Abnormal HPV smear test

[MrsGethinJones]

Ive just had the nurse call me to tell me that HPV has been detected in my smear and that I should attend a colopsopy (?) appointment.

Single parent, no family in this country so worried - hoping its not as bad as it sounds :(

It's a completely routine thing. I had an abnormal smear probably 15 years ago with colposcopy. Because you have HPV (which is an STI but one that pretty much all of us have), it puts you at increased risk of cervical cancer. Most cervical cancer is associated with HPV, but most people with HPV (again, that's pretty much most women) don't get cervical cancer. If they are sending you for a colposcopy, it means there are some abnormal cells found, but that doesn't necessarily mean much. You can have some degree of abnormal cells for lots of reasons that don't have to do with cervical cancer. An ectropion can mean you have some different kinds of cells growing on your cervix, and you're more likely to get these if you have used hormonal contraception or if you've given birth before. I've had two colposcopies over the years. Both normal. It's annoying to have to do, but it's very routine. And especially if you haven't had symptoms (unusual bleeding, pain, etc.) then it's very likely to not be anything serious. If they see some cells that they are worried about (but that aren't cancer), they can also remove them which will prevent them from changing further.

Thank you thats really reassuring. Ive had some odd pains in my pelvis and my smear was about 9 months late - my fault - so im worried I might have left it too late to get checked.
Need not too worry too much before the appointment i think

Same here, been through it a couple of times and no big deal. Had colposcopy recently and they managed to take all of the abnormal cells in the biopsy so now clear. Also barely noticed anything when they were doing it. You do end up having more regular smear tests for a few years to check it's gone but then back to normal.

I had this done several years ago. You get a local anaesthetic and they laser off the cells. It didn’t take very long, about 30 minutes. Like previous poster said, you will have to have regular yearly smears for 5 years. I did take the day off work and the next, but I probably would have been ok to go in.

Nine months late is nothing to worry about - it takes ten years or more for abnormal cells to develop into cancer. I had severe widespread abnormalities on a smear 14 years ago, had to have a colposcopy and then two loop excisions to remove them (most people only need one though) and have had clear smears ever since - six-monthly, then annually, and now back to three-yearly. I know it's scary but try not to panic. As the colposcopy nurse told me as soon as I arrived, you're in the system now, and whatever's going on, they can sort it.

Thank you all, thats very reassuring xx

I've had about 4 colopscopies in the past 22 years and am due to have another one on Monday. They are uncomfortable as they use a speculum, (as uncomfortable as a smear) and if they do biopsies you have to cough then it feels like a sharp pinch for a second. I've also had to have treatment before (lletz?) And that was pain free as had anesthetic injected into my cervix. Another time all the cells were removed during the biopsy.
I had annual smears until 2018 then i was put for 3 years but I assume I'll be put back to yearly again.
As with anything the fear of the unknown is worse than the reality.
You will need to take a pad as you may have some bleeding. You may also want to take pain killers before so they kick in as I had a dull ache in my stomach afterwards for a few hours after the biopsies.
Any questions feel free to inbox me.