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What does it mean if I need a colposcopy?

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Someone asked us:

I have received an abnormal pap smear and have been called in for a colposcopy. Is it likely that this is HPV?


Yes - it is likely that the abnormal cells detected from your Pap test are the result of HPV. But no need to freak out yet - there are more than 100 types of HPV (human papilloma virus), and most have no harmful effect at all and go away on their own. Certain types of HPV may cause cell changes that sometimes lead to cervical cancer and certain other genital and throat cancers. These are called high-risk types.

A colposcopy will provide a closer look at whatever cervical cell changes were detected during your Pap test. During a colposcopy, a health care provider uses a colposcope — an instrument that looks like a pair of binoculars with a bright light mounted on a stand. Depending on what the health care provider sees, they’ll either recommend a follow-up Pap test in a few months, or they’ll collect a small amount of tissue in order to perform a biopsy. 

Sometimes, the biopsy is also the treatment. The health care provider may be able to remove all of the abnormal cells during the colposcopy and biopsy procedure. If so, no further treatment is needed.

Another procedure may be needed for further treatment if it’s determined you do have pre-cancerous cells. The following procedures are very effective at removing the abnormal areas of the cervix and preventing cervical cancer:

• Cryotherapy — abnormal tissue is frozen off

• LEEP — abnormal tissue is removed using a thin wire loop that carries an electrical current

• Laser — abnormal tissue is destroyed with a laser beam

• Cone biopsy — a cone-shaped wedge is cut out of the cervix

You should know that HPV is extremely common, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that as many as 80 percent of women — and 50 percent of men and women combined — will get HPV at some point in their lives. However, most of those infections go away or are suppressed by the body within one to two years, without causing any problems that require treatment. 

Learn more about HPV.

- Emily at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: HPVcervical cancercolposcopyPap testquestions

HPV Vaccine and Transgender Women


Someone asked us:

Hi! I was just wondering about the HPV vaccine and recommendations for trans women. Since my legal sex is still ‘male,’ is it still a good idea for me to get the vaccine?

Depending on how old you are, it may be a great idea for you to get vaccinated.

There are two types of HPV vaccines in the US. Cervarix prevents against two strains of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers as well as vaginal and anal cancers. The other vaccine is called Gardasil and it protects against these two cancer causing strains plus an additional two strains of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts. So regardless of gender, we recommend that anyone age 9-26 get the HPV vaccine.

What about folks older than 26? It’s likely that they have already been exposed to HPV and therefore the vaccine isn’t going to be as beneficial. But you can always talk with your health care provider about the specifics of your situation.

And btw, Planned Parenthood strives to provide LGBT-friendly health care. Find a health center.

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: LGBTQHPVHPV vaccinegardasilquestions

Sex and Pap Tests


Someone asked us:

Does having sex or the type of sex change the frequency of how often I should get a Pap Test done? (penis-vagina sex v. dildo-vagina sex v. nothing-in-vagina sex v. no sex at all) I’m 27.

While having unprotected vaginal sex can make you more susceptible to the kind of stuff Pap tests screen for, regular Pap tests are a good idea for everyone — regardless of whether or not they’re having sex, how much, or what kind of sex they’re having. It’s recommended that you get a Pap test every three years, starting when you’re 21. But you and your health care provider can talk about your health and sex life, to figure out whether you should have them more frequently.

Pap tests screen for pre-cancerous cells in your cervix. Why do pre-cancerous cells sometimes show up in your cervix in the first place, you ask? We know that certain high-risk types of HPV can cause infections that can lead to cervical cancer.

-Alex at PPFA

Tagged: Pap SmearPap TestQuestionsHPV
Hi there! So, are you watching this new show “Girls”? Y’know, the one that pretty much every single person on the internet seems to be talking about? On last week’s episode, Hannah finds out she has HPV and tries to figure out where she might have gotten it. When she asks the guy she’s sleeping with about it, he gets all offended and tells her he was just tested for HPV. Later, when Hannah meets up with her ex, he tells her there’s no HPV test for guys, so the other guy was obviously lying.Turns out, Hannah’s ex-boyfriend is right. There isn’t an HPV test for cisgender men yet. And even though HPV almost always goes away without causing any problems, anyone with it can still spread it. HPV is really common, and most HPV infections have no harmful effect at all. But some types of HPV can cause genital warts, and others can potentially cause cancer. Here’s some good news: anybody can get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine works best in people who haven’t yet had sex or been exposed to HPV, which is why it’s not often given to people older than 26. But no matter who you are or how old you are, talk with a health care provider to find out if the HPV vaccine could help you.

Hi there! So, are you watching this new show “Girls”? Y’know, the one that pretty much every single person on the internet seems to be talking about? On last week’s episode, Hannah finds out she has HPV and tries to figure out where she might have gotten it. When she asks the guy she’s sleeping with about it, he gets all offended and tells her he was just tested for HPV. Later, when Hannah meets up with her ex, he tells her there’s no HPV test for guys, so the other guy was obviously lying.

Turns out, Hannah’s ex-boyfriend is right. There isn’t an HPV test for cisgender men yet. And even though HPV almost always goes away without causing any problems, anyone with it can still spread it. HPV is really common, and most HPV infections have no harmful effect at all. But some types of HPV can cause genital warts, and others can potentially cause cancer. Here’s some good news: anybody can get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine works best in people who haven’t yet had sex or been exposed to HPV, which is why it’s not often given to people older than 26. But no matter who you are or how old you are, talk with a health care provider to find out if the HPV vaccine could help you.

Tagged: HPVHPV VaccineSTDsGirls

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