QuestionHI DR. RAMIREZ
I RECENTLY WENT TO THE GYN DR TO GET A PAP SMEAR.A DAY BEFORE GOING I HAD A CONSTANT ITCH EVERTIME I WOULD WASH MY VAGINA WITH OATMEAL SOAP, AND BURNING WHEN HAVING SEX.SO I STARTED TO TAKE TERAZOL FOR A YEAST INFECTION..A DAY LATER WAS CONFIRMED BY A CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE...THAT WAS WHEN I HAD THE PAP SMEAR...A WEEK LATER WENT BACK TO THE GYN DR TO GET MY RESULTS AND SHE TOLD ME THAT STDS CAME BACK NEGATIVE AND THAT I HAVE A ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR, WHICH SHE SAID THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE WITH OTHER TEST ON THE PAP SMEAR SAMPLE. SHE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE IT COULD OF BEEN THE YEAST INFECTION OR THE TERAZOL THAT MADE THE TEST COME BACK ABNORMAL...BUT I'M WORRIED AND STREESED...MY QUESTION IS COULD THAT BE TRUE OR A MAYBE ??? SHOULD I ASK HER TO DO IT AGAIN...??? I'M 23YRS OLD...1 MISCCARRIAGE A YEAR AGO...AND IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLES...
THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
KELLY
AnswerDear Kelly,
Thank you for your question. The abnormality you had was probably atypical squamous cells, which is a low grade abnormality. It can be caused by many things including a yeast infection. Your doctor is correct in that regard. Usually, it is protocol to repeat the pap smear in 6 months because the majority of these abnormalities will resolve on their own. If the abnormality is a higher grade, then the situation is different. I would recommend that you ask your doctor to explain the results to you.
I hope that answers your questions.
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
