Colopscopy after abnormal cells found

[DanceDanceDance80]

Hi, I'm not really sure why I'm posting. I think just for reassurance. A year ago I had a routine smear where I found out I had HPV but no abnormal cells. Fast forward to this year for another smear and I still have HPV but with abnormal cells now. I'm being referred to hospital for a colopscopy and I'm shit scared. Can anyone give me any advice or if you was in the same situation.
Thankyou

[Mumma1984]

I had this at my last one just after I had my baby, it stressed me out! But I've come to realize that our system is good for this - apparently takes like 10 years for it to develop in to something bad a lot of the time - 90% of people will get HPV at some point and you can clear it. I have lots of friends who've had cin 2 and 3 changes and had treatment, mine was CIN1 changes and just needed a repeat smear in one year which is coming up, don't worry it's apparently extremely common! Xx

[StressedOuta]

Ah please try not to worry op, it's very common.
I had hpv+ smears 3 years in a row and got referred for a colp and biopsies. I had convinced myself of the worst case scenario but my colp took 5 minutes, nothing abnormal detected and clear biopsies.

Did your letter say what grade abnormalities were found?

[DanceDanceDance80]

Thankyou for your replies, there aren't any grades on the letter. Just says hpv positive and abnormal cells found.

[StressedOuta]

The colposcopist will go through everything with you op. You may not need treatment but if you do, it's very straightforward and effective.
Have you had your appointment through yet? When I had mine there was about a 6 week wait so I phoned up to ask about any cancellations to see if I could get seen quicker as my nerves were in pieces. I then got seen the following week.

It is really common though op, can you maybe speak to whoever did your smear for further advice and reassurance?

[DanceDanceDance80]

Just re read the letter again and it says borderline changes to the cells.

I'm getting very anxious now as I still haven't received a letter for my appt and I can't get through to my doctors.

[TinyMarie]

I know it's hard because I panicked when I got this letter but I've had colposcopies for the last 5 years, even through my pregnancy. As a PP has said, it usually takes a very long time to develop from severe cell abnormality to anything sinister and as you are being checked, they will just keep an eye on you and remove anything they don't like the look of.
It's actually very common and the Colposcopy itself isn't bad, it's just a camera. I've also had a few Biopsies and even they weren't that bad and came back as low grade changes.
Please don't stress, you are doing the right thing by having smears and getting checked. Feel free to message me if you want anymore info, I've had 5 years of them!

[TinyMarie]

And also just to reassure you, my last Colposcopy showed borderline changes and they didn't need to see me again for a year.

[Mumma1984]

I've even had the HPV vaccine and had the abnormalities and HPV - so annoying! But that's why they tell people they still need to go for cervical screenings! Vaccine only covers you for 4 types of HPV and there are 100's! 😩

[TinyMarie]

@Mumma1984 It just goes to show how important smears are. The nurse at my last Colposcopy said that even after the recent ads, there isn't much of an increase in women going for them.