Abnormal Pap Smear in Pregnancy

Loading...

View/Download File

Naomi-Fennell-PET.pdf (38.62 KB)

Persistent link to this item

https://hdl.handle.net/11299/49798

Statistics

View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Abnormal Pap Smear in Pregnancy

Authors

Fennell, Naomi

Published Date

2009-05-06

Publisher

Type

Other

Abstract

2-7% of pregnant women in the United States will have an abnormal pap during pregnancy. An abnormal pap smear means that some of the cells that were brushed off the cervix during a pap smear appeared atypical, or abnormal, under the microscope. There are many causes of atypical cervical cells, but they are often from infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical dysplasia (change in the cells of the cervix) is considered pre-cancerous because if left untreated it can progress to cervical cancer. Some abnormal pap results will lead to an exam called a colposcopy. Colposcopy is when a doctor uses a microscope to look at the cervix. This procedure is similar to a pelvic exam and usually takes about 15 minutes. The doctor will try to visualize any abnormal areas on the cervix and decide if the abnormal area(s) appear to be mild, moderate, or severe dysplasia. The doctor will then decide if a biopsy is required. Current recommendations suggest that pregnant women with cervical lesions that appear to be moderate or severe dysplasia by colposcopy should be biopsied.

Keywords

Pap smear

Papanicolaou

Pregnancy

Pregnant

Abnormal

LSIL

HSIL

Colposcopy

Biopsy

Description

The information provided in this handout does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Minnesota Medical School physicians and faculty. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are in no way intended to take the place of the advice and recommendations of your personal health care provider. You use the information provided in these handouts at your own risk.

Related to

Replaces

License

Collections

Primary Care Clerkship Patient Education Handouts

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Suggested citation

Fennell, Naomi. (2009). Abnormal Pap Smear in Pregnancy. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/49798.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.