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General health

Hpv virus after cervical smear test, I don't understand ?

21 replies

Flippinlife72 · 08/10/2016 14:47

I have had an abnormal smear test, the letter said I have the hpv virus! Then I started reading about it being sexually transmitted?! I've been with my fiancé for 5 years and last smear was ok, can it really be that long before it shows up, we both had other sexual partners before that obviously, but does that mean either one of us could of caught it before, I'm confused? Anyone know anything about this? X

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Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016 · 08/10/2016 14:52

It is not an sti.
It is it caught by women who have had sex tho.
No cases of nuns with hpv!
In order for a woman to get cervical cancer she has to have had the virus.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL GET CANCER!!!
It means you will be offered treatment to prevent the virus ever escalating to the point of concern.
Big big massive steps away from the big c so don't be alarmed.
I had a smear last month and got this info.

yeOldeTrout · 08/10/2016 14:56

does that mean either one of us could of caught it before

Yes, that's possible. Previous smears may have missed the HPV
Are you worried that Ur fiancee has cheated on U?

Neverenoughspoons · 08/10/2016 14:57

My understanding was that they've only just started testing for it. So you may have already had it when your last smear was done.

lottieandmia · 08/10/2016 14:58

I thought that a high number of sexually active people carry HPV? I think, but I am not sure that it can develop at any time - correct me if I'm wrong.

CoteDAzur · 08/10/2016 14:59

Well, obviously HPV infection is an STD, and HPV causes the vast majority of cervical cancer cases.

What level is your dysplasia? CIN I, CIN II, or CIN III?

When was the last time you had a smear and what was the result then?

lottieandmia · 08/10/2016 15:02

I've had borderline smears but no HPV detected.

I've just read that most sexually active men and women have HPV at some point in their lives.

CoteDAzur · 08/10/2016 15:11

What do you mean "borderline smears"? CIN I?

Sipperskipper · 08/10/2016 15:16

Pretty sure this is a v new test in most areas- certainly is where I live- they never used to test for hpv. Also, it can lay dormant in your system for ages before it shows up, hence the advice that even people in long term relationships or who haven't had sex for years still attend regular screening. Please don't worry!

plannedshock · 08/10/2016 15:17

My last smear was borderline abnormalities with positive for hpv. Went for colposcopy all good. Basically most women will have hpv in their life, the body usually gets rid of it all by itself and unless you coincidentally have a smear you would be none the wiser. Don't google things and scare yourself, go for the colposcopy that you will no doubt be offered and you can actually watch while they do it and they can physically see any immediate things that need addressing.

BonnieBlueButler · 08/10/2016 15:55

I've just had exactly the same OP. I went for the coloscopy on Thursday. No treatment needed.

The lovely nurse explained that HPV can lie dormant for years and that most sexually active people will have it at some point. Please don't worry too much or jump to conclusions.

Flippinlife72 · 08/10/2016 15:59

Ohh all news to me, I've never had an abnormal test! What is the colposcopy like? Is it painful? Just so I'm prepared.

I never really thought about whether my fiancé cheated on me but I am 99.9% sure he hasn't I trust him completely, and I certainly haven't. Will he have to be tested too?

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lottieandmia · 08/10/2016 16:02

A borderline smear is not CIN I - it's somewhere between normal and that. I had two borderline smears and then my last one was normal. I'm due my next one this year (3 years after the last one). If you have a borderline smear, no action is taken except to follow up every 6 months with another until you (hopefully) get a normal one.

BonnieBlueButler · 08/10/2016 16:02

Colposcopy is no more uncomfortable than a smear. I found it quite interesting actually as you get to see parts of yourself you never normally see!

As far as I understand it, men aren't tested. Women are only tested when they have an abnormal smear. I don't think there are any ill effects of HPV for a man.

Flippinlife72 · 08/10/2016 16:33

Oh it's all come as a bit of a shock, thanks for explaining the best u can everyone x

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MrsMushrooms · 08/10/2016 16:36

HPV is seriously common and not in itself necessarily a problem. It's also not something they've always tested for so I guess that's why they didn't pick it up in the past! I wouldn't worry about it :)

anotherdayanothersquabble · 08/10/2016 17:49

HPV testing as part of the pap smear was rolled out in July this year so I would expect many more people to have similar results in the future. Many people have HPV without ever having cervical cancer.

Shesgotelectricboobs · 08/10/2016 18:00

flippin I've literally just (last month) been through this.

Borderline abnormalities with hpv present.

Colposcopy was weird. It didn't hurt. But was strange. Feet in stirrups camera up your foof (you get the option to watch on the screen - weird!!! But couldn't not look!) they dab a solution onto your cervix and watch what happens. I had to have a sample taken out (don't watch that bit if you have to it looked like they took loads! In reality no bigger than a match head). Then that was it.

Don't wear white pants on colposcopy day. The dye is purple. And because things go up it all gets irritated and dischargy. Which is purple. And is a bugger to get out of your pants true story

If you have to have a sample taken then be prepared for cramping afterwards like pms cramps.

I waited for 20 minutes for mine and it was over in 10.

Results are back and all fine.

The hpv apparently is something that can come and go.

NotCitrus · 08/10/2016 18:10

There's lots of strains of HPV, about 4 out of 70+ can cause cervical cancer, but we've only recently become able to test for them first rather than looking the changes in cells that would be the next step in thinking about getting cancer.
It's almost unknown to get cervical cancer without HPV, so it's possible in the next few years cervical screens will be much further apart unless you've been found to have cancer-causig strains of HPV, in which case those women could have more frequent smears.

Flippinlife72 · 08/10/2016 19:51

Just wondering if this hpv virus has anything to do with being on the combination pill long term?

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OddBoots · 08/10/2016 19:57

"Just wondering if this hpv virus has anything to do with being on the combination pill long term" No, it is unrelated except perhaps if that means you don't use condoms. It doesn't mean anyone has been unfaithful though.

Flippinlife72 · 08/10/2016 19:59

Just I was told as I get older I may get more side effects and problems, hence they are keeping an eye on that side of things

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