Cervical dysplasia, as the_amputation explained, is usually caused by a strain of HPV. Some strains (low risk) cause dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth, on the outer portions of your vulva (generally on or around the labia) - these are commonly referred to as genital warts. High risk strains cause abnormal cell growth on the surface of your cervix, and are generally found during a Pap Smear.
The abnormal cells, if left untreated, can become cancerous, which is why cervical dysplasia is referred to as pre-cancerous cells. However, finding abnormal cells does not mean you have cancer. It's easy to jump to the worst case scenario, but that is also the most unlikely, and does not sound like the situation you are in.
Your next step will probably be a colposcopy, which is like a pap smear with a camera and a rather uncomfortable process of taking a sample of your cervix to biopsy. Your doctor will apply a solution to the surface of your cervix that makes the abnormal cells appear a different color than the normal cells on camera. A colposcope is inserted to take pictures of your cervix, and a small sample is taken to biopsy. It's not the worst experience in the world, but it is more uncomfortable than a pap smear. This process, however, enables your doctor to most effectively treat the dysplasia.
In many women, the dysplasia will clear up on its own, but if your dysplasia is moderate or severe, your doctor will probably go ahead and treat it as opposed to waiting for it to clear up - just to be safe. The most common treatments are laser surgery and the LEEP procedure. They are both highly effective (98%) at removing all of the abnormal cell growth, and neither are too invasive or painful. The LEEP procedure is generally cheaper and more gynos have the ability to perform the procedure in office, as opposed to the laser surgery. Some OBGYN offices may have the equipment to perform laser surgery in office, but the small lasers are very expensive, and it is likely you would need to visit a hospital for the laser procedure. The laser procedure is somewhat more expensive usually (although both should be covered by insurance), but from what I understand it is more comfortable. Also, if it is performed in a hospital, you will have the option of being completely knocked out and there will be an anesthesiologist on hand. There are other, more invasive treatment options as well (cone biopsy, for example), but they are not preferred and are generally used for cases of CIN3 or CIS. I don't know as much about them, but there is a wealth of information online.
Doctors and researchers are still learning a lot about HPV and cervical dysplasia, but your doctor should be able to answer any questions about HPV itself, your dysplasia as well as treatment options.
I know this can be really hard and scary, I just went through this same process, and it isn't fun. Try and remember that this is VERY common though, and it is nearly impossible to avoid except by abstaining from sexual contact entirely. I found myself very caught up in wondering what I could have done differently, and I finally just had to accept that I did everything I could. I've never had unprotected sex, I've always had regular tests for STIs and HIV, and I found out I had it a year and a half in to a monogamous relationship. I did everything I was told and taught to do to have safe sex, and I still got HPV. Don't get down on yourself for it, just remember that it is super common and very treatable.
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Date: 2007-04-02 06:41 pm (UTC)The abnormal cells, if left untreated, can become cancerous, which is why cervical dysplasia is referred to as pre-cancerous cells. However, finding abnormal cells does not mean you have cancer. It's easy to jump to the worst case scenario, but that is also the most unlikely, and does not sound like the situation you are in.
Your next step will probably be a colposcopy, which is like a pap smear with a camera and a rather uncomfortable process of taking a sample of your cervix to biopsy. Your doctor will apply a solution to the surface of your cervix that makes the abnormal cells appear a different color than the normal cells on camera. A colposcope is inserted to take pictures of your cervix, and a small sample is taken to biopsy. It's not the worst experience in the world, but it is more uncomfortable than a pap smear. This process, however, enables your doctor to most effectively treat the dysplasia.
In many women, the dysplasia will clear up on its own, but if your dysplasia is moderate or severe, your doctor will probably go ahead and treat it as opposed to waiting for it to clear up - just to be safe. The most common treatments are laser surgery and the LEEP procedure. They are both highly effective (98%) at removing all of the abnormal cell growth, and neither are too invasive or painful. The LEEP procedure is generally cheaper and more gynos have the ability to perform the procedure in office, as opposed to the laser surgery. Some OBGYN offices may have the equipment to perform laser surgery in office, but the small lasers are very expensive, and it is likely you would need to visit a hospital for the laser procedure. The laser procedure is somewhat more expensive usually (although both should be covered by insurance), but from what I understand it is more comfortable. Also, if it is performed in a hospital, you will have the option of being completely knocked out and there will be an anesthesiologist on hand. There are other, more invasive treatment options as well (cone biopsy, for example), but they are not preferred and are generally used for cases of CIN3 or CIS. I don't know as much about them, but there is a wealth of information online.
Doctors and researchers are still learning a lot about HPV and cervical dysplasia, but your doctor should be able to answer any questions about HPV itself, your dysplasia as well as treatment options.
I know this can be really hard and scary, I just went through this same process, and it isn't fun. Try and remember that this is VERY common though, and it is nearly impossible to avoid except by abstaining from sexual contact entirely. I found myself very caught up in wondering what I could have done differently, and I finally just had to accept that I did everything I could. I've never had unprotected sex, I've always had regular tests for STIs and HIV, and I found out I had it a year and a half in to a monogamous relationship. I did everything I was told and taught to do to have safe sex, and I still got HPV. Don't get down on yourself for it, just remember that it is super common and very treatable.