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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:
Tenshidarkangel · 06/01/2017 12:03

Have literally just been through the same in October. I had High grade CIN3 cells and literally shat myself when the letter came through.
Firstly, Not your partners fault. HPV is like thrust. Not really an STI, A bugger to catch on tests and very little to be done. It happens so don't be upset with him.
Secondly, you have low grade which is brilliant. They will bring you literally as a precaution. Have a nose and see if you actually need the colposcopy. You may not. If you do, its over and done with very quickly. The worst part of it is the 4 weeks of abstinence afterwards ;)
Honestly though, don't worry. Cells change due to outside factors too (like smoking) and with low grade the chances of it being cancer are seriously slim. I had High grade and mine was fine. Just need to go for another smear in 6 months.

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 10/01/2017 09:39

Just wanted to post an update!

I had my colposcopy yesterday (I'm very lucky to have private insurance through employer) and it was all clear Smile

The doctor said he didn't even need to take a biopsy at this point because it looked fine!

I have to go back to have another smear in 3-6 months to see if the abnormal cells and HPV have gone away.

He said that the body's immunity will get rid of it automatically - I'm a little worried about this because I have VERY low immunity due to anemia. But we'll see in six months!

Thank you everyone for your kindness and support- it helped me so much

OP posts:
JaxingJump · 10/01/2017 14:06

Good stuff Dancer. This is one of the things that is scary until you actually understand more about it, I'm sure you'll get a chance to reassure a friend or someone before too long now that you know what that letter is all about.

I think we are lucky at the proactive stance of the NHS on this issue.

mygorgeousmilo · 10/01/2017 16:59

I had this approx 6 years ago, my doctor called to tell me. I was on holiday in a restaurant, I got a bit hysterical and was shaking and had to chuck money on the table and leave. I went to have the colposcopy, was pregnant with lovely DS a couple of months later, and have had normal smears ever since. I can totally understand the panicked feeling, but I think it's reasonably normal to experience this, having looked into it. I know it's hard, but please try to keep calm, I'm sure it will all be fine FlowersCakeWine

mygorgeousmilo · 10/01/2017 17:01

Sorry just read your update! Fantastic news Smile

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 10/01/2017 17:11

Is it normal to have cramping after the colposcopy even though they didn't do a biopsy?

I really feel a lot of censoring today and some weird soreness inside, even though the procedure itself wasn't that painful.

OP posts:
JaxingJump · 10/01/2017 17:15

Yeah. Normal.

Funnily enough I got the horrible shocking call myself while in the car on the way to the church for my wedding! Thank god I didn't have my mobile with me and missed the call. I picked up the voicemail on my way to the airport on honeymoon 2 days later and was very upset till I spoke with my best friend who is a GP and she put my mind at ease.

Got pregnant on honeymoon so had my colposcopy while pregnant.

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 10/01/2017 18:20

The thing is, nobody called me Sad they just sent a letter and I had nobody to really explain what it meant until I saw my GP privately

That made the worry much worse!!

Btw spelling error in previous post- meant to say I feel a lot of cramping not censoring

I feel quite achy inside- embarrassed to admit it, because they didn't take a biopsy literally just did the colposcopy

OP posts:
Loaferloveforyou · 10/01/2017 19:37

Yes that's normal, I felt very crampy when I had my first one although I did have a biopsy. Can't remember about the second one, think I did have cramps but not as bad as the first one

Januaryblues28 · 10/01/2017 19:48

I felt crampy after my colposcopy and I didn't have a biopsy either. It went away after a couple of days. Glad to hear all is well now.

Original poster
DancerAtHeart · 11/01/2017 00:57

They're much better already Smile

Thanks again everyone! You have been very kind

OP posts:
Araminta99 · 11/01/2017 02:23

That's good you are getting it sorted. I would be really upset with my partner if I were you. Did he tell you about his previous sexual partners? It may be that many people get hpv and herpes and pass it on, but not all as pp are saying, as not everyone is promiscuous. I think potential partners need to be completely honest before starting a sexual relationship so I understand your friend's comment. I'd ensure he gets checked out for further STD's before continuing the relationship if I were you.

Tearingoutmyhair · 11/01/2017 02:59

Araminta that is a deeply ignorant comment. I suspect you may need to do some reading. HPV is not an affliction restricted to the promiscuous - by definition, most people are not promiscuous, and yet most people have HPV. That includes people who've only had a very small number of partners. When virtually everyone has it, you've got good odds of picking it up from your very first sexual partner.

Moreover, the boyfriend would in all likelihood have had no clue whatsoever that he was "harbouring" it. It's not not an STD in the classic sense like the clap.

Grindelwaldswand · 11/01/2017 03:20

According to Ali Wong the American comedienne, everyone in America has HPV and it's apparently undetectable in men and causes them no harm but it is detected in women and can be a cause of cervical cancer depending which strain you have. I wouldn't worry about it or blame your partner he won't have known he had it even a blood test wouldn't have shown he had it

Grindelwaldswand · 11/01/2017 03:22

Araminta99 I've seen you on two threads so far and on both of them your talking rubbish so please shut up sit down and have a Biscuit the OP is worried enough without your nonsense

GahBuggerit · 11/01/2017 05:39

Araminta, shh, go away and let the grown ups talk

yes op do ignore Araminta, they know not of what they speak

OhTheRoses · 11/01/2017 06:26

I had this when I was 25 OP. I'm 56 now. Doctor says I'll only need one more smear in 2.5 years Grin

Gowgirl · 11/01/2017 14:03

My dh was distraught when I was diagnosed in case it was his fault! I had to point out it wasn't, go away and do some reading araminta, and by the way promiscuity or lack off oi personal bloody choice!

Good news op! Grin

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