Factors that increase the risk of cervical cell changes (dysplasia)
that can cause an
abnormal Pap test include:
- Being infected with certain high-risk types of
the
human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Being infected
with the
human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV).
- Smoking or having a history of
smoking.
- Sexual intercourse with a partner who is infected with
HPV.
- Starting sexual intercourse at an early age (before age
18).
- Having three or more sex partners in a
lifetime.
- Having sexual intercourse with someone who has had
multiple sex partners.
- Using birth control pills. Studies have
shown that women who use birth control pills for many years have an increased
risk of cervical cell changes.
- Having an
impaired immune system.
- Having multiple
full-term pregnancies (high parity).
- Exposure to
diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, though this is
rare.
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