Abnormal Pap Test: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Most cervical cell changes that cause an abnormal Pap test are the result of sexual transmission of HPV disease. High-risk sexual behaviors by you or your partner at some time, possibly even many years ago, may lead to HPV infection. High-risk sexual behaviors increase your risk of infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

High-risk sexual behaviors include:

• Starting sexual intercourse at an early age (before age 18).
• Having sex without using a condom, which increases your risk of being infected with:
  • High-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Having multiple sex partners in a lifetime.
• Having sexual intercourse with someone who has had multiple sex partners.

Other risk factors that may also play a role in increasing your risk for cervical cell changes include:

• Smoking.
• Using birth control pills without also using condoms to protect against STDs.
• Having an impaired immune system.
• Having multiple full-term pregnancies (high parity).
• Being exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, though this is rare.

If you have had one abnormal Pap test result, you may be at higher risk for having another abnormal Pap test in the future.

Last updated:	January 12, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC