I’m not sure who loves it when your annual check ups roll around, but at Madison Women’s Clinic, we make every effort to keep it simple and comfortable. We know it’s not your favorite way to spend a Tuesday morning…or any morning really!

One of the checks we will do when you come for your annual check up is a pap test. This test is designed to catch small changes in the cells of your cervix before they become something more of a problem. When a result comes back “abnormal,” it can feel pretty frightening, like the floor just dropped out from under you, but don’t go down the rabbit hole just yet. It’s marker more than anything.

So, what’s the first thing that will happen next?

In most cases, your provider will simply take a closer look. That might mean repeating the Pap smear at some given date in the future, or doing a follow-up test called an HPV test. This test checks for the presence of Human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus that can cause changes in cervical cells. In fact, most adults will have HPV at some point in their lives, and often the body clears it on its own without any treatment. One reason why we tell our patients to get your Pap test regularly, is that it helps us notice and track these subtle changes.

If your results suggest a need for more evaluation, your provider may recommend a procedure called a colposcopy. While the name sounds intimidating, it’s actually a straightforward, in-office exam. During a colposcopy, your provider uses a special magnifying instrument to get a better view of your cervix. It’s similar to a Pap smear in setup, but a bit more detailed. This can often be the same time they biopsy the tissue so it can be examined closer, at a lab. The tissue will be analyzed and determined what type of cell changes are present and what treatment, if any, is the best.

Here’s the reassuring part: abnormal results are often caused by low-grade changes that don’t require immediate treatment. Instead, your provider may recommend monitoring things over time. This “watch and wait” approach is very common and helps avoid unnecessary procedures while still keeping a close eye on your health. It’s also worth remembering that cervical cell changes typically happen slowly.

Emotionally, it’s completely normal to feel anxious when you hear the word “abnormal”, but try to think of it in terms of information or a data marker. If you’ve been consistent in your check ups, then most likely, any big issues will be caught sooner than later. That’s actually the best-case scenario when it comes to preventive care.

At Madison Women’s Clinic, we are with you every step of the way. We want to see you healthy and happy, so schedule your annual exam today!