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- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
An Abnormal Smear
An abnormal smear is when a GP or gynaecologist finds abnormal results on a smear test. This may worry some patients, but it is rarely a problem. There are different severities of abnormal smear tests, and normally only consistently severe tests will suggest a problem such as the onset of cervical cancer. Most abnormal smear tests will simply require another test to be performed at a later date, as the initial test was an anomaly.
A smear test is designed to investigate the health of the cervix. The NHS has put an effective system in place that invites women to have a smear test performed every three years. This has significantly decreased the number of cases of cervical cancer, as the illness is now being caught in its early stages and is therefore easier to treat. The patient attending the appointment will have a speculum inserted into her vagina, which keeps it open to allow the GP or gynaecologist to wipe a spatula on the inside of the cervix. The experience may be unpleasant for many women, but it is relatively straightforward and extremely beneficial. The results of the test are returned to the patient in just over a month, and will be either normal or abnormal.
A result stating that the smear test was abnormal means that the patient must return for another test. The test can potentially be mildly abnormal, moderately abnormal or severely abnormal. The test can be abnormal simply as a result of the chemical composition of the cells in the cervix changing due to hormonal activity, menstruation or perhaps pregnancy. Most repeated tests will come out as normal, as the initial test did not provide an accurate reading. In some cases, most commonly when the initial test was severely abnormal, the test may once again come out as abnormal.
If the test is consistently abnormal, this may suggest a problem. If it is consistently severely abnormal, this may point to the onset of cervical cancer. The patient’s GP or gynaecologist will insist that a specialist examines the patient further. More smear tests will be performed, as well as small biopsies. Even at this stage it is unlikely that cancer will develop, but the specialist will be able to treat it prematurely if there are any signs that it might develop. Because of this, it is important that women are regularly screened to prevent the onset of cervical cancer.