CIN 1 Results: Understanding Treatment Options for Mild Cervical Dysplasia

When the results CIN 1--also known as mild cervical dysplasia--come back in the results of a Pap smear, it can be alarming and scary. Cervical dysplasia is a pre-cancerous change in cells, and CIN 1 is used to indicate the very beginning stage of those changes. There are several treatment options that are currently available for women today who have mild cervical dysplasia.

Repeat the Pap

• Mistakes are always possible during a Pap, and an infection can also cause false positive results. Many doctors may choose to do another Pap right away to rule this possibility out before moving on to other treatments options.

Colposcopy

• If you get a CIN 1 Pap test result, your doctor may order that you have a colposcopy---which is a more definitive biopsy---to find out more detail about the cell changes taking place.

LEEP Cone Biopsy or Cryosurgery

• These procedures are used to remove the affected areas of the cervical tissue, though they typically are not done unless the Pap results indicate CIN 2 or 3.

Take a Folic Acid Supplement

• There have been many studies that have shown that women who take a regular folic acid supplement heal faster and have fewer abnormal Pap test results than those who do not.

Do Nothing

• Because mild dysplasia has a higher chance of going away on its own, some doctors may choose to do nothing immediately, but rather do another Pap test in 3 to 6 months. If changes have progressed and gotten worse, further action may be taken at that time.

Warning

• If you have had any type of abnormal Pap results, it is extremely important to follow up with your doctor. It may be nothing, but when dealt with early, changes in cervical cells can easily be treated, usually without recurrence.