basis (when pregnant)...
You can be tested as often as you want to pay for it, so if you want reassurance, go to a local clinic and have one done for a reduced rate or ask your Dr. to re-test next month.

D.K.

answers from Houston on

That is very unusual that they would not check you again. I recently had the same thing and I went in for another check and it came back fine, but I did happen to have an infection. From what they told me thought you could have just a flair up that time and then normal the next. I would tell them that you would feel more comfortable if they would test you again. They should. We pay them they do not pay us.

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C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

I would talk to the doctor and find out exactly what is abnormal about it. I've had several abnormal results over the years and it was always abnormal shaped cells. I've had all sorts of tests done and the result is always that nothing is wrong, my cells just aren't shaped exactly right.
If this is a doctor that you trust then I wouldn't worry about it. If it is a doctor you aren't sure about, I'd get a second opinion. But above all else, try not to stress too much about it, some women just have abnormal results but it does't mean there is something wrong.

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K.A.

answers from Austin on

When I was pregnant with my first daughter I had an abnormal one and they told me to keep checking every 6 months. By a year and a half all my paps turned out clear so I went every year like I was supposed to and I haven't had an abnormal one since. That was 9 years ago. Some times they just clear up.

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M.R.

answers from Houston on

No, you need to go back & get another test done/second pap. There is a reason why it's abnormal. Your Ob/Gyn should give you more info. A year is too late.

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K.H.

answers from Killeen on

H.,
Please get another one . I would wait about 3 months in case it does clear up on its own.
I was not lucky enough to have the next one be normal. I ended up with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade 3.
I spent the next 3 years getting everything done from Conization, colposcopy's, Cryosurgery...it was very painful, and Something I would not want anyone to have to experience. I had 4 miscarriages and have been blessed to have been able to have two live births and two very difficult high risk pregnancies.
PLEASE go get checked again.! Don't wait a year, its not worth the risk. by then it could go from CIN to flat out and out cancer!

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V.H.

answers from Houston on

Call your insurance company and see if they will pay for another pAP, state the one you just had was abnormal. The abnormal could be they didn't get enough smear, the smear came off in that little cardboard holder, or when they sprayed it with the fixative and sprayed the smear off. I have had an abnormal one and had to go get another one. These were the explanations given by my Dr. Get it redone. This is your health.

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B.S.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I had an abnormal pap smear when I was pregnant with my daughter, but mine showed up as positive for HPV. They waited until my six week checkup to do the biopsy of my cervex when another pap smear showed the same result. I was instructed to come in every four months to check for the posiblity of cancer, but there was a small chance it would go away on it's own also. A year and a half later, mine was gone.
I wouldn't worry too much about your abnormal pap smear, because since you tested negative for HPV it could just be something weird at that time. They said to wait till next year to see if it will come back as normal, to see if it's stayed the same or changed at all. That way they have enough of a timespan to have a comparison. Since the main risk of cancer has been eliminated, waiting a year isn't a bad choice. You could always get a second opinion as well.
Hope this helps.
Brandy

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E.G.

answers from Killeen on

Go get another test. Do not wait a year. But go to a different lab. If there is a board of health in your area, go there. That happened to me once and I know you cannot wait a year. Go get another test please!!!!

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L.C.

answers from Houston on

I used to have adnormal paps and would have to go back to the doctor every 6 months until it came back normal. As long as your doctor monitors it, there shouldn't be a problem and most likely will go back to normal but I would ensure that you go every 6 months until results clear to normal. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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