Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Guide
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a condition that causes abnormal cell growth (neoplasia) on the outer lining of yourcervixknown as the intraepithelial tissue. CIN is also sometimes also called cervical dysplasia.
While it requires some medical intervention, CIN doesn’t usually cause symptoms. There are complications that can occur, though, if these noncancerous cells go undetected and are left with the opportunity to multiply or mutate (change). This is why getting routinePap smearsis such an important part of preventive healthcare. Only a Pap smear can see the signs of CIN.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
CIN is usually thought of as asymptomatic (without symptoms). However, there is an association between CIN and bleeding after penetrative sex (known as postcoital bleeding, or PCB).
A 2019 limited-sample study conducted in Israel suggests that bleeding after sex may be a sign of the following:
Diagnosis was throughcolposcopy, a simple procedure used to examine the cervix.
What Causes Bleeding After Sex and How is It Treated?
Signs of CIN From a Pap Smear
Pap SmearA brief, routine procedure where cells from the cervix are removed with a small brush or spatula. These cells are then examined under a microscope to check for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
Pap Smear
A brief, routine procedure where cells from the cervix are removed with a small brush or spatula. These cells are then examined under a microscope to check for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
Your Pap smear, or Pap test, results will determine whether or not you have cell abnormalities or lesions on your cervix known assquamous intraepithelial lesions, or SILs. In many cases, these lesions will clear away on their own as your body’s natural defenses destroy them. Other times, the cells may have spread already so further medical intervention may be necessary.
The cell sample findings from your Pap smear are categorized based on how far they have spread across your outer cervical lining, known as intraepithelial tissue, and based on yourrisk factors for human papillomavirus or HPV(the sexually transmitted infection that causes CIN) or cervical cancer.
The signs will be categorized as follows:
The three grade levels include:
What Is an Abnormal Pap Test Result?According to the National Cancer Institute, an abnormal finding (also called a positive result) doesn’t automatically mean you have cervical cancer.Still, following through with doctor recommendations—like getting a colposcopy and a biopsy—is necessary. Your healthcare provider can determine the total level of risk in your personal situation and the next appropriate steps.
What Is an Abnormal Pap Test Result?
According to the National Cancer Institute, an abnormal finding (also called a positive result) doesn’t automatically mean you have cervical cancer.Still, following through with doctor recommendations—like getting a colposcopy and a biopsy—is necessary. Your healthcare provider can determine the total level of risk in your personal situation and the next appropriate steps.
What Is a Pap Smear?
Most of the time there are no complications associated with CIN since it doesn’t often progress to cervical cancer.Your immune system may fight the infection and make it resolve. If for some reason it doesn’t, you can rest assured that there are many intervention strategies and treatments to fight it.
Common options to reduce complications include removing the cells or destroying them so healthy cells can replace them. These treatments can even be used in later disease stages, in which the diseased cells have spread.
Most Common ComplicationsThe biggest concern and complication associated with CIN is HPV and cervical cancer.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 91% of cervical cancer cases are linked to a type of HPV.There are more than 80 types of human papillomavirus and about 30 of these can infect the cervix.HPV types 16 and 18 are most often linked to cervical cancer.
Most Common Complications
The biggest concern and complication associated with CIN is HPV and cervical cancer.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 91% of cervical cancer cases are linked to a type of HPV.There are more than 80 types of human papillomavirus and about 30 of these can infect the cervix.HPV types 16 and 18 are most often linked to cervical cancer.
The biggest concern and complication associated with CIN is HPV and cervical cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 91% of cervical cancer cases are linked to a type of HPV.There are more than 80 types of human papillomavirus and about 30 of these can infect the cervix.HPV types 16 and 18 are most often linked to cervical cancer.
People with weakened immune systems (including those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS are at greater risk of experiencing complications because they may be less able to fight off HPV. They may also be more likely to develop health problems from HPV.
If you experience postcoital bleeding, whether it’s once in a while or all the time after engaging in penetrative sexual activity, see your doctor to begin the process of getting an accurate diagnosis.
You should also be have regular Pap tests. Here’s what the National Cancer Institute’s 2020 Guidelines recommend based on your age group.
Screening RecommendationsAges 21–24No screening25–29HPV test every 5 years (preferred); HPV/Pap co-test every 5 years (acceptable); Pap test every 3 years (acceptable)30–65HPV test every 5 years (preferred); HPV/Pap co-test every 5 years (acceptable); Pap test every 3 years (acceptable)65+No screening if a series of prior tests were normalBased on ageWhile your doctor can test you for HPV in their office, there are also at-home HPV tests available. If you have HPV, it is recommended that you see a doctor to discusstreatment options.A Word From VerywellChances are you’re not going to notice any signs or symptoms of CIN. This is why it’s important to get tested in accordance with the guidelines listed above. This way, if you ever do have CIN, your healthcare provider can catch it in its early stages and determine next steps.Remember, if you have questions, you can always contact your healthcare provider or women’s clinic to discuss whether or not it’s time for you to get a Pap or HPV test.Frequently Asked QuestionsCIN is diagnosed through a Pap test at a doctor’s office and an HPV test that can be performed at the same time or at home.Symptoms are rare in CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3. Most people with a cervix will not experience symptoms with CIN, which is why cervical screening is so necessary. Postcoital bleeding is one sign of CIN.CIN 3 is not cancer but should still be treated with the seriousness of any other medical condition as it has the potential to spread and turn into cancer if left untreated.How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?
While your doctor can test you for HPV in their office, there are also at-home HPV tests available. If you have HPV, it is recommended that you see a doctor to discusstreatment options.
A Word From Verywell
Chances are you’re not going to notice any signs or symptoms of CIN. This is why it’s important to get tested in accordance with the guidelines listed above. This way, if you ever do have CIN, your healthcare provider can catch it in its early stages and determine next steps.
Remember, if you have questions, you can always contact your healthcare provider or women’s clinic to discuss whether or not it’s time for you to get a Pap or HPV test.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCIN is diagnosed through a Pap test at a doctor’s office and an HPV test that can be performed at the same time or at home.Symptoms are rare in CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3. Most people with a cervix will not experience symptoms with CIN, which is why cervical screening is so necessary. Postcoital bleeding is one sign of CIN.CIN 3 is not cancer but should still be treated with the seriousness of any other medical condition as it has the potential to spread and turn into cancer if left untreated.
CIN is diagnosed through a Pap test at a doctor’s office and an HPV test that can be performed at the same time or at home.
Symptoms are rare in CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3. Most people with a cervix will not experience symptoms with CIN, which is why cervical screening is so necessary. Postcoital bleeding is one sign of CIN.
CIN 3 is not cancer but should still be treated with the seriousness of any other medical condition as it has the potential to spread and turn into cancer if left untreated.
How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cohen O, Schejter E, Agizim R, Schonman R, Chodick G, Fishman A, Klement AH.Postcoital bleeding is a predictor for cervical dysplasia.PLOS ONE.14(5):e0217396. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217396National Cancer Institute.Cervical cancer prevention (pdq®)–patient version.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Many Cancers Are Linked with HPV Each Year?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts human papillomavirus.National Cancer Institute.Acs’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines explained.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cohen O, Schejter E, Agizim R, Schonman R, Chodick G, Fishman A, Klement AH.Postcoital bleeding is a predictor for cervical dysplasia.PLOS ONE.14(5):e0217396. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217396National Cancer Institute.Cervical cancer prevention (pdq®)–patient version.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Many Cancers Are Linked with HPV Each Year?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts human papillomavirus.National Cancer Institute.Acs’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines explained.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cohen O, Schejter E, Agizim R, Schonman R, Chodick G, Fishman A, Klement AH.Postcoital bleeding is a predictor for cervical dysplasia.PLOS ONE.14(5):e0217396. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217396National Cancer Institute.Cervical cancer prevention (pdq®)–patient version.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Many Cancers Are Linked with HPV Each Year?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts human papillomavirus.National Cancer Institute.Acs’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines explained.
Cohen O, Schejter E, Agizim R, Schonman R, Chodick G, Fishman A, Klement AH.Postcoital bleeding is a predictor for cervical dysplasia.PLOS ONE.14(5):e0217396. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217396
National Cancer Institute.Cervical cancer prevention (pdq®)–patient version.
Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Many Cancers Are Linked with HPV Each Year?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts human papillomavirus.
National Cancer Institute.Acs’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines explained.
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What Is Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia?Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: Signs, Symptoms, and ComplicationsCervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN): Causes and Risk Factors
What Is Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia?
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN): Causes and Risk Factors
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