Hello and thanks for your post

I can appreciate that getting any test result that requires further investigation is worrying. However, in this case it is merely a precaution, it is not because anything serious such as cancer is suspected.

Changes in periods do not affect a cervical screening result. But this is a common thing to happen from time to time and it's often due to hormonal fluctuations.

Cervical screening is carried out to look for abnormal changes on the cells of the cervix. It is done so these abnormal changes can be monitored or treated at an early stage. There is a risk that high grade abnormal changes if not treated can develop into cancer in some, but not all women. Low grade changes (as in your case) are more likely to revert (go back) to normal on their own. 

The next step for you now is to have a colposcopy examination done to have a closer look at the cervix and examine the area of abnormality causing the abnormal smear.

If the colposcopist finds that there is an area that may be abnormal on your cervix a biopsy is taken. This is to have a closer look at the tissue and abnormal cells. Depending on these results another classification system is used to describe the level of abnormality. This is called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). If the low grade dyskaryosis is confirmed on biopsy it is called CIN 1. In this case, you would have a repeat smear in a year. If the biopsy shows CIN 2-3 this equates to moderate to severe dyskaryosis. If you had CIN 2 and 3 you would be offered a treatment to sort out the abnormal area.   

The majority of abnormal cell changes on the cervix detected by cervical screening are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV) This is a common infection and it is estimated that most people who are sexually active will get HPV at some stage in their lives. Most people will have no symptoms and their immune system will clear it up in a year or two without them ever knowing they had it. It is not possible to tell when a person got HPV or  how long they have had it. Abnormal cells caused by HPV can go back to normal if a person’s immune system clears HPV. This is more likely when the changes are low grade.

Cervical screening is very successful so as long as you go along for your appointment and follow the advice given everything should be okay. So please try not to overly worry about this.

I hope this is of use. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene