Symptom of Cervical Dysplasia

The symptom of cervical dysplasia can be identified only by a qualified health care provider. This condition, which is characterized by pathological changes in the cervical epithelium, usually does not cause obvious symptoms. Cervical dysplasia is localized on the cervix, inside the vagina, and woman may be unaware that she has this condition. In order to diagnose this condition doctors resort to various tests performed during pelvic examination.

The diagnosis of cervical dysplasia signifies that epithelial cells of the cervix undergo unusual changes. These changes show themselves as deviations from the norm in size and shape of the cells. The symptom of cervical dysplasia can be detected during the analysis of cervical cells sample under the microscope. To evaluate cervical cells and tissues, such diagnostic procedures as Pap smear, colposcopy and biopsy are normally used.

Pap smear is a test, used for cervical diseases screening, which is performed for cytological analysis of cervix cells. This test includes taking the sample of squamous and glandular cells of the cervix and analyzing them in the lab. The symptom of cervical dysplasia can be identified with this test, but an accurate diagnosis of the condition most often requires supplementary evaluation of the cervix. Therefore, if Pap smear is suggestive of cervical abnormalities, doctors prescribe to have a colposcopy.

Colposcopy is a standard diagnostic procedure for women with a symptom of cervical dysplasia discovered by Pap smear. During this procedure, doctor observes the cervix under colposcope which allows to examine suspicious areas in details. Colposcopic examination may be accompanied by the application of special solutions on the cervix.

In case the dysplastic lesion is detected, the doctor may consider that it is necessary to take a tissular sample for histological analysis. This diagnostic procedure is called biopsy. The obtained material is sent to the laboratory where it is investigated by a pathologist. Besides cytological, colposcopic and histological examinations, women having a symptom of cervical dysplasia are referred for HPV testing since cervical dysplasia associated with HPV is more likely to progress into cancer.

Due to a typically asymptomatic course of cervical dysplasia, regular screening for cervical abnormalities is important for every woman. It is recommended to undergo Pap smear at least once a year. It should be noted that Pap smear helps not only to recognize a symptom of cervical dysplasia, but also to find other diseases of cervix and vagina.