Improvement in cervical dysplasia associated with folic acid therapy in users of oral contraceptives

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, volume 35, issue 1, outlined a study from Butterworth, Hatch, Gore, Krumdieck, and Mueller, that discussed a double-blind trial, where 47 young women with mild or moderate cervical dysplasia received either folic acid (10 mg) or a placebo (ascorbic acid, 10 mg) daily for 3 months while continuing oral contraceptives. The cervical smears and biopsies were blindly scored, revealing that folate-supplemented subjects had significantly better mean biopsy scores than unsupplemented subjects (2.28 vs. 2.92, p < 0.05). Folate supplementation also improved final versus initial cytology scores in treated subjects (1.95 vs. 2.32, p < 0.05), while placebo scores remained unchanged. Before treatment, oral contraceptive users had lower red cell folate concentrations than nonusers, and dysplasia further reduced these levels. Morphological features of megaloblastosis associated with cervical dysplasia improved with folic acid supplementation. The study suggests a reversible, localized folate metabolism derangement may be misdiagnosed as cervical dysplasia or is part of the dysplastic process, potentially improved by oral folic acid supplementation. This research underscores the importance of nutritional support in maintaining cervical health and preventing the progression of cervical cancer. Regular cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap smear tests, and HPV prevention through vaccination are essential for early detection and effective management of cervical dysplasia. Read more here.