Borderline smear results

[MoltenBrownChocolate]

I've just had a letter telling me my recent smear test showed borderline changes. They tested negative for HPV so the letter just says come back in 3 years as usual.
I'm really confused why changes aren't a concern if you test negative for HPV? Shouldn't I be recalled in a few months? Surely a smear test is precisely to check for changes and act upon them
This is worrying me so much I'm thinking about going for a private smear in 3-6 months.
Has anyone else been in this situation or can any HCP give me some advice please?

[MoltenBrownChocolate]

Bumping this as I'm really concerned

[yetmoresex]

I'd call the surgery and ask, or pay for a private one. I had this and had to have a second smear done, can't remember the time line but it was within six months. Second one was fine though.

[Sidge]

Hello Molten I'm a practice nurse and hopefully I can reassure you a little.

The whole call and recall process has changed a lot over the last few years as more research is done and they have refined the process a lot with the advent of HPV testing.

Generally speaking, if there is no evidence of HPV, even with borderline changes the chance of any cells becoming more abnormal is very very low. The cells in the cervix are changing all the time (this is a normal process) and borderline changes mean they have been caught at a stage in the change process that could go either way. In most women, the cells go back to normal. If HPV was present you would be recalled earlier as we know that having HPV means the cells could change for the worse. With no HPV this is very unlikely, hence why you have been put back to a normal recall.

Of course over the next few years if you had any worrying symptoms such as bleeding between periods, after sex or any abnormal discharge or pain, you should see the GP and may well need a referral to gynaecology but it doesn't mean that you would necessarily need a smear - a smear is often a screening tool and not an investigative one.

Hope that helps.

[purplecloud123]

I'd also call and check. I had a borderline result and then had to have another 6 months later which, thankfully, was normal. I had another 12 months later.

[MoltenBrownChocolate]

Thank you for your replies ladies.
Sidge that was really helpful, thank you. Could the changes be caused by having had the mirena coil fitted since my last smear? Also I do sometimes have bleeding between periods/irregular periods, I was referred to the gynae 2 years ago and had a scan etc then. She decided it was probably peri menopause (another possible reason for borderline changes?) hence having the mirena

[MoltenBrownChocolate]

Purple & Yetmore thank you for reassuring me with your stories. I'm glad your second results were back to normal