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Cervical Dysplasia

Overview

This is a change in the cells of your cervix. That's the lower part of your uterus. If you have cervical dysplasia, cells of the cervix begin to show signs that are not normal. They aren't cancer cells, but they may become cancerous over time.

Causes and Risk Factors

Cervical dysplasia is usually caused by a common virus known as "human papillomavirus." We call it "HPV." It spreads through sex. Not all forms of this virus lead to cervical dysplasia, but some do. Other factors increase your risk for cervical dysplasia. These include early sexual activity, a lot of sexual partners, and having a baby before age 16. Your risk is also higher if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are a smoker.

Symptoms

Dysplasia doesn't usually cause symptoms. It's important to have regular pelvic exams so your doctor can watch for changes in these cells.

Treatment

Treatment depends on your needs. If your dysplasia is mild, it may go away on its own without any treatment. But if it gets worse, you'll need treatment to remove the abnormal cells. And, you may benefit from an HPV vaccine, even if you already have the virus. Your healthcare provider can create a plan that's right for you.