Pap Smear

Health care providers use Pap smear to find abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix or in the cervical canal. Cervical cells are collected with a special swab, placed on the slide, stained according to the Papanicolaou technique and sent to the lab for microscopic analysis. If the examination under the microscope shows HPV-related cell changes, the woman may be referred for a colposcopical examination. The analysis of the cells includes the evaluation of their size, shape and structure. Pap smear is normal if there are no cells with deviations from normal size and shape. The presence of abnormal cells may be suggestive of condition called cervical dysplasia or, in relatively rare cases, cervical cancer.

An abnormal result of Pap smear may be linked to different health problems. Cervical cells may look abnormal if the cervix is affected by a bacterial infection. Usually cells abnormalities disappear after the present bacterial infection is treated. If the cause of cellular abnormalities is HPV infection, it is very important that the infected person strengthens the immune system in order to build a specific immunity against HPV. In case the test reveals cancerous lesions, the doctors usually prescribe the treatment with surgical removal of the diseased tissue.

If a woman receives an abnormal Pap smear result, she should repeat Pap smears at least every six months to monitor cervical tissues status. If cervical abnormalities persist or worsen, the doctor may recommend a treatment to get rid of abnormal cells. Surgical methods may be not very effective because the main cause of cervical cancer is HPV which can not be eliminated by surgery. For this reason, it may also be recommended for women with cervical abnormalities to undergo an anti-viral treatment.

In order to get rid of a viral infection the body needs to build a specific immunity to the viruses. However, HPV uses special strategies to escape immune surveillance and our immune system needs help to control this virus. It is possible to strengthen immune system and build immunity to HPV using natural supplements. Once the specific immunity against HPV is developed, the infection is eliminated and Pap smear comes back normal.