You might be wondering what it means if your regular smear test comes back with cervical cell changes. In this article we explain HPV and abnormal smear results, and set out how supplements to support your immunity can help your body clear the virus faster.

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common infection – 80 per cent of sexually active people will get it at some point in their lives. In fact, more than 2,000 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote up medical notes about genital warts, which are caused by certain types of HPV.

Can my immune system clear HPV on its own?

Yes - it’s reassuring to know most of the time, the body clears HPV on its own within about two years. It can also be in the body in an inactive (dormant) state. As long as our immune system is keeping it in check, HPV is no cause for concern.

What does an abnormal smear test result mean?

An abnormal smear test result means that the virus has breached your body’s first line of defence and has managed to affect some cells of the cervix. These changed cells can grow into abnormal tissue called lesions. This happens to 40-50 per cent of women with HPV.

Your body’s own immune system can also take care of lesions: 60-80 per cent of women will find that early lesions (known as CIN1) will go away within two years of being diagnosed.

Does an abnormal smear test mean I have cancer?

No it doesn’t. As we explain above, most changed cells will go back to normal.

Some changed cells or lesions can develop into cervical cancer over time, if they are not monitored or treated. If you have an abnormal smear result you will be offered a colposcopy.

This is a closer look at the cells of your cervix to see if any of them need to be treated in order to reduce the risk of cancer developing.

What are CIN1, CIN2 and CIN3?

CIN is the most common type of cell changes in the cervix. It stands for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cervical means it affects the cervix.

Intraepithelial means the abnormal cells are on the surface of the cervix and haven’t grown past the surface layer.

Neoplasia means the growth of abnormal cells. CIN is classified according to how much of the surface layer of the cervix is affected by abnormal cells.

• CIN 1 (low grade) - This means abnormal cells affect about a third of the thickness of the surface layer of the cervix.
• CIN 2 (high grade) - This means abnormal cells affect about one- to two-thirds of the surface layer of the cervix. Under the current NHS guideline, you will be offered treatment to remove the cells that have changed to prevent the abnormal cells from persisting and growing further.
• CIN 3 (high grade) - This means abnormal cells affect more than two-thirds of the surface layer of the cervix.

There is a higher risk that CIN 3 could develop into cancer, and you will be offered treatment to remove the cells that have changed to prevent this happening.

What can I do?

Make sure you take up your colposcopy appointment. When they have the results, your healthcare professionals will let you know the stage of your lesions and offer you treatment options. They will suggest removing more developed lesions to reduce your risk.

What can help support my immune system after an abnormal smear?

If your smear test result shows that you have changed or abnormal cells, your immune system is fighting hard to remove these cells and clear the virus from your body.

Your immune system can be compromised by a number of factors: age, general state of health, lifestyle, stress, diet. You can support your immune system by improving your health: follow a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, stay active and take steps to reduce stress. This is especially important if you think your immune system might not be working at its best.

If your age, stress or other health issues are a challenge, you may want to supplement this with a more direct approach, including vaginal gel and food supplement products to support the immune system.

Recommended products

Papilocare® Vaginal Gel

There is only one proactive solution that is proven to work with early-stage lesions, Papilocare®. Papilocare® is applied to and works directly on the cervical-vaginal area, where persistent HPV can sometimes lead to changed, or abnormal, cells. It is a natural (non-hormonal) treatment that is proven in clinical trials to treat HPV-related cervical lesions and clear all strains of the virus within six months, when used as recommended.

Please note that Papilocare® is not a substitute for any treatment recommended by your doctor. It is a treatment based on natural ingredients that will support your immune system to rid your body of HPV.

Papilocare® Immunocaps

A food supplement with a unique formula which works to strengthen the body’s natural defences for women with human papillomavirus (HPV) and other vaginal infections. Can be used alongside Papilocare® vaginal gel.