Sexual Health - Women Forum - Can I test for HPV with a pap smear ?

Womens Health > Sexual Health - Women Forum > Can I test for HPV with a pap smear ?

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Q: Can I test for HPV with a pap smear ?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on July 2nd, 2007

I have found my records going back 20 years showing my pap smear had no cellular changes. The smear consisted of normal-appearing epithelial cells.

As, I also had a pap smear five years ago coming back negative, and I have not even had sex with my late husband, how is it possible that I could be the carrier of HPV?

My boyfriend for the past ten months is now laying this trip on me that it must be me who gave it to him. He says he is totally clean, having been checked for STD's eight months ago. Also, his wife had a normal pap smear four years ago when their daughter was born. His other girlfriend says she was just tested and is clear.

However, I have not seen those medical reports and because this man is unable to tell the truth, I need to ask the question - how long have laboratories been able to test for HPV in a pap smear?

I feel a lot of pressure inside my vagina in the place where I have an orgasm. I don't know if it is missing this man or something more. What?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 8th, 2007

Sexual Health - Women Answer A3101

A pap-test can’t reveal an HPV-infection. Pap-tests can reveal some cell changes (dysplasions) that might be caused by HPV. Dysplasions are precancerous conditions that can turn into cancer. Some serotypes of the Human papiloma virus (HPV) are accused of causing cervical dysplasions that can progress to cervical cancer. An HPV-infection can be proven by detecting viral DNA with PCR-test in the smears taken from the cervix.

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