About this topic
Dysplasia is another name for abnormal cells. Cervical dysplasia means the cells on the top of your cervix are not normal. The cervix is a part of your uterus that opens at the top of the vagina. Abnormal cells do not mean you have cancer, but the cells may lead to cancer if you do not have proper care. The abnormal cells are most often caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. The cells may also be grouped as: ‚
- Low-grade (LSIL), CIN 1 or mild dysplasia
- High-grade (HSIL), CIN 2 or moderate dysplasia
- Possibly cancerous (malignant), CIN 3 or severe dysplasia to carcinoma in situ
There are treatments for abnormal cells that do not go away. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says you need to do.
- If you had a biopsy, you may feel sore for a few days. Your doctor will give you drugs to relieve the pain.
- You may have bleeding and dark discharge for a few days. Use sanitary pads instead of tampons.
- Do not douche.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. Sometimes, the problem returns or gets worse.
- If the cells are cancerous, you will have other treatment.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Wait to have sex until after you are fully healed if you have had a biopsy. Your doctor will tell you when it is OK to have sex or use tampons. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Genital warts
- Problems during pregnancy
- Cancer of the cervix
- Other HPV-related cancers
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Ask your doctor for the HPV vaccine.
- Practice safe sex. Always use a condom when having sex.
- Limit the number of sex partners you have.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Very heavy bleeding
- Very bad belly pain
- Discharge from your vagina has a bad smell
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to manage any bleeding or vaginal discharge.
- I can tell you what I will do if I had very bad bleeding or very bad belly pain.
Where can I learn more?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm ‚
College of American Pathologists ‚
http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/dysplasia.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚