My g/f had a pap smear a few months ago, which came back slightly abnormal. A repeat was done 1 month ago with the same result. When a GYN/GYN-Oncologist performed colposcopy she mentioned that sometimes older women just simply develop the HPV. I was always with the understanding that HPV was an STI, but it could lie dormant for a number of years. The Dr. advised that if the results came back slightly abnormal again, a repeat pap would be done in 1 year, but if it was normal; it would be 3 yrs.
So again, my question is...can HPV just turn up in an older woman. ??? I find this to be very odd.
I've also heard thatd there can be cell changes as a woman gets older