An Abnormal Pap Result Is a Starting Point
Getting a call or portal message that your Pap test came back abnormal can be unsettling. It is natural to worry. The most important thing to know is that an abnormal Pap result is not a cancer diagnosis. It means some cells on your cervix looked different from normal and deserve a closer look.
A Pap test is a screening tool. Its job is to catch cell changes early, often long before they would cause any symptoms. Follow-up care is how your gynecologist figures out what those changes mean and whether anything needs to be done.
Why Results Can Come Back Abnormal
There are several reasons a Pap test may show changes. Some are minor and go away on their own. Others are linked to human papillomavirus, or HPV, a very common infection that the body often clears over time. Sometimes the sample simply was not clear enough to read, and the test needs to be repeated.
Because the reasons vary, the next step varies too. Your provider will look at your specific result, your age, your history, and any HPV testing before recommending a plan.
Common Next Steps
Depending on your result, your gynecologist may recommend one of several paths. Each one is designed to gather more information or address changes early:
- Repeat testing after a set amount of time to see whether the changes clear on their own
- HPV testing, if it was not already done, to help guide the next decision
- Colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix during an office visit, sometimes with a small tissue sample
- A loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP, to remove an area of abnormal cells when needed
At Women’s Health Associates, colposcopy and LEEP are among the gynecologic procedures we offer. Many of our procedures can be done right in the office, while some require a surgical suite. Your provider will explain where and how your procedure will take place.
What a Colposcopy Visit Is Like
For many women, colposcopy is the step that brings the most questions. The visit feels similar to a pelvic exam. Your provider takes a close, magnified look at the cervix. If an area looks concerning, a small sample may be taken and sent to a lab. Your provider will talk with you about what to expect afterward and when results will be ready.
It is normal to feel nervous before this visit. Some women find it helps to bring a support person, wear comfortable clothes, and plan a quiet rest of the day. If you have had a difficult pelvic exam in the past, tell your provider at the start. They can explain each step as it happens and pause when you need a moment.
Write down your questions before the appointment. It can help to ask what your provider is looking for, what the possible results could mean, and how you will be contacted with results.
Do Not Let Follow-Up Slip
The biggest risk with an abnormal Pap is not the result itself. It is missing the follow-up. The months before the holidays fill up fast, and it is easy to tell yourself you will deal with it in the new year. Scheduling now keeps your care on track and gives you answers sooner. If your insurance plan resets in January, it may also be worth checking your benefits before year-end.
Keep up with routine screenings after your follow-up, too. Your gynecologist will let you know how often you should be tested based on your results and history.
Our gynecologists care for women throughout Boise and the Treasure Valley at every stage of life. If you have received an abnormal Pap result or are due for your next screening, contact Women’s Health Associates to schedule an appointment.
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