No, ovarian cysts can’t typically cause abnormal Pap smears. The most common cause of an abnormal Pap smear is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to changes in the cervical cells over time.
Some of these changes in the cells are minor and may go away on their own. Others are more serious and could turn into cervical cancer if left untreated.
Your Pap smear might come back with an abnormal result if you have an HPV infection or the test picks up on any of these changes in the cervical cells.
If you don’t have an HPV infection or changes in the cervical cells but still receive an atypical Pap smear result, other
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- yeast infections
- menopause
- pregnancy
- hormone shifts or low estrogen
- irritation in the cervix
In these instances, the cervical cells might look unusual, but they’re not related to cancer. Sometimes your test results may come back atypical even though your cells are, in fact, normal. This is called a false positive.
You can take certain steps to prevent getting a false positive, as well as ensure the test runs smoothly and the results are as accurate as possible. For 2 days before your Pap smear, you
- having sexual intercourse
- douching
- using vaginal medications or spermicidal foam
Although you can still have a Pap smear when you’re on your period, blood may interfere with your test results. So you might consider rescheduling the test if that’s an option for you.
If your result is atypical and you have either HPV or precancerous cells, your doctor or healthcare professional will assess your history, including your age and any previous Pap smear results, and determine your follow-up plan.
Based on your risk for cervical cancer and your individual results, they might ask you to:
- return for a repeat HPV test or Pap smear in 1 to 3 years
- have a colposcopy
- receive treatment
To learn more about the next steps after an abnormal Pap smear result, read “What to Know About Vinegar Tests on the Cervix.”