Cervical Health & HPV
Understand your HPV or cervical screening results—and know what comes next.
An HPV-positive result or abnormal Pap can leave you with more questions than answers. What does the result actually mean? Do you need another test? A colposcopy? A biopsy? And what happens if cervical dysplasia is found?
I provide evidence-informed cervical health care to help you understand your results, navigate recommended follow-up, and make informed decisions about your care.
When I can help
You may be looking for support if you've recently received:
A positive high-risk HPV result
An abnormal cervical cell result
A CIN 1, CIN 2 or CIN 3 result
A recommendation for repeat testing or surveillance
An abnormal Pap or cervical screening result
A diagnosis of cervical dysplasia
A recommendation for colposcopy or cervical biopsy
Questions about escharotic therapy
You may also simply want help understanding what your result means and what questions to ask at your next appointment.
An abnormal result does not automatically mean cancer. The significance of a result depends on the specific HPV, screening and pathology findings, your history, and the recommended follow-up.
A clear, evidence-informed approach
Cervical screening results can be confusing—and information online can be overwhelming. My approach is focused on helping you understand what your results mean, what they don't mean, and what needs to happen next. We can discuss:
HPV and cervical screening results
Colposcopy and biopsy reports
Previous screening history
Questions or concerns about treatment options
Pap or cytology results
Cervical dysplasia or CIN results
Recommended follow-up and surveillance
The goal isn't to replace your gynecologist or colposcopy provider. It's to give you a knowledgeable clinician who can help you understand the process, put your results into context, and feel more confident navigating your care.
What working together looks like
Your appointment is an opportunity to slow things down and make sense of what's happening.
We'll start with your specific results and your questions. I'll explain the terminology in plain language, help you understand the usual next steps, and identify what information or questions may be useful to bring to your physician or specialist.
If further investigation or specialist care is recommended, we'll talk through what that may involve and how you can prepare.
You don't have to figure out your cervical health results on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A positive high-risk HPV test means that a type of HPV associated with cervical cell changes has been detected. It does not mean that you have cervical cancer.
HPV is extremely common, and many infections are cleared by the immune system. What happens next depends on factors such as your screening history, the type of HPV detected, and whether cervical cell changes are present.
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An abnormal Pap means that changes were found in the cervical cells examined during screening. The changes can range from minor abnormalities that may resolve on their own to changes that require closer follow-up.
An abnormal Pap does not mean you have cancer. Your specific result determines what follow-up is recommended.
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Yes. Many HPV infections are temporary and become undetectable over time as the immune system controls the infection.
However, some high-risk HPV infections persist and can contribute to cervical cell changes. That's why recommended screening and follow-up are important—even if you feel completely well.
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The next step depends on your specific result and screening history. Depending on the circumstances, you may be advised to repeat screening after a period of time, have additional testing, or be referred for colposcopy.
If a colposcopy or biopsy is recommended, I can help you understand what the procedure is looking for and how to interpret the terminology in your results.
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Cervical dysplasia describes abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) describes the severity of those changes.
CIN 1 generally represents lower-grade changes, while CIN 2 and CIN 3 represent progressively higher-grade changes that require closer evaluation and management.
The right approach depends on the specific result, your age and health history, and current clinical guidelines. I can help you understand your pathology report and the reasoning behind recommended surveillance or treatment.
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We'll start with your results and your questions.
Depending on your situation, we may review your cervical screening history, HPV results, Pap or pathology reports, previous colposcopy or biopsy results, and recommended follow-up.
I'll help translate the medical terminology into plain language and discuss what questions you may want to ask your physician or specialist.
The goal is for you to leave with a clearer understanding of where you are in the process and what comes next.