• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Unsatisfactory result
• Low-grade changes
• High-grade changes
• Colposcopy
• Biopsy
• Treatments for high-grade changes
• Pap tests after treatment
• Questions to ask about treatment
• Risks associated with treatment
• Cervical cancer

Questions to ask about treatment

If you have had an abnormal Pap test result, you may find the following questions helpful when talking to your doctor.

1. What exactly does my result mean?
   
   
2. Do I need more tests?
   
   
3. Why do I need a colposcopy?
   
   
4. What does my biopsy show?
   
   
5. What treatment, if any, do you advise and why?
   
   
6. Will I need to rest, and if so, for how long?
   
   
7. Will there be bleeding or discharge, and if so, when will it stop?
   
   
8. Will I need to take time off work, and if so, for how long?
   
   
9. How will this affect my sex life?
   
   
10. How else can I care for myself?
    
    
11. How often will I need further Pap tests or other check-ups?

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