10/19/2026
MYTH MONDAY 🤔
"If I have an abnormal Pap smear, then I automatically have to have what's called a colposcopy..."
❌ FALSE!
Not all abnormal Pap smears require an immediate colposcopy!
In fact, there are several circumstances where your Pap smear may technically be abnormal, but current guidelines recommend simply repeating your Pap smear in one year!
So how do we decide?
We look at the WHOLE picture:
✔️ Your age
✔️ Your current Pap smear results
✔️ Your high-risk HPV status
✔️ Your previous Pap smear and HPV history
✔️ Any history of abnormal cells or treatments
We then put all of this information together to determine the safest, most appropriate follow-up plan for YOU!
The takeaway? An abnormal Pap smear does NOT automatically mean you need a colposcopy!
Sometimes close surveillance is the safest approach, while other situations require further evaluation.
💜 Individualized care matters. Guidelines matter. And your history matters!