Smear result HPV

[Beaverdam]

Hello. I feel like I have been going crazy since I received my smear result and posting here to see if anyone else is in a simular position. I have tested hpv positive with no abnormalities. The NHS have only just started testing for it but I knew I had it 9 years ago but was assured it would go away on its own within two years.

I'm worried sick. How has it stayed in my system for 9 years? I read that it can come and go and I was really run down after having my baby (went down to 6 stone, infection etc) so hoping that it was dormant but came back due to being so ill.

Aibu to be this worried? I called the number in the cervical screening letter and the lady said that almost everyone gets it at some point and my body will fight it off but I can't sleep and feel so helpless.

I had a positive HPV with no abnormalities this year so it was repeated this year and still the same.

I’m being sent for a colposcopy so they can take a closer look. I’ve been feeling a bit scared about having the virus and stupidly thinking about worst case scenarios (despite having no abnormalities!) but also kind of reassured it is being checked out thoroughly.

Could you ask your GP if they will be doing any further investigations as a result of you having it

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Do you know what happens after they send you for a colpscopy? Yes i am going to the GP tomorrow to request closer inspection because it's been years and it's still there.

Annunaki, yes the lady in the phone said that smoking can prevent you from clearing it. I don't smoke. May I ask how old you are? I'm not sure if you could be passing it back and forth between you and your partner - I've been wondering the same.

If you have had it all that time and it hasn't caused any abnormality I really wouldn't worry. Chances are you've gotten rid of it and it's come back because your run down. There is a lot of research to suggest that HPV never completely goes away but it can clear up and come back almost like a coldsore. Please don't worry, just keep vigilant with attending your smears.

I had an abnormal smear/area affecred. The nurse (I think) that did the colcoscopy said to focus on healthy eating and berries every day which I did my best to do along with controlling my stress levels - and all was clear the following year when I returned for a check up.

Can you use this experience as a catalyst for being super healthy to help your immune system beat it?

I'm in the same position as you OP. My HPV was picked up in a smear test last year, and I've been told to come back for another test in a years time (actually should be in a few months time). I could have had this for 20 years and not known. I have always gone for regular smears with no issues picked up. I think it means going forward having a yearly smear test, but will see what they say. Don't understand the need for further testing if everything is otherwise normal? I realise having HPV makes it more likely you'll get cervical cancer, but doesn't mean you definitely will. I'm grateful for the more regular monitoring though.

Interesting what you say about stress, Tomataoplant, the last few years have been extremely stressful for me, didn't realise the two could be linked.

I had a slightly abnormal result a number of years back, then about a decade later the same again and they said I had HPV so I had a colposcopy and one more a year later. Seeing the healthy fat pink doughnut of a cervix a year later I felt sorry for the darker shrivelled one at my first screening. Anyway, it's all still fine 5 years or so later, so it can definitely come and go with no treatment nor bad effects. If there were to be a problem you'd want it dealt with quickly as then you can recover quickly, but it might be that it'll just clear up like mine. The colposcopy is interesting anyway, it's the only time in your life you'll get to have a look at your own cervix so I highly recommend watching on the screen.

I had this on my smear 2 years ago. It was repeated last year, still had hpv and no abnormalities.
Due my 3rd yearly test next month. Apparently if there's still hpv present I'll get sent for colp.

I don't smoke (used to but stopped 5 years ago) and I've been married for 11 years.
About 9 years ago I had Cin3 and needed lletz treatment but clear after that.
I have no idea why the hpv has come back, although I read that it can reappear around perimenopause.

Its frustrating and worrying, although the yearly tests and no obvious symptoms present do hopefully point to nothing untoward going on.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I guess being on yearly smears is a good thing as their monitoring.

Thank you @annunaki I have some perspective after the initial shock. It's never nice to find out these things but it's n9t the end of the world.

A female relative of mine who's been in a (to the very best of my knowledge) monogamous relationship for about 24 years had an HPV pos result recently (,first year testing for HPV in regional trust I think) .. I posted on here for info and wad told it might lie dormant in some people, that it might be passed back and forth between partners etc.

Before that I had thought almost everyone cleared it within a couple of years,evidently not that simple.

*was