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HPV and Cervical Changes: Simply About What Matters

We explain clearly and concisely what HPV and cervical dysplasia are, how they are connected, and why regular check-ups with your doctor are the most effective way to protect your health

Information for women who care about their health
What is HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common virus — like a “cold” of the skin and mucous membranes. Most sexually active people will contract it at some point in their lives.

It is well established that HPV infection can damage cervical cells, cause abnormal changes, and is the leading cause of cervical cancer1

It is important to distinguish between:
  • Low-risk types – may cause papillomas or warts and often clear on their own
  • High-risk (oncogenic) types – can persist in cervical cells and, over time, lead to cellular changes. The highest-risk types are 16 and 182
Most importantly: in many cases, the immune system clears HPV naturally within 1–2 years. Problems may arise if the virus persists for a long time3

What is cervical dysplasia?

Simply put, dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix, where they deviate from their normal maturation process and no longer look or function as they should3
Grades of dysplasia:3,4
  • Mild dysplasia (LSIL / CIN I):
    minor cellular changes that often resolve on their own, especially in younger women. It is not considered a precancerous condition.
  • Severe dysplasia (HSIL / CIN II–III):
    significant cellular abnormalities. This is a precancerous condition. Without treatment, it may slowly (over years) progress to cervical cancer.

How are HPV
and cervical dysplasia related?

Cause and effect:
long-term persistence of high-risk HPV types (especially 16 and 18) is the main cause of severe cervical dysplasia (CIN II–III)3
The process:
  • the virus enters
    the body
  • infects
    cervical cells
  • disrupts
    their normal function
  • cells begin to change
    dysplasia develops3
Important: Dysplasia = HPV infection in action

Treatment of dysplasia involves removing the tissue that has been altered by the virus5
What risks are important
not to miss?
What helps reduce these risks?1

Treatment Approaches

Based on clinical guidelines

Management depends on the grade of cellular changes:

Mild Dysplasia
(LSIL / CIN I):3,4
Primary approach – observation and medical therapy
Goals:
  • allow the body time to naturally clear the virus and reverse
    the changes it has triggered
  • complete a course of prescribed therapy
    aimed at supporting regression of abnormal cells
Follow-up monitoring (typically for 1.5–2 years) includes:
  • every 6 months – medical examination and Pap smear (oncocytology)
  • Once a year – HPV test
If no regression is observed after 1.5–2 years, surgical treatment may be recommended
Moderate to Severe Dysplasia (HSIL / CIN II–III):3,4
Primary approach – surgical treatment
Goal:
  • remove the abnormal area of the cervical epithelium to prevent progression
Common fertility-preserving methods (organ-sparing):
  • Loop excision (LEEP / LLETZ): removal of the affected tissue using a thin wire loop
  • Conization: cone-shaped excision of abnormal tissue
After removal, the tissue is sent for histological analysis to confirm the diagnosis

Since the risk of recurrence is highest within the first two years after surgical treatment, close follow-up is required during this period. It includes a medical examination, a Pap smear (cytology), and an HPV test:

  • 3 months after treatment
  • then every 6 months for 2 years
With favorable results, follow-up frequency may be reduced to once a year (for up to 20 years)

Why is the follow-up schedule so important?

Regular medical follow-up is essential for a patient’s safety. Its goals depend on the specific clinical situation:

  • In mild dysplasia (LSIL / CIN I):
    to monitor whether the body is clearing the infection and whether the cellular changes are regressing, persisting, or progressing — which may require adjusting the management approach;
  • After treatment of severe dysplasia (CIN II–III):
    to ensure that abnormal cells have been completely removed and to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Key Takeaways for Every Woman1,4

  • HPV is not a sentence
    Almost all sexually active people encounter HPV at some point, and in most cases the immune system clears the virus naturally.
  • Dysplasia is not cancer
    It is a reversible cellular change that can
    and should be monitored.
  • Screening (PAP smear and HPV test)
    is your main protection
    Follow the recommended schedule
    (ages 21–29: cytology every 3 years;
    ages 30–65: cytology + HPV test every 5 years).
  • Treating precancerous conditions
    effectively prevents cancer
    Modern treatments allow management while preserving fertility.
  • Regular follow-up is the key to success
    and peace of mind
    Adhere to your doctor’s recommendations, visit schedule, and prescribed therapy.
Ask your doctor about the available treatment options for cervical dysplasia
When conservative therapy is prescribed, treatments aimed at managing HPV infection are typically used. In Russia, a specialized medicinal product in the form of vaginal suppositories has been developed and has demonstrated its efficacy and safety in the treatment of cervical dysplasia
Sources cited:

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