- The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common trigger for cervical dysplasia. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that affects women more than men, although it is carried by a man from one woman to another. There is a vaccine available to prevent HPV, although it is not 100-percent effective. If a woman contracts HPV, the vaccine will not stop the disease from causing cervical dysplasia. Almost all Americans who have more than one sexual partner in their lifetime contract HPV at some point because the disease spreads so easily.
- A woman with a history of sexually transmitted diseases is at a higher risk of cervical dysplasia. A woman who has had genital warts or genital herpes is especially at risk of cervical dysplasia. Also, a woman who is HIV-positive is more likely to contract cervical dysplasia due to her suppressed immune system.
- Cervical dysplasia is most common in women who have more than one sexual partner over the course of their lifetime. For this reason, women who become sexually active before the age of 18 or who give birth before age 20 are more likely to have cervical dysplasia. The connection seems to be that early sexual activity generally means that the woman has more than one partner before settling down.
- Another possible risk factor of dysplasia of the cervix is the long-term use of birth control pills. Doctors estimate that a woman who uses birth control for more than five years is more likely to have an abnormal pap smear result, indicating cervical dysplasia. The reason is not clear, although it could be that a woman using birth control over a long period of time is likely to be less careful with other forms of protection, such as condoms.
- Years ago, many woman took a medication called diethylstilbestrol (better known as DES) to help them become pregnant. This medication was considered a wonder drug at the time, yet over the years, many ramifications of using DES have been discovered. One such discovery was that baby girls born to mothers who used this medicine to become pregnant are at a much higher risk of cervical dysplasia.
- A healthy diet is important for many reasons, including lowering a woman's likelihood of developing cervical dysplasia. Women who do not get enough folate or folic acid are at high risk. In addition, scientists are discovering links between cervical dysplasia and vitamins A, E and C, as well as beta carotene and selenium.
