Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Gynecology and Women's Health
  • Treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears
Content

Treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears

Learning that the results of your recent pap smear came back abnormal can generate feelings of anxiety and concern. Rest assured that the gynecologists and women’s health specialists in the Sutter Health network can help you understand your results and treatment options.

Female physician speaking to patient

Abnormal pap smear results are very common and can indicate a variety of issues. Some of the more serious issues include the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) or precancerous cells on the cervix. If you’re younger than age 30, your doctor may not have tested you for HPV—which is a separate test from the pap smear—so you may be asked to undergo additional testing.

Depending on your health history, your doctor may also order a repeat pap smear test or a more detailed examination called colposcopy. During a colposcopy, your gynecologist uses a microscope to get a more detailed look at the cells on your cervix. After gently swabbing your cervix with a vinegar or iodine solution, your doctor looks for signs of abnormal tissue. If your doctor notices any suspicious cells, a small biopsy of the tissue may be taken and sent to the lab for further examination.

If your biopsy results indicate the presence of precancerous cells or a type of HPV that’s more likely to cause cancer, your doctor may suggest treating the area using cryosurgery. During this simple outpatient procedure, your doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the precancerous cells. The procedure is much like a typical vaginal exam and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Your doctor may suggest a different treatment method for precancerous cells called the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). During this outpatient procedure, your doctor applies a numbing agent to the cervix so you won’t feel any pain. Then a thin wire loop that emits an electrical current cuts away a small layer of cells on your cervix. The electrical current cauterizes the tissue on your cervix to help prevent bleeding. In many cases, this procedure removes all of the abnormal cells and additional surgery isn’t needed.

Another procedure that can both diagnose and treat abnormal cells is the cold knife cone biopsy. This procedure is done in a hospital setting under general anesthesia or other sedation. During this procedure, your doctor removes a cone-shaped area of tissue around the cervix. The sample is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. If all of the diseased cells are removed, the biopsy procedure can also serve as a curative treatment.

Talk to your doctor about which treatment option is best for you. Ask how often you need to have a pap smear after undergoing any of these treatments.

Connect with a Gynecologist

Related Content

  • Gynecology and Women's Health
  • Gynecologic Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Health and Wellness

Facts About Vaginal Infections

Facts About Vaginal Infections

Bacteria and yeast occur in the vagina naturally, but sometimes these organisms get out of balance and can cause vaginitis. Learn more about recognizing and treating vaginal infections.

Facts About Vaginal Infections

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Deepti Gupta, M.D., FACOG

Deepti Gupta, M.D., FACOG

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • Gynecology

Kier C. Van Remoortere, M.D., FACOG

Kier C. Van Remoortere, M.D., FACOG

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • Gynecology

Pavithra Venkat, M.D., FACOG

Pavithra Venkat, M.D., FACOG

  • Gynecology

Kristie C. Sutton, M.D.

Kristie C. Sutton, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Isabelle J. Cohen, M.D.

Isabelle J. Cohen, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Susan Maayah, M.D.

Susan Maayah, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Maria A. Rodriguez Ballestas, M.D.

Maria A. Rodriguez Ballestas, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Eric Tabas, M.D.

Eric Tabas, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Monica Y. Hannon, M.D.

Monica Y. Hannon, M.D.

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

View All Related Doctors

Services Near You

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital

Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital

Sutter Lakeside Hospital

Sutter Lakeside Hospital

Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

California Pacific Medical Center

California Pacific Medical Center

Memorial Hospital Los Banos

Memorial Hospital Los Banos

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

View All Related Locations

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences