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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be terrified? Diagnosed with HPV, abnormal cell growth

68 replies

DancerAtHeart · 05/01/2017 21:40

I'm terrified

I had my first smear test results sent to me today and it says I have abnormal cell growth.
I've been referred for a colposcopy and I have been told I definitely have an HPV infection.

What does this mean? I feel so angry right now. I've only had one sexual partner, my current boyfriend and I had my vaccinations before I ever got sexually active.

I know I could read up online but I'm too scared to make any sense of it

Please please please can someone who has been through this help me?

There is no treatment for HPV right? So I can't have sex until it clears? Should my partner get tested? Do I have cancer?

OP posts:
JaxingJump · 05/01/2017 22:39

Aw OP, you're grand. They will unlikely do anything if it's mild. Just give you regular check ups. It's not cancer! So don't be thinking it is. I know if soooooo many people including myself who got the same letter as you.

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 05/01/2017 23:25

I started having unprotected sex in April last year...

I always promised myself I'd never do that but I guess I trusted him

Sad

Should I be angry with my partner? Since he's the one who gave me this

OP posts:
Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 00:14

Could I have gotten it from an unhygienic Brazilian wax place?

OP posts:
MsMims · 06/01/2017 00:19

No it won't be from waxing OP. If he's your only partner you will have caught it from him. Little point being annoyed at him - he will have been oblivious but on an emotional level I can understand feeling upset at him.

Haven't had experience of an abnormal smear so can't advise there but hope what the posters above have said, and the hospital, will reassure you Flowers

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 00:28

Thank you everyone ❤️You have been very kind

OP posts:
Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 00:53

I already have anaemia, thalessemia intermedia, vitiligo, asthma and a weakened immune systems which causes repeated episodes of tonsillitis and food poisoning

I suppose I panicked even more because I've already had veg bad health and I just don't have the energy for more bad things

OP posts:
AppleMagic · 06/01/2017 01:06

I had the same letter as you op. I was in and out of the colposcopy clinic in 15mins as they couldn't find anything at all. Didn't even need a biopsy or more regular smears. I had another smear test about 3 years later (had moved abroad to where they like to test in pregnancy), all clear including for HPV.

BonsGirl · 06/01/2017 01:08

I've had this before OP, hope you feel a little calmer now! I panicked too and thought OMG I HAVE CANCER. No, I had pre cancerous cells that were lasered off, had some discomfort later (like period pains) but that was it. If I had to go back it wouldn't faze me as it wasn't as scary as I imagined it to be, you'll be fine! Flowers

GardenGeek · 06/01/2017 01:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 01:49

Aren't the strains that cause genital warts and cancer different?

I don't have any signs of warts

OP posts:
BusyBeez99 · 06/01/2017 08:16

I had that same letter 19 years ago. Went to the clinic and had the colposcopy and letter arrived saying needed the abnormal cells removed as pre cancerous. Went in as a day patient. All done. Had to go for 6 monthly smears for 5 years. Then once a year for couple years and now back to every 3 years

At the time I was scared so YANBU

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 06/01/2017 08:45

Hi op
I want to join the other posters to tell you I had this and not to worry too much.
Same as you results back from my very first smear.
Had a coloscopy and biopsy then a small loop to burn away the bad cells. Neither was particularly bad.
I'm 4 years or so into my yearly smears and clean as a whistle.
It is very scary when you first get told but really very routine

Gowgirl · 06/01/2017 09:01

Been there too, mine was high grade cin 3, they lasered it in the clinicSmile but....i wailed like a banshee convinced I was going to die for about a week and took my mum with me! I was 33 with a new baby.
The general rule I no sex for a month after treatment then condoms for six months.
I have to say I've had better days out but it really doesn't hurt.

JaxingJump · 06/01/2017 09:38

Don't be mad at your partner. There will be very few people around not carrying this or the herpes virus, they are just not symptomatic. I think these things transmit easily even with condoms. He won't have known he had anything and you could have gone years and years without knowing you had this. I think in this day and age it's pretty par for the course for anyone who is sexually active, even just with one person.

Try not to worry. But can I suggest you both go for a full STD check at a local clinic. There are much worse things than HPV and herpes that you wouldn't know you have that can be treated but need to be found. If you are both in a trusting and monogamous relationship it's always good to get a full STD check before starting a condom free sex life. You didn't need checking in the beginning but should go now for peace of mind.

NootNoot · 06/01/2017 09:47

I've had 3 abnormal smears (Grade 2 (moderate grade) with HPV strain 18- the "worst one"). 3 Colposcopys & 3 LLETZ. Honestly, it WILL BE OK! Talk to your consultant about your fears. Virtually all the treatments are "preventative", I just have stubborn bastard cells. It doesn't hurt- it's a bit of a weird sensation when they're "in" there, but Paracetamol kept everything under control. For a lot of low grade dyskarytosis they just look & often don't do anything.

Your other half may or may not have the HPV, mine doesn't. Papillomavirus is spread SO easily- towels/underwear/contact so don't worry. 95% of the population get it at some point even with the vaccine.

Use Jo's Trust, it's a great help. You will be fine x

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 09:51

Thank you so much everyone! I'm seeing my GP today just to have some preliminary questions answered

I also recently had a full sex health screening - including HIV and my DP had most other things tested but he's scared to have blood drawn so I don't think he had HIV.

I'll ask the GP today what other tests we should have

I've also emailed my work health centre to see if the private insurance will cover the follow up treatment because that might be faster

NHS has a 10 week wait at the moment and I'll go mad by then Sad

OP posts:
JaxingJump · 06/01/2017 09:55

Dancer, with a mild result they used to just book you in for another smear in 6 months, no check even. So 10wks will not cause you any harm. It takes a long time for a mild level cell change to even go to the next stage which still isn't even cancer. Most mild results go the other way and are clear in 6 months.

Ibloodyhatethomasthetankengine · 06/01/2017 10:09

Yes, strains of HPV that cause warts and abnormalities on a smear are entirely different. Although unsightly, the warts strains have no chance of progression to cancerous cells.

And no point at all in being angry at your partner. Pretty much everyone in the world who has had sex carries strains of both HPV and also HSV (Herpes virus) but very few ever show any symptoms. They are not preventable by condom use either, hence why so common. As scary as it is to hear that you have HPV, it is completely normal to carry HPV so, get the colposcopy done, and put your mind at ease :) good luck xxxx

AmayaBuzzbee · 06/01/2017 10:20

Hi Dancer, I had this 12 years ago and panicked like you now, but there was no need. I didn't have private medical then but paid for colposcopy privately as I was so worried I didn't want to wait for NHS.

All was done in about 20 minutes, they took a biopsy which seemed to remove all pre-cancerous cells itself. No further treatment needed. And it wasn't painful at all, a bit like a smear.

I had 6-monthly smears for 5 years, all clear. Now having smears less often, whenever I get an invite. This seems to be very common.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 06/01/2017 10:24

hey, try and calm down and not panic, its quite common Flowers

I had this many years ago and I has a cone biopsy- basically they char grill your cervix. you are under a general, and healing time in a week (although I was a lot younger)

I went onto have 2 kids naturally, and each smear test has come back clear its been almost 15 years

its a massive PITA and I remember being scared but its fairly common and normal unfortunately

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 06/01/2017 10:46

So my best friend said to me-

"It's fine you just have to take the mistake in your stride and move on"

AIBU to think that's an unhelpful comment?! How is it my mistake? I couldn't have prevented this in any way

OP posts:
lanbro · 06/01/2017 10:52

I've got HPV and in the last 10 years have had 3 colposcopies, 2 loop biopsies and a punch biopsy. The great thing about smears and any follow on treatment is that cervical cancer is very unlikely. I'm pleased to say my latest smear was clear and I've finally been discharged from hospital care.

Please do not worry, please go for any treatment offered and please continue going for regular smears.

JaxingJump · 06/01/2017 10:53

No, it's not a mistake! You've done nothing wrong and neither has your partner.

She sounds young and like she thinks she's giving good and uplifting advice. I think you need to take her mistake in your stride😅

Ibloodyhatethomasthetankengine · 06/01/2017 10:59

There is no mistake. If she has had sex, she will almost certainly have a strain of HPV too. Miseducation and misinformation is the problem here, as it is with sexual health in general! If anything,melt this be a boot up her arse that she needs to get her smear done xx

turbohamster · 06/01/2017 11:01

I have HPV type 16 and have never had sex without a condom, so don't waste any energy on wondering if you could have done anything different.

I had a watch and wait after first colposcopy then lletz around a year later after positive hpv test and mild abnormal cells.

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