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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Smear result - HPV positive

56 replies

Dancer12345 · 16/04/2019 11:27

Just had the results of my smear test. HPV positive but they tested the cells and no changes. Have to go back in a year.

Anyone else had this? I’ve read online that “it’s a warning sign that cervical cancer may develop” but then says that many people have HPV and it goes away fine.

AIBU to feel a little bit unsettled by this, even though logically I know there’s nothing I can do for a year and rationally it’s probably going to be ok.

OP posts:

Babdoc · 16/04/2019 11:32

Be thankful that you were sensible and got tested- that’s what it’s for. And now you know, it will be kept monitored and you will be treated (if necessary) in good time, so this may have saved your life.
I’d be feeling glad I went, and relieved that it will all be safely managed, OP.

StarlaP · 16/04/2019 11:35

I had this a few years ago, and like you I was a bit spooked. All that happened was I had to go for more regular smears for the following three years gradually going longer and longer between them until the results were clear a few consecutive times. I’m back on a normal testing schedule now and nothing has happened since.

As PP said, this is exactly what it’s for, they will keep a closer eye on you in case anything develops and you’re well positioned for effective treatment should you require it. Chances are you won’t though x

RezCowgirl · 16/04/2019 11:38

Yes I had this recently. Was told it was low-grade HPV and it would go away of its own accord. Have a read through the threads on the cancerreasearch forums. There is some useful information from qualified nurses who specialise in cervical cancer.

For what its worth. I'm not concerned, they would start treatment if they thought it needed it.

doingasurvey · 16/04/2019 11:43

I had this. I went for a colposcopy, they checked it and said it was fine, but then I was put back onto a 3 year smear programme even though everything I’d read said that they should check you more regularly until the HPV goes away. I pushed the GP and he just said that I didn’t warrant further checks. Left me feeling very confused and worried I was being fobbed off. My next check 3 yr check up is next year

Original poster

Dancer12345 · 16/04/2019 11:49

Babdoc That’s a great way of looking at it - you’re obviously a lot more rational than I am!

Good to hear that despite it being positive for others, it hasn’t meant anything serious in the long term. Also a good point that they’d do more now if they were concerned.

doingasurvey Good luck for your next smear. Like the others have said above to me, they wouldn’t have left it that long if they were concerned.

OP posts:

Indie139 · 16/04/2019 19:12

I had same thing at my first smear. Went to do a copolscopy / biopsy a month later and the result were same. They said come back in a year because cell changes are so slow and this would be best time to check back. Went back a year later and everything was normal, they told me to come back again in another year just to be sure everything was ok. Went back about 6 weeks ago and they said if this one comes back normal then i will be put on the regular 3 year checks rather than yearly. I havent had the results back yet though..hoping everything is ok. I wouldnt worry too much, it might go away ..but if it does develop into anything they will pick it when you go back

moreismore · 16/04/2019 19:14

I had this about 7 yrs ago and my two most recent smears have been clear and negative for hpv so it will most likely be dealt with by your immune system in time. Anything that needs attention will be picked up by the screening at a stage when it’s easy to deal with

Thisnamechanger · 16/04/2019 19:18

I had ten years worth of positives...and a bloody lletz and colposcopy every year. My body just couldn't shift the virus. Now all of a sudden is gone! Try not to worry OP, they're keeping an eye on you.

Greyhound22 · 16/04/2019 20:50

doingasurvey I had exactly the same - I was really worried they had left me
3 years - I went to see a consultant and he did a check with a camera etc and then at the end said 'no worries there at all go back to 3 years'. I have just had my 3 year smear and
It came back clear - no mention of HPV at all.

agnurse · 16/04/2019 20:58

Most cases of HPV sort themselves out within a few years.

I agree that if they were concerned they wouldn't have you wait that long - you'd be referred to colposcopy.

Original poster

Dancer12345 · 16/04/2019 22:38

Thanks all, feeling more reassured about it all now. Never had an abnormal one before so it was a bit of a surprise.

OP posts:

Thadeus · 16/04/2019 22:40

I had one come back with it and I was treated for it. Didn’t have to wait for it to go away!

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 16/04/2019 22:45

Don't something like 80% of people get HPV at some point? I mean, it's more common to have had it than not, isn't it? In some cases it may develop into abnormal cells a tiny portion of which might perhaps at some point in the future become cancerous. Isn't that right?

Blankiefan · 16/04/2019 22:47

Most people have HPV. For some it can affect cells . Generally this doesn't become a problem but is sensible to keep a regular eye on it.

I had 10 years of colposcopy appointments before they decided to treat it. Treatment was a 15 min longer colposcopy apt with no real after effects.

It doesn't have to be a drama. But do keep attending check ups.

BelaLug0si · 16/04/2019 22:53

Hi
Posters may find this useful to read: www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervical-cancer/cervical-screening/what-happens-after-cervical-screening

There's different management for
Primary HPV positive+ negative cytology (triage) = 12 month repeat
Primary HPV positive+ abnormal cytology (changes in the cells) = colposcopy referral.
The 12m repeat is to give the body time to deal with the HPV, as the cells aren't showing any changes. Many people get HPV and it goes away without treatment. It just happened to be there when you went for screening this time round.
If you're still in a primary cytology area, then your sample will have the cells examined first, and then may be HPV tested if the cells show low grade change or it's a follow up after treatment.

DarthLipgloss · 16/04/2019 23:00

I had this 20 years ago, had to have yearly smears for about 3 years then it went.

Yabbers · 16/04/2019 23:08

I had this. They had to remove some pre-cancerous cells. We’re surprised to find some microscopic cancerous cells in there. They see me every 6 months, but 2 years on, it’s all fine.

The vast majority of these cases don’t need treatment, and the vast majority of treated cases turn out to be fine.

Never google it. I learned that the hard way.

Yelloyello · 07/07/2019 17:22

Hi,
Also just had this result back as well but I’m confused as to why I’m suddenly showing hpv positive, as my last smear 3 years ago didn’t mention it and I’ve been with my boyfriend for 6 years! Does anybody know why this might have happened? Has it happened to anybody else??

hwotsit · 27/07/2019 09:04

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Writersblock2 · 27/07/2019 09:22

I wish the medical industry would stop scaremongering women. We aren’t all walking “pre” diseases. Our bodies aren’t a ticking time bomb (well, no more than the fact we will all die). Being female doesn’t equate to needing to be constantly medicalised because our vaginas are on the edge of going wrong. What happened to symptomatic treatment not “just in case” treatment?

HPV is very common and generally resolved itself.

Totoro1234 · 06/10/2019 20:59

Hi, also had smear test results back.
I'm HPV positive (doesn't state which type) and need to return in 3 months for another smear as got an insufficient number of cells to check whether they were normal or not.
Confused as I've been with my partner for 7 years and my last 2 smears were normal. I'm a bit run down at the moment and wonder if the virus has either returned as a result or actually it's been there the whole time undetected as my cells were normal at the last 2 tests.
I'm beside myself with worry and anxiety, lots going on at the moment and I just feel rubbish. Booked to see the GP tomorrow to ask some more questions.
@hwotsit sounds similar situation to me, did you get any answers/ a better understanding? Were they able to tell you which strain of HPV it was?
This thread has been really useful for me 🙂
Thank-you.

Sidalee7 · 06/10/2019 21:19

Yes I have. Had a colcoscophy which didn’t need further treatment then I had yearly smears for 2 years. Just had my 2nd clear smear and can now go to 3 yearly.

I felt really down about the HPV but I was told it’s so common, like a cold in your cervix. Apparently everyone had it at some point or other!

Takeitbackandstartallover · 06/10/2019 22:48

My lovely nurse and GP both explained most people will have it and it lies dormant before presenting for whatever reason. Nurse did ask if I smoked as that can make it harder for the body to clear the virus (I did so stopped). Had a retest six months later and then a biopsy - all was well.
She seemed completely unconcerned that I had been with DH for best part of 15 years. I was convinced he was cheating!

Totoro1234 · 07/10/2019 06:53

Thanks for this. Seems it's probably a lot more normal than I'm thinking. I have socially smoked (weekends when out) and am on the pill so maybe that's to do with why I haven't cleared it. Stopped smoking fully a few months ago and going to ask my doc about coming off the pill.

Sorry more questions--- so once it eventually presents, can the body clear it and then it goes away for good?

I have some other symptoms such as night sweats and I'm starting to wonder whether I have some autoimmune issues and that's why it's here!

Going to the GP today to talk through. Had full blood count and some other tests in relation to the sweats and all fine so far but still worried.

I'm just so stressed about it all.

Thank you for responding and talking about your experiences 🙂 xx

Marshmallow91 · 07/10/2019 06:57

On my last smear before my pregnancy (at 27), my results came back as pre-cancerous cells (level 3 changes) I went for an op to have a cold coagulation and subsequent tests have been all clear.

Luckily these cancers take a while to develop so getting checked regularly is your best defense.

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