HPV results - terrified and posting for traffic

[MissBehaving1000]

Hi All

Posting on AIBU... I know I'm not but just looking for traffic as I know the other boards can be quiet.

Got my cervical screening results back today, and they say I've tested positive for HPV.

I'm so upset, shocked, and disappointed.

I've read historic threads but can't find anything recent which has prompted me to start this one

Not only do I have HPV but low-grade dyskaryosis and need to go for a colposcopy

I have googled and researched threads on here but they seem to be years ago.

Would welcome any up to date advice from women that have been through similar. Thanks.

I think they must not have explained things to you very well - about 80% of the population are HPV positive at some point, and it often clears within a year or two. It is true that cervical cancers only occur in people who are HPV positive, but it DOESN’T mean you have or will have cancer. There’s really no need to be upset.

I found this which might help you; scroll down to:

'What causes an abnormal result' and 'low grade dyskaryosis'.

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about .

Low grade dyskariosis basically means that there is a change in the appearance of the cells. This can be caused by a number of things including an erosion. It is not cancer but as the Hpv is a precursor to cervical cancer a colposcopy will allow them to have a closer look and zap away any suspicious ones.

Don't be ashamed!!! Majority of us will get it at some time or another. Sending hugs though.

Not a doctor but read that vitamin D helps.

Don’t worry and don’t feel badly. It’s truly so very common.

I had this. Something like 80% of the sexually active community have HPV, it's really common.

I had a colposcopy and biopsy showing CIN level 2. I had LLETZ treatment (where they burned off the affected area). I got an infection from the LLETZ but a course of antibiotics cleared it very quickly. Neither the biopsy nor LLETZ hurt. They were a bit uncomfortable and the biopsy pinched a bit but was over really quickly (it felt like when you accidentally pinch skin whilst tweezing your eyebrows!).

I had to have 3 follow up smears over 18months and then 1 a year until 5 years after the LLETZ. I've not had an issue since. I'm 11years clear now.

Back when I was diagnosed it was a pilot scheme where they tested for HPV, I'm very glad they did, as otherwise I wouldn't have had the biopsy (colposcopy wasn't normally given to low grade dyskariosis then) and may have lived with CIN2 for 3 more years.

I've gone on to have 2 healthy kids.

Not only do I have HPV but low-grade dyskaryosis and need to go for a colposcopy
I had this about two years ago and had to go for the check.
The procedure itself was a bit awkward and uncomfortable (same way the smear is for me imo) but not painful and the medical staff were very supportive and clearly used to putting worried women at their ease!
I found the whole thing pretty scary but in the end, my results were fine and I had to start doing smears yearly to be safe.
I've just had the second results back which showed no sign of HPV or other changes.
I think it's a quite common experience for women, although that doesn't stop us from worrying when it happens.
My understanding is also that most people who are sexually active have or have had HPV.
You almost certainly don't need to worry!

I’ve had exactly the same experience as @pumpandthump above, incl going on to have two healthy kids. I understand your concern but the treatment is fine. Nothing to worry about and you will be absolutely fine x

It's really common. I had it twenty years ago and haven't had any issues since being treated. My screenings have always come back clear.

well at least its been picked up
hope that you don't have to wait too long for follow ups, and they go well.

I had this; had a colposcopy and some cells removed although not everyone needs cells removed and after a 6 month all clear smear I’m back on the every 5 years routine. They were quite relaxed about it and said just to keep up with my smear tests and that HPV is very common hence why they know vaccinate against it. It’s normal to worry about the changes but the HPV will be positive for a lot of people but won’t always be know about. Interestingly they asked several times if I smoked though as that’s a big risk factor.

I had the exact same results as you 2 years ago. I had a colposopy and was told everything was fine. I havent heard anything about it since. Try not to worry. As PPs have mentioned, it's fairly common.

In fact, I’ve just remembered - when I was pregnant and had the screening tests done, and it came back HPV negative, the midwife actually said “ooh, don’t see many of those!” - that’s how common it is.

It's scary but do not panic. I had the same. Easily fixed it's just a bit scary but the procedure is very simple.

I’ve had this. As others have said, a large % of the population is positive for HPV at any time and it has no symptoms and clears up by itself. But we’re so lucky to live in a country with a screening programme to investigate further just in case. I went for a colposcopy- a bit like a longer version of a smear (I can give more details if you’d like) and the results of that came back clear. I was called for a smear 12 months later, which came back clear, I am now back in the normal smear cycle.

I had abnormal cells. Idk if it was HPV but this is the most common cause. Colposcopy mid 20’s. One child some time later. Then hysterectomy approx 20 years later. No issues in between.

I was told I had HPV 2 years ago and really panicked! This years smear was clear of HPV.

Really, don't panic!

Very common. I had this when I was 27. I had a colposcopy and they found the area of abnormal cells and said as it was small they’d monitor it. Went back every 6 months until I fell pregnant at 29, had a check 6 months after DD1 was born and the cells had gone. Now have 3DC and smears have been clear ever since.

Back in 2004 I had the same letter. Went for a colposcopy, had a biopsy taken. Cells were graded CIN 1 (first stage of cell changes). Every smear since has been clear and I’ve had no further issues.

One piece of advice - make sure you get a local anaesthetic for the biopsy if they take one. I didn’t and massively regretted it later! I find smear tests very painful but the colposcopy examination was about the same as that in terms of pain, nothing horrendous - it was only the biopsy that was really unpleasant but that would have been avoided with a local anaesthetic.

I had CIN3 about 6 yrs ago. Colposcopy and LETZ to remove.

I've had no further problems. Just had a smear in fact, which came back clear

I was positive for HPV 3 years ago with mild grade changes also.

I went for a colonoscopy and they found an area that was potentially high grade too so they biopsied it. It had the added bonus of removing those cells so if it was high grade they were gone.

The biopsy was fine - no high grade changes. I was given a 6 month wait to return as low grade changes often go back to normal on their own.

Back 6 months later for another colposcopy and all normal again. They did a second smear just to make sure which came back with no changes and returned to 3 year smears.

My last smear shows HPV again but no changes. I’m being recalled in a year to see if the HPV has cleared.

Basically - don’t worry (easier said than done). They tend to do conservative management with low changes and they see it aaaaalllllll the time. They are however taking a closer to look to be thorough and reassure you. Good luck x

I don’t know why that says colonoscopy when I clearly wrote colposcopy. Oh yes my dear phone autocorrecting. Don’t worry - no bums involved!!

I tested positive for HPV in 2018, was very upset and spent a year with it on the back of my mind. Had a repeat smear in 2019 and all came back clear and negative for HPV. It's very very common in women of child bearing age to test positive for HPV at sometime and for it to clear up completely on its own within a year. Please don't worry too much xxx

Everyone and their auntie has HPV. I was in and out of colposcopy clinics for 16 years before they decided to treat my CIN. (Doc didn't want to treat until after I'd finished my family - I'm 43 now and DH has been snipped). Its a faff but little more than that.

The most important thing is to continue to attend any colposcopy or future smear tests so everything can be monitored. It can progress but doesn't for most people.

Try not to worry op. I had an abnormal smear with CINI and CINII (hpv negative though). I remember being shit scared about the colposcopy and I really shouldn't have been. Its basically like a smear and I had no pain at all with the biopsy. The worse thing for was seeing a close up view of my cervix

I had to have my cells removed as from the time I had my colposcopy and the cells removed (had procedure under GA) they went from medium to high grade. If yours if low grade chances are they will just keep an eye of them to see if they go away by themselves