Cervical dysplasia, characterized by abnormal and possibly precancerous cells in the cervix, is often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD), contracted by most people within their lifetimes. In the majority of male and female cases, the immune system prevents HPV from causing any negative symptoms. Of the women who do develop dysplasia and HPV, many are treated without developing any cancerous complications, thanks to early detection through routine Pap smears.
Not every case of dysplasia and HPV will develop into cervical cancer without treatment; the body is often able to correct abnormal cell growths on its own. Nevertheless, just to be sure that dysplasia and HPV don't develop into cervical cancer, most doctors will encourage patients to undergo some kind of procedure to remove any questionable tissue. Treatment may include undergoing a closer examination of the cervix with a high-powered microscope, a procedure called a colposcopy, and removing cervical tissue containing abnormal cells, such as with a cone biopsy or LEEP procedure.
Dysplasia and HPV can easily be detected by getting an annual Pap smear. Without a Pap smear, dysplasia could go unnoticed until it develops into cervical cancer. By relying on the modern methods for early detection, dysplasia and HPV are very easy to catch in the early stages of development. Doctors who detect dysplasia and HPV early on are able to treat the vast majority of cases with complete success.
Aside from getting a routine Pap smear to detect signs of dysplasia and HPV, women can also receive HPV vaccines which protect against the most dangerous strains of the virus. Cervarix and Gardasil are the two most prominent vaccines available on the market. Gardasil not only helps prevent cervical cancer, it also helps prevent genital warts caused by HPV. Males, who can also develop genital warts, are likewise eligible for receiving the Gardasil vaccine. HPV vaccines are often encouraged in young people who haven't yet begun sexual activity to protect against HPV before becoming sexually active.
It's very difficult to trace from where one contracted HPV, as the virus is incredibly easy to spread and may remain dormant in a person for years before any symptoms develop. Thus, developing cervical dysplasia isn't necessarily an indicator that HPV was only recently contracted. In most cases, HPV is adequately handled by one's immune system. The virus can, however, flair up after a long period of dormancy, often due to stress or illness.
