Symptoms and Complications
The Pap smear is an important test to have because abnormal cells and cancer of the cervix often produce no symptoms. The only symptom commonly seen is vaginal bleeding. This is most likely to occur after sexual intercourse, but any vaginal bleeding outside of normal menstruation should be investigated by a doctor.
Pain or a foul-smelling discharge may appear in late-stage cancer, but if these symptoms appear suddenly and without warning, it's far more likely to be an infection than a tumor. HPV infection typically produces no symptoms at all.