Abnormal pap smears

When it comes to pap smears for women, abnormal is very common, and gynecologists typically ask you to repeat the test in three months without any treatment in between.

by Dr. Teresa Ramsey — 

“Abnormal” is never a word you want to hear from your doctor. However, when it comes to pap smears for women, abnormal is very common, and gynecologists typically ask you to repeat the test in three months without any treatment in between.

The reason this occurs so frequently is related to our higher level of stress, poor nutritional habits and common use of birth control pills — all of which significantly deplete the body’s B-vitamin stores and antioxidant levels.

Another common cause is human papilloma virus (HPV), which is the virus responsible for vaginal warts. Although many women who have this diagnosis never have visible lesions or warts, some may experience painful intercourse. Other women have absolutely no symptoms at all. Once contracted, HPV will never go away. It lives in the body and is considered an opportunistic infection, as it only rears its ugly head when the opportunity exists — when our immune system is compromised from stress, poor nutrition, poor sleep habits and poor lifestyle habits like smoking.

While waiting the three months to recheck your pap smear, there are many things you can do. First, monitor and decrease your stress level, make sure you are getting plenty of rest and stay well hydrated. Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables with each meal, and increase your intake of B-vitamins, especially B-12, folic acid and B-5, as well as antioxidants like vitamin C, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin E.

Lastly, think of ways you can connect to your female body with total love and acceptance of its absolute perfection!

Dr. Theresa Ramsey is co-owner of the Center for Natural Healing in Paradise Valley, Ariz., where she has a family practice. Her specialty is functional medicine, which explores the cause or path to dis-ease, and therapies designed to enhance cellular, glandular and bodily functions. [email protected] or 480-970-0077.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 1, February/March 2007.