Understanding Cervical Dysplasia: Causes, Risk Factors & Detection

Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition in the inner lining of the cervix. Dysplasia can be found through a Pap smear or a cervical biopsy, says Dr. Melissa Condrad Stoppler, an anatomic pathologist. Dysplasia may have several causes.

Infection

• Cervical dysplasia is caused by the human papillomavirus. There are many types of HPV, but only a few are found in a woman̵7;s reproductive tract.

Advancing Age

• Dysplasia is not fully understood by doctors, Stoppler says. However, some physicians believe that advancing in age is a factor that causes cervical dysplasia in women.

Infection

• The duration of an HPV infection may also play a role in the developing of dysplasia. The longer you have HPV, the more likely you are to have precancerous cells.

High-Risk HPV

• There are two types of HPV that are considered to be high-risk infections that cause dysplasia. These types of HPV are the HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Smoking

• If you have HPV, smoking may contribute to the formation of precancerous cells. Any other action that suppresses the immune system may also contribute to dysplasia.