One year after being told I'm HPV positive, I've now developed abnormal cells.

[Onlyrainbows]

I'll have my colposcopy in two weeks. What should I expect? I've already had a bit of a cry.

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I had a colposcopy a few years ago in my twenties. They look more closely at your cervix and they add something to show up where the abnormal cells are. They will only remove the cells if they need to - which in my case they did because I had CIN3 cells. It will depend what grade your abnormal cells are, do you know? They then sent the sample of cells off to be analysed further.
Remember though this is a good thing because it means the screening programme is working to find these abnormal cells early on. It doesn't mean you have cancer.
And it's actually more common than you think, afterwards I found out several people I knew had also been through this but it's not often discussed openly.
I found the Jo's trust website very helpful when I was going through this. There are forums on there where you might get more advice, and also information about the colposcopy.

They call them "borderline changes" but at the same time I'll be seen within two weeks. I was also on my period when I had my smear (they didn't want to do the smear at the time) but now I'm glad I stuck to my guns.

I had the same a few years ago. Honestly it was fine. I had the procedure where they get rid of the abnormal cells which wasn't bad at all, and subsequent smears were clear.

When I was having it done, Jade Goody's death was pretty recent so it was very stressful. The wait for results and the following smear results was worse than the actual examinations and procedure tbh! Try not to worry

I'm also worried because I have chronic anemia so I'm naturally "weak".

I had this. It was nothing to worry about. Took no time at all, just like another smear really. Then I got a letter saying all was fine. Hope the same goes for you.

It's just how quickly it developed from HPV to abnormal cells.... I really thoy it would take years.

I had one in my 20s - same OP as they seemed to develop quickly. They decided from the colposcopy they didn't need to do anything other than monitor. Now I have no HPV and have had clear smear tests for years.

Same here op, first smear flagged up abnormal cells and hpv virus. 6 months later another smear showed the cells were now severe so i had the procedure to have them removed. So far so good, but I totally understand your worry, like others say its so common.

It'll be fine OP, They'll have a look with the colposcope, spray some vinegar liquid on your cervix to see what cell damage they can see. If they think it's necessary they'll either take some punch biopsies to test and find out/confirm what CIN stage the cell changes are at or offer you lletz treatment there and then if they already know it's severe and need to remove.
I've had dodgy cell issues my whole adult life on and off. High risk HPV related which I struggle to clear once it reactivates itself.

I was really upset when my smear showed HPV - went for a colposcopy and they said they would keep an eye on the abnormal cells (they graded the cell changes in the examination) as it was possible the problem would resolve itself. I was put on the list to have more regular smears. They next smear I had showed my body had cleared the virus and all is fine.

I have a rubbish immune system due to another health problem so I was so worried and assumed the worse. Got so distraught in the actual colposcopy because I was convinced I was going to have cancer on top of my other health issue and in reality I got way more worked up than I needed to. The poor consultant!

I have chronic severe anemia, and apparently that makes recovery more difficult.

Following for info. I had hpv just over a year ago . Had my follow up smear this week so just seeing where I stand now once results are in. I’m in Ireland and results taking 4/6 weeks.
I’m concerned as do have pain with sex . Had a laproscopy done last July and they didn’t find anything worrying so still don’t know what’s causing the pain .
Smears are a nightmare for me since having children ( both sections so not sure why !). The gp had to prescribe Valium before the smear as it’s just so painful .

What is the timeframe in the uk with smears once they find the virus ? It’s one year repeat here which I think is a long time ?

Yes, it's one year after a HPV positive result.

@Onlyrainbows

It's just how quickly it developed from HPV to abnormal cells.... I really thoy it would take years.

God knows how long you have had HPV. It’s no big sign of anything. It’s extremely common to get a call in for abnormal cells. In my case they took a look and did nothing further. By my next check, I’d had a baby and the abnormal cells were gone. 10 years since my colposcopy and I’ve had normal smears since.

Anyone too old to have had the hpv vaccine who has ever been sexually active may well be hpv positive. Most people have no idea they are.

Don’t give this any more thought because it’s being checked so the system is working. And it’s a normal part of being a sexually active adult.

Santa I get yearly smears because that's the norm where I'm originally from. The last one I had over there was in 2019, then the pandemic happened, so it might have been two years at most.

@Onlyrainbows

It's just how quickly it developed from HPV to abnormal cells.... I really thoy it would take years.

I tend to go years with active HPV and no cell change then boom 12 months later straight to CIN 3. Most often I have CIN 1 or 2 I have autoimmune disorders though so my body doesn't clear HPV very well. I'll go years being HPV positive before it goes dormant again (or at least is existing below detection and not damaging my cells) then I'll possibly go back to normal 3 year recall (I've only done this twice in my whole life and I'm 43) before it's back again.

Every single smear test I have had (think it's 4) has come back HPV positive. Last year, I had a HPV positive result with borderline cell changes and was seen in a colposcopy quite quickly which concerned me at the time. The colposcopy was no more uncomfortable than the smear test itself and the doctor took a sample of cells from my cervix to examine. I got the results a couple of weeks later of CIN1 which means cell changes really are borderline and you'll need to go back in 12 months for another smear. I recently had my 12 month on smear and this has come back HPV positive (surprise surprise) but no cell changes which was welcome news. I also know someone who had CIN2 cells and she had some kind of laser treatment to remove the affected cells. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't worry too much, it's very common to have borderline cell changes and this does not automatically mean cervical cancer. Take care