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Original poster

I have a question about HPV

47 replies

YepNameChanged · 30/12/2021 15:39

My latest smear in Nov came back positive for HPV and no abnormal cells. I’m really freaking out. I’ve never had a real with anyone except my husband before it after marriage / same for my husband.

The smear I had before this was normal but that was about 4 years back- smear delayed due to the pandemic- then the pandemic hit and we haven’t even been out and about that much.

How in the world did I get HPV?? I’m scared that this will develop into cancer..

OP posts:

Notwithittoday · 30/12/2021 17:20

It’s nothing to worry about. They weren’t routinely looking for hpv four years ago in a lot of areas and now the guidance has changed. As others have said it’s one of those things that comes and goes. I had hpv positive result two years ago but no abnormal cells. I’ve had three smears since then ( other issues) and no hpv reported. It’s very common. It’s just a shock after years of ok smears to suddenly get that news but I was told that it’s only been the last few years they look for hpv

Mumzoo5070 · 30/12/2021 17:27

Loads of people get confused between HPV and HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), for example a PP mentioned cold sores but this is not how HPV spreads!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

Rudeppl · 31/12/2021 12:09

@Kitkat151 is it really necessary to use such vile language? How classy of you...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health

Kitkat151 · 31/12/2021 20:57

[quote Rudeppl]@Kitkat151 is it really necessary to use such vile language? How classy of you...[/quote]
Classy....that’s me

mindutopia · 31/12/2021 21:01

I work in sexual health. Yes, HPV is only transmitted through sex (though can be through any skin to skin contact, doesn’t have to be penetrative sex). It’s incredibly common. Most of us have it.

But if you have only had sexual encounters with your Dh, it means he has had sexual encounters with someone else. It absolutely could be long before you met, but it’s not possible for it to have happened any other way.

MaybeAMoaner · 31/12/2021 22:57

My smear was positive for HPV in 2014

3 years later in 2017 I still had HPV

1 year later in 2018 I had cell changes

2 years later in 2020 (obviously) I had severe cell changes. Had a colposcopy which found stage 1 cervical cancer.
I then had a full hysterectomy.

However- my point is not to scare you, but to tell you it’s slow growing and the doctors are on it. Once you’re in the system they keep checking you and if it does turn bad like mine they will sort it out.

Notwithittoday · 01/01/2022 00:26

@MaybeAMoaner

My smear was positive for HPV in 2014

3 years later in 2017 I still had HPV

1 year later in 2018 I had cell changes

2 years later in 2020 (obviously) I had severe cell changes. Had a colposcopy which found stage 1 cervical cancer.
I then had a full hysterectomy.

@MaybeAMoaner thank you for sharing that. So when you have cell changes they don’t do anything ? Did they check you in 2019?

Crinkle77 · 01/01/2022 11:53

@mindutopia

I work in sexual health. Yes, HPV is only transmitted through sex (though can be through any skin to skin contact, doesn’t have to be penetrative sex). It’s incredibly common. Most of us have it.

Yes the poster who was vilified for telling the OP to question her husband is right. The OP said she hadn't had relationships with anyone other than her husband and she said it was the same for him. If he hasn't cheated during the marriage then perhaps he wasn't entirely honest about about his past when he got with the OP.

BrassicaBabe · 01/01/2022 15:15

V interesting thread!

I did a HPV self test (had to pay for it) because I don't want a smear test. (Reasons I don't want to go info). The test was negative. I'm in a monogamous long term relationship. Do I need to repeat the test in the future? Is negative now, always negative or can HPV be in a dormant state and change?

VaguelyInteresting · 01/01/2022 15:21

I had HPV found on a smear I think in 2016, which was checked with a colposcopy & punch biopsy and turned out have CIN1.

2 years later it had progressed to CIN2, so had LLETZ which apparently got it all.

Will see what happens at next smear I suppose!

Yebbie · 01/01/2022 15:24

My smear in March was HPV positive, no cancerous cells though. Im now pregnant so won't be able to have a smear for around a year - is that quite risky? I wasn't advised not to but a few posts on here about it becoming cancerous has me worried now.

Notwithittoday · 01/01/2022 16:17

@Yebbie try not to stress. Same thing happened to me. Hpv positive November 2019 and got pregnant soon after. Worried about it the whole pregnancy. Couldn’t have another smear until Feb this year but was negative then and I’ve since had another one to check as I was spotting on my new pill and that was also negative

Original poster

YepNameChanged · 05/01/2022 17:47

@Crinkle77 we have been married for 17 years..surely my husband cannot be positive for HPV all that time if he has it before our marriage?

OP posts:

CMhater · 05/01/2022 17:55

@VaguelyInteresting

I had HPV found on a smear I think in 2016, which was checked with a colposcopy & punch biopsy and turned out have CIN1.

2 years later it had progressed to CIN2, so had LLETZ which apparently got it all.

Will see what happens at next smear I suppose!

What was the result of you 6month follow up after the lletz if you don't mind me asking?

CMhater · 05/01/2022 18:05

OP
I have been with my partner for 15years.
All my smears ( I'm 40) had been completely fine until 2020 when I was found to be HPV+ with Cin1 cell changes.
My partner and I hadn't had sex between 2015 and 2020 due to various issues ( physical and MH issues) and I know he hadn't cheated however despite the clear smear in 2016 I was told of my HPV+ cell changes result early 2020.
HPV must have been dormant in my body for over a decade only they didn't test for HPV and unless you had cell changes you were just told all was ok and it was negative result.
It looks likely you've had it a long, long time.
It's good it's been picked up now and you haven't any cell changes. You will be monitored.

VaguelyInteresting · 05/01/2022 18:44

@CMhater

My trust doesn’t do them.... so.... you just go back into the routine.

I was q shocked too as I’d previously been under St Mary’s in London who had been clear that it was a follow up smear at 6 months and another at 12 months.

Crossing fingers all’s well....

VaguelyInteresting · 05/01/2022 18:49

@CMhater

Oh hang on I might have that wrong... maybe I did go at 6 months?!

(I had a 2 year and was newly separated ... it’s all a blur...)

But good prompt to call GP and check im not due a smear actually- and can ask then.

CMhater · 05/01/2022 20:05

Thank you @VaguelyInteresting.
Yes, keep on top of it.

TwinkleToeMatilda · 05/01/2022 21:06

Please don’t panic. This is what I did (still slightly do) when I found out I was HPV positive with abnormal cells. I was sent for a colposcopy where they took two biopsies. I am currently awaiting my results. Not quite what I was expecting from my first smear (turned 25!) As the doctor told me, HPV is essentially a common cold but in your cervix. It usually clears itself however it can lay dormant for years. I would really suggest calling your doctor so they can explain correctly as google just ended up terrifying me!

fedup078 · 05/01/2022 21:16

@BrassicaBabe it can lie dormant so if you get a negative test now then there is nothing to say that the next one won't be positive even if you don't change partners

PermanentTemporary · 05/01/2022 21:22

The reason I got my son vaccinated against HPV very young before the NHS started providing it to boys was that it is most use before any sexual contact at all. So yes, your husband could have contracted HPV long before you met.

Crinkle77 · 06/01/2022 09:56

[quote YepNameChanged]@Crinkle77 we have been married for 17 years..surely my husband cannot be positive for HPV all that time if he has it before our marriage?[/quote]
It can lie dormant for up to 20 years so it's possible.

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