What causes cervical dysplasia?

What causes cervical dysplasia?

You can get cervical dysplasia if you become infected with HPV, a virus that’s spread through sexual contact. In many cases, your immune system will get rid of the virus. Over 100 strains of HPV exist. Some strains, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are more likely to infect your reproductive tract and cause cervical dysplasia.

Scientists estimate that more than 75% of sexually active cisgender women are infected with HPV at some point during their lives. About 50% of HPV infections occur between the ages of 15 and 25. Often, the infections go away without causing permanent problems. In rare cases, abnormal cells form over time, leading to cervical dysplasia.