Abnormal pap smears and yeast infections: Is there a link? 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The presence of a yeast infection can cause some cells to appear abnormal. However, these cells are not related to cancer. Yeast infections occur when the amount of Candida albicans, a type of yeast in the vagina, grows out of control. Symptoms usually include itching, burning, and inflammation around the vagina and vulva. A person may also develop a whitish coating around the vagina. This article examines how yeast infections can affect the results of a Pap smear test. It also discusses what to do if a person has a yeast infection before their Pap smear appointment and other factors that can cause abnormal results. Can yeast infections cause an abnormal Pap smear test Share on PinterestAmilciar Gualdron/Getty ImagesA Pap smear samples cells from the cervix to look for any changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), yeast infections can lead to an abnormal Pap smear finding called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap smear result. It means that some of the cells do not appear normal and it is not clear if HPV is the cause. Do yeast infections cause abnormal cells A yeast infection does not cause abnormal cells. However, it can cause some cells to appear abnormal. It is important to note that the abnormal appearance of these cells is not related to cancer. What to do if a person develops a yeast infection before a Pap smear If a person has symptoms of a yeast infection, or is taking medications for a yeast infection, they should inform the doctor before the Pap smear appointment. The doctor may suggest that they rearrange the Pap smear until a person has finished treating the yeast infection. In some cases, a yeast infection may not cause any symptoms, so a person may not know they have it. In this case, the Pap smear result may come back as ASC-US. If this happens, the NCI states that the doctor may perform an HPV test if they did not do this previously to determine if the abnormal result is due to HPV. Learn more about treating a yeast infection here. Can Pap smear tests cause a yeast infection Vaginitis refers to the inflammation of the vagina that can occur due to a disruption of the vaginal microbiome. A yeast infection is a type of vaginitis. According to an older 2011 study, the risk of developing vaginitis may rise slightly in the 7 weeks following a Pap smear test. This may happen due to the use of lubricant and the speculum, which could alter the balance of vaginal organisms. However, more research is necessary to establish a definite risk. What else causes abnormal Pap smears The NCI states that the following can cause abnormal Pap smear results:vaginal irritationgrowths, such as polyps in the uterushormonal changes that occur during menopause or pregnancy The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend avoiding the following before a Pap smear:douchingusing a tamponsexual activitybirth control jelly, foam, or creammedications in the vagina Pap smear results and what they mean Pap smear results may return one of several results:Normal: There is no sign of cancer, pre-cancer, or other abnormalities. Unsatisfactory Pap test results: There may not have been enough of a sample, or there may have been blood or mucus hiding the cells. A healthcare professional will request a second screening within 2–4 months.Abnormal: There are changes to the cervical cells. It is important to note that this does not mean a person has cancer. Abnormal results include:ASC-USatypical glandular cells (AGC), which means that there were some abnormal glandular cellslow-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), which usually means that HPV has caused low-grade changeshigh-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), which means that moderately or severely abnormal cervical cells were presentatypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), which means that abnormal cells were present that could be HSILadenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), which means there is an advanced area of abnormal growth on the cervixcervical cancer cells Learn more about Pap smears and when to have one here. Summary A yeast infection can cause some cells to appear abnormal, which means that the results of a Pap smear come back as ASC-US. However, this is not an indication of cervical cancer. There may also be a slight increased risk of a person developing a yeast infection following a Pap smear due to the introduction of the speculum and lubricant to the vaginal microbiome. If a person has a yeast infection when they are due a Pap smear, they should contact the doctor to discuss rearranging the appointment. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022Cervical Cancer / HPV VaccineMedical Devices / DiagnosticsWomen's Health / Gynecology 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Next steps after and abnormal cervical cancer screening test: Understanding HPV and Pap test results. (2022).https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/understanding-abnormal-hpv-and-pap-test-resultsTiernstra, J. D., et al. (2011). Genitourinary infections after a routine pelvic exam.https://www.jabfm.org/content/24/3/296Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview. (2019).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220What is a yeast infection? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/vaginitis/what-yeast-infectionWhat should I know about screening? (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htmFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.D. — By Sarah Charmley on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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