Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar

Author:Rosemary Gladstar
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Touchstone

Cervical Dysplasia

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As is so often the case in many reproductive problems, no one really knows what causes cervical dysplasia—nor what “cures” it. In medical terms, it is termed an idiopathic disease, a disease of unknown origins, though there does seem to be some indication that women exposed to synthetic hormones (like daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy) are more susceptible to dysplasia. Also, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, such as vaginal warts, herpes, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, may make one more susceptible. Many of the reports I have read about cervical dysplasia link it to multiple sexual partners.

I’m sure there is no simple answer to a problem so complex as cervical dysplasia. We find it much easier to understand and accept a disease if there is a germ or a virus it can be pinned on rather than having to look to the world as a whole and our relationship with it as the “holistic” cause of the problem. Many of the illnesses we experience are a result of our environment, of our mental and emotional states, and are but reflections of the times we live in.

Cervical dysplasia has only been recognized as a condition since the advent of the pap smear, because without a pap smear it is not detectable. Dysplasia means abnormal cell growth in the cervix. Because cervical dysplasia is often considered a precancerous condition, being diagnosed with CD can create great anxiety in women. But dysplasia is not cancer and generally does not develop into cancer. In its most advanced stages it indicates a tendency toward cancer, but in its early stages the cells often return to normal of their own accord.

The abnormal cervical cells are generally classified according to the degree of their abnormality and are rated on a scale of I to V. Class I is considered a normal or “negative” pap smear. Class II is considered atypical and indicates that there are some abnormalities. Class III is considered “suspicious.” About 30–50 percent of the women with a Class III pap smear may develop cervical cancer. If cancerous cells have already established themselves in the cervix, the pap smear tests will be classified as “positive” and labeled Class IV and V, depending on the severity of the condition.

When getting a pap smear, it is important to be aware that there can be some variation in the test results. There has been so much publicity about these errors recently that pathology labs are making a concerted effort to correct the problem. I have had several friends who have had pap smears done within a few days of each other and each test shows a different class of dysplasia. One close friend was diagnosed as having a Class III dysplasia after a routine pap smear. Needless to say, she was very concerned. On the recommendation of her doctor, she returned a few days later to the same lab and had another test. The diagnosis this time was a Class I. The reason for

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