is it possible to have an abnormal pap simply because of stress?

Not typically. But look too at what was going on at the time of your pap. Were you within a week either way of your period? Did you douche within 48 hours prior? Did you have intercourse within 3 days prior? Were you recently treating an infection that required antibiotics? Did you recently treat a yeast infection?

Any of these things could effect a pap smear, and even if you didn't have an ACTIVE infection, you might have had some irritation to the cervical face that caused an abnormal result.

DO follow up for your pap to make sure it's all ok....if you have a repeat abnormal DO follow up with additional diagnostics. As a cervical cancer survivor, I can tell you first hand that early treatment is ESSENTIAL.

Please, please understand that having HPV doesn't mean you have cancer. The chances are really very small. When I had an abnormal pap years ago I freaked... I didn't tell anyone because I was sure it was cancer and I wanted to 'morn' myself for a bit. When I finally broke down and told my mother it turned out both she and my aunt had the same problem... with *NO* cancer ever showing up. Back when I had this the proceedures were different... I don't know if they ever really did a full out 'biopsy'... they just scraped some cells which they tested and found to be 'precancerous' (I'm guessing that equals HPV... I know it was HPV and so I'm guessing that is what they meant by this term). Then they did a 'freezing treatment' that is no longer done and had me get more frequent paps for the next year or two. It never returned at all and it has been over 10 yrs. Feel free to email if you think chatting more might help... but really that was the end of the story for me and from what I hear that is *very often* the case. :) Hope that helps!

Being under a lot of stress can cause many things, but I don't think it has anything to do with abnormal Pap Smear results. Usually when a person has an abnormal Pap, the doctor will call you to have you come back in and have another test done. HPV (the Human Papilloma Virus) is usually the biggest cause of an abnormal Pap Smear, but it could also indicate the the cells are changing and it could go into cancer. So make sure you followup with your doctor for more tests (there are several they can do to rule out cancerous cells) but unfortunately, HPV can sometimes turn into cancer.

HPV can also be caused when a woman is immuno-suppressant because she has severe Arthritis or another disease of that nature and is on medications for it. Different medications for severe immunosuppressant diseases can definitely change the shape of the cervical cells, so it is important to keep in touch with your doctor. I had one Pap come back abnormal in my early twenties and within six months, it resolved itself without any further tests, medication or operations. This is part of the reason that the FDA came out with the shot to help prevent the HPV virus. Good luck to you and I hope your next Pap is normal. :)

No. The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. These cells cannot be effected due to stress.

It is possible to get a false positive. Pap tests are not always 100 percent correct. False positive and false negative results can happen. This can be upsetting and confusing. A false positive Pap test is when a woman is told she has abnormal cervical cells, but the cells are really normal. If your doctor says your Pap results were a false positive, there is no problem.

A false negative Pap test is when a woman is told her cells are normal, but in fact, there is a problem with the cervical cells that was missed. False negatives delay the discovery and treatment of unhealthy cells of the cervix. But, having regular Pap tests boosts your chances of finding any problems. If abnormal cells are missed at one time, they will probably be found on your next Pap test.

No. You have an abnormal PAP because of a few reasons.

HPV infection, sex within 24 hours of a PAP smear, or a 'false' reading.

You should have another PAP, and you should not have sex for 2 days prior to the PAP.

Not that I know of BUT I do know things like having sex too close to your pap can cause it to come back abnormal. You should speak your your GYN and see what he or she says and suggests.

What do you mean by abnormal? One might have inflammatory cells, yeast, excess bacteria ...

However, an abnormal pap result, which prompts further workup because of cancer concern, is caused by infection.

Good luck.

No. Stress has nothing to do with the cells that are being checked in your body. What the doctor is checking for is to see if you have an cancer cells or abnormalities when it comes to your cells, that you don't have any type of std or an infection.

No. If they find an infections like STDs or cancer that cause to have an abnormal pap.

no it's not, there's something wrong when it comes back abnormal. I had a abnormal pap when i was pg, and i had polyops (sp?) and they had to do a biospy to check for cancer, thank god i didn't have cancer!!