Abnormal PAP Smears

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The treatment of most abnormal PAP smears has become much more conservative over the last five

years. We see the highest percentage of abnormal PAPs occurring in patients from ages 15-25 and it is

precisely this group of patients that should not be over treated.

Most of the time the abnormal PAPs are mild and the usual treatments such as cryo (freezing), laser, and

LEEP (surgical excision of abnormal tissue using a wire loop) can slightly increase the chances of future

problems such as infertility due to stenosis (scarring) of the cervix or cervical incompetence (weakening

of the connective tissue of the cervix which results in premature dilation of the cervix in pregnancy.)

However, we are very aware that many patients become extremely anxious when told that they have an

abnormal PAP and do not want to just keep repeating the test. Therefore, we individualize each case and

treat each person according to their level of comfort. Obviously, in the cases where the abnormality is

more serious, we will recommend treatment rather than observation.

There are always a lot of questions concerning abnormal PAP tests and the treatment involved, so here

are some other Web sites that will give you more information. Just don't forget to come back to A

Woman's View when you are finished!

We have an interactive computer

informed consent program that

you can view in our Patient Media

Center. It covers the causes and

treatments of abnormal PAPs in

greater depth.

Media Center