I have heard that no one really knows where dysplasia comes from. I just want more information before I go in for my checkup before treatment. By the way, this didn't show up on my Pap smear four years ago, and I have had the same partner this whole time. Dear Reader, Yearly Pap smears allow us to keep tabs on cervical cell growth. We can see if they are growing and replacing themselves in a healthy manner, or if the cell growth has become abnormal.
Dysplasia means abnormal cell growth anywhere in the body.
In your case, this abnormal growth has occurred on your cervix. The more severe the dysplasia, the more likely it is to progress to cancer. Mild dysplasia may resolve on its own, without any treatment. Although you've been with the same person for the past four years, and your last Pap was normal, HPV could have gone undetected before. It is important to have a Pap smear annually so that abnormalities can be detected early.