Smear test results - HPV

[Dunnowhatsgoingon]

Not sure where to put this. I went for a regular smear test and it's come back to say I have HPV. I've never heard of it before and read that it's a STI but it's not treatable and they'll just ask me back for a checkup in 12 months. The only person I've slept with is my husband. Should I start to worry?

Anyone????

No, it’s nothing to really worry about. Most sexually active women will get HPV at some point. You’ve only had sex with your husband so you’ve gotten it from him. Unless he has only had sex with you, he would have gotten it before he met (unless you have reason to believe he got it more recently, but that wouldn’t necessarily be the case). Many HPV strains cause no symptoms in men and they don’t routinely get tested. It is just very common. You’re right, there’s nothing much they can do but keep an eye on it. It may clear on its own (it does for some people) or you may just have it and it will cause no issues. In a minority of cases, it can lead to cervical changes or cervical cancer, but not for most. It’s good you’ll get more regular smears, but I’d try not to worry too much. I work in sexual health, btw.

Thank you for your help. I'd never even heard of it before today. I've been with my husband for 7 years and we've had partners before then but my last smear test was negative for everything so it's only happened recently. I didn't want to think the worst of my husband but I couldn't help but worry when I googled it (which is probably the worst thing you can do).

It can stay dormant for years, so a recent test doesnt mean anything. Try to relax!

Hi OP. There’s a lot of misinformation on HPV. I was diagnosed with positive HPV too. You only find out if you have HPV through a smear... so chances are a lot of people have it and don’t know about it. It tends to lie dormant and doesn’t always show up either.

The main concern is it can effect your cells other than that it’s harmless. I was so worried and horrified when I opened my letter.

I think it’s only been recently that smear tests looked for hpv. Before that they were testing for cell changes.
You or your husband have got it before you got together or you have caught it from him since. Difficult to know

@Dunnowhatsgoingon

Thank you for your help. I'd never even heard of it before today. I've been with my husband for 7 years and we've had partners before then but my last smear test was negative for everything so it's only happened recently. I didn't want to think the worst of my husband but I couldn't help but worry when I googled it (which is probably the worst thing you can do).

Your last smear may not have been tested for HPV. It used to be tested for abnormal cells then HPV, and if the first wasn't present they wouldn't test for HPV. Now they test for HPV first; and only test the cells for abnormalities if it's found. So you could actually have had it at your last smear if it was before it changed.

Some infections persist. Some cause problems, most don't.

But HPV can lie dormant for many years. Most women get it and clear it in their first few years of being sexually active, but some can be infected in their teens but then only test positive a decade or more down the line.

It's almost certainly nothing to worry about, just make sure you attend your next appointment ☺️.

Hi OP, I had the exact same thing happen to me recently and I was also horrified. But I did all my research and once I realised how common HPV was (and how it can lie dormant in the body for a long time before it shows up on tests) I felt really reassured.

From what I understand the smear test process has also changed - they used to screen the cervical cells for abnormalities THEN test for HPV if your cells were abnormal, whereas now they test for HPV first - I think this explains why you might not have known you had HPV before, they might not have tested for it. (That's my understanding of how it works, happy to be corrected if someone more knowledgeable comes along!)

The practice nurses really should be informing you of the hpv screening process at the time of your smear. The screening letter should also contain this information too. I always tell each pt this process so they are aware of what they are consenting to, the screening process and what results can mean. It seems like nothing was explained to you which is not ideal

So is cervical cancer exclusively caused by HPV?
If not, it would be a bit worrying that they're not looking at histology anymore?

Thank you all for your responses. It really took me by surprise and when you read that it's a STI your mind starts to wander. I then worried that I'd had it when I was pregnant and passed it onto my LO. Unfortunately the information on the results letter doesn't help. I really appreciate you all sharing with me.

@twig1234 The nurse said nothing at the time so I thought nothing of it and then I was truly horrified and scared when I got the results.

I've recently tested positive for HPV and have Cin1.
I've been in a monogamous relationship for over 10 years.
All previous smears were normal but I presume the hpv was there- it just wasn't looked for then ( 2017 and 2013- when I'd had previous smears).
It's great they've found the hpv and you are being seen in 1 year.

Can I ask a stupid question and ask if those of you who have HPV still continue to have sex and if you do, do you use a condom?

@JMAngel1 no it isn't. Most cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Mine was. But not all. Which is a worry

Not only are some cancers not caused by HPV (wasn't it 5% or more) but your body fights HPV so what if it goes dormant before your next test, but after it's done damage?
It's disgusting how little care women get for cervical cancer.

99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by HR-HPV.

So the chances of having abnormal cells in the cervix without HR-HPV being present is virtually nil.

www.jostrust.org.uk/information/hpv/faqs More info here for you all.

Same happened to me OP but luckily my practice nurse had explained the new procedure during the appointment so it wasn’t a surprise. I got that result in November 2019 and then had a clear one last month so am now back on a three years cycle.

OP I had a positive for HPV in 2019. I've continued to have sex with my partner (no condoms) and my 2020 smear was HPV negative. Like PP have mentioned, 2019 was the first smear I was tested for HPV so I've no idea if I've always had it or got it from my partner.

@littleburn That's good to know. Unfortunately the information on the internet when you simply search for HPV information doesn't really help.

I had my HPV positive smear about 4 years ago then my most recent smear in lockdown unfortunately it had progressed to CIN3. I had further tests which showed early cervical cancer so I am currently awaiting a full hysterectomy but thanks to covid it could be a while.

@SoggyBiscuitss I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis and hope that they can get you in as soon as possible.