Worried about symptoms

[Inbedbyeight]

Hi

I was looking for some advice as I'm winding myself up worrying about this!

I have regular smear tests and about 18 months ago one came back abmormal so I had to go for a smear every three months instead, last one came back abnormal again so I had to go for the Colposcopy (this will be about a year ago now) and the doctor didn't have to remove any abnormal cells as everything looked okay. I then had another smear three months later and it came back normal, so I have not had one since.

For the last three months or so my toilet habits have changed, I have had to urinate a lot more frequently and especially at night, I have to get up on average once during the night but can be up to three times. I have also started having very light spotting after sex with my husband, it is light and I only notice it on the toilet paper, but it is every time now.

For full disclosure I have had an STI before, I may have had it some time as I didn't think to get checked until a good few months after I had sex. There is no possibility of it being a current STI as I have had the same partner since and at my last smear they also did an STI check and it was clear.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning and I can't help but be really worried about the possibility of Cervical Cancer. I googled my symptoms and this kept coming up. I am only 27 but I have heard of under 30's developing it.

I would really just like some advice and if anyone else has had anything similar, am I am panicking quite a bit.

[Inbedbyeight]

I haven't had any responses but thought an update may hopefully prompt some, I had my doctors appointment and she did a pelvic exam and said my cervix looked inflamed and I was to be referred for a colposcopy because she thinks it is cell changes again. She tried to not worry me by saying that it would probably be the same as the last colposcopy and that I might just need some cells removed, however the fact that she also said that bleeding after sex is a concerning problem and also that my cervix is inflamed, two symptoms I didnt have when I last had cell changes, makes me worry it is more serious. Has anyone been here?

[scarfaceace]

Sorry, no advice, but hope the colposcopy results are clear .

[Inbedbyeight]

Thank you scarfaceace, I appreciate it

[dirtybadger]

I just had some abnormal cells removed. Im 27, was my first smear that came back high grade severe changes (or something like that). Still waiting for results (only had LLETZ yesterday) but to be honest having read quite a lot about it since my smear result, Im not too worried. The nurse told me the chances of severe changes being cancer were 1 in 1000. I also have abnormal bleeding (but never worried about it as I hate seeing doctors and am not one to worry, although I probably should have be seen quicker). The progression from CIN3 to cancer is slow, and not an inevitability even without treatment. With treatment it becomes even less likely, and finally the actual cancer is one of the most treatable (provided you are having smears as normal and it is therefore detected). You probably wont be able to stop yourself from worrying, but I would put yourself on a ban from googling. Also, I found the removal to be a pretty simple procedure. I am a bit depressed about not being able to have sex for ages, and no exercise for at least 2 weeks- they are the worst things about it for me.

[Inbedbyeight]

Thank you very much for the response dirtybadger, you’ve really put my mind at ease! Good luck with your results, you sound like you have a very positive attitude towards the whole thing

[Lobsterface]

Please try not to worry, you’ve seen your gp so whatever it is you’re getting it sorted. Keep your chin up.

[Inbedbyeight]

Thank you Lobsterface, I will try

[MissBax]

I have a similar history and last smear had to have a colposcopy but it was okay in the end. Carried on having bleeds after sex etc and found I had an ectopy, had that burnt away with silver nitrate, continued with pain and bleeds and was diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis.
Sorry, I know none of those things are what anyone wants but just to show there could be a load of reasons for your symptoms and try not to worry - almost all of them are treatable !

[Inbedbyeight]

Thanks MissBax, I hope your pain and bleeding have improved now? I’m sorry to hear about the PID and endometriosis, although you are right there are a lot of possibilities and at this stage I would just be relieved to find out what this is, provided it isn’t cancer

[LemonMuffin837]

I haven't had experience myself but as I have health anxiety I know more than I should about cervical cancer!
It takes between 10-15 years for abnormal cells to turn in to full blown cancer, so worst case scenario you will have abnormal cells, these can be easily zapped away with no further issues. I really wouldn't worry if I were you, easier said than done I know.

[Inbedbyeight]

Hi LemonMuffin, thank you for the input, I had heard about the 10-15 years it can take to develop so I then began to worry that I've had abnormal cells for some time - I phoned my doctor today and she reminded me of my previous results from smears, although only one was referred to colposcopy, every single smear I have had has come back with cell changes apart from the most recent one after the colposcopy, so I could have had this for a number of years