My Daughter has Moderate Dysplasia!

My daughter is almost 19 years old and about 7 months ago had an abnormal pap smear. Results came back okay. She recently had another pap and now the dr says she has moderate dysplasia. We go in next Thursday for another biopsy. Dr said at that time she will go over what we need to do. I am terribly afraid. I had a hysterectomy in 2001 and I dont want her to go thru that at such a young age. Any help would be appreciated.

hello, elizabeth. i'm sorry to hear that your daughter is dealing with cervical dysplasia. perhaps the colposcopy and biopsies will show something less serious than the pap results. and, if she does need treatment, there are many less major procedures that are often done very successfully before she'd need a hysterectomy. it's good that she's going for her regular paps, and hopefully she knows that she'll need to keep up with them, even after this dysplasia is treated. and, she's got youth in her favor - her immune system is strong, and just needs to be made even stronger, and perhaps she can clear any dysplasia that develops, in addition to keeping the hpv infections away (i'm assuming you know that it's hpv that causes cervical cancer/dysplasia). it's great that she has you for support!

there are many treatments besides hysterectomy for the hpv virus. she can have normal paps for years and have one show dysplasia here and there..and it never turn into cervical cancer. having regular paps every 6-12 months is very important. i had mild dysplasia show up on my last pap and had cryosurgery in november. my last abnormal pap was many many years ago. my dr told me not to worry about it at all and to return in 6 months for another pap. also, i believe there is a blood test for hpv now..so you can get a definite diagnosis. good luck to her..i'm sure she'll be fine.

to Hystersisters!

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter has moderate dysplasia. I'm sure you must be very concerned about her, and she's very lucky to have you looking around for information for her!

I had my first abnormal PAP at age 23 (carcinoma-in-situ) and it was treated with a cone biopsy. I did well and had normal PAP's for the next 10 years. Approximately 90% of women are considered "cured" after a cone or LEEP (the abnormal cells do not return, though the virus remains). It was highly unusual that mine returned after such a long period of time.

HPV is a VERY common virus. It is estimated that 80% of women have been exposed to it. Most will develop an immunity to it within 2 years. So the chances are very good that your daughter will be treated and then never have any more problems. But it is extremely important that she continue to have regular PAP's--even once this is over.

Wishing your daughter well. Please invite her to join us--even if it's just to read information.