Getting a sexual health screening is a responsible, proactive step. Whether it's part of a routine checkup or a specific test after a potential exposure, you deserve to understand what those results actually mean. A „normal“ or „negative“ result can offer relief, but certain findings require a second look and a conversation with your healthcare provider. Here are three expert-backed warning signs that your sexual health screening results need follow-up — and what to do about them.
1. An ‚Abnormal‘ Pap Smear or Cervical Screening Result
If you’ve had a Pap smear (or a cervical screening test that looks for HPV), seeing the word „abnormal“ on your results sheet can feel alarming. It’s important to know that this is very common and rarely means cancer. An abnormal result typically means that some cervical cells have changed, often due to a high-risk strain of human papillomavirus (HPV). Most HPV infections clear on their own, but persistent high-risk types can lead to cervical cell changes that need monitoring or treatment.
What this means for you: Don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Your provider will recommend next steps based on the specific abnormality. This might include a repeat Pap test in six to twelve months, an HPV test, or a colposcopy (a closer look at your cervix). Skipping follow-up is the biggest risk; acting on it allows for early intervention if needed.
2. A Positive Result for a Curable STI — But You Have No Symptoms
Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, are often asymptomatic. You can be infected and spread the infection to partners without ever noticing a single symptom. A positive screening result for a bacterial STI is a clear warning sign that requires prompt treatment, even if you feel perfectly fine.
Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. Treatment is straightforward (usually a course of antibiotics), but the key is finishing the full prescription and getting retested as recommended.
What this means for you: Follow your provider’s treatment plan exactly. This includes taking all medication as directed, abstaining from sex until you and your partner(s) have completed treatment, and notifying recent partners. Your clinic may offer expedited partner therapy (EPT) to help protect your partner’s health. Retesting three to six months after treatment is also standard.
3. Inconclusive or Borderline Results for HIV or Syphilis
HIV and syphilis tests can sometimes produce results that aren’t clearly positive or negative. These are called reactive, indeterminate, or equivocal results. They don’t mean you have the infection, but they do mean the screening test detected something that needs confirmation with a more specific test (like a Western blot for HIV or a treponemal test for syphilis).
What this means for you: An inconclusive result is not a diagnosis — but it is a red flag that requires immediate follow-up. Do not wait. Your provider will order confirmatory testing, and results usually come back within a few days to a week. In the meantime, it’s wise to avoid sexual activity until you have a clear answer, to prevent any possible transmission.
A final perspective: Your sexual health screening is only as valuable as your understanding of it. If any result — whether abnormal, positive for a curable infection, or inconclusive — makes you uneasy, that feeling is worth listening to. Always ask for a clear explanation, and never hesitate to seek a second opinion if something doesn’t sit right. Your health and peace of mind are worth that conversation.
