To panic about smear results

[Hadituptoheremate]

Hi everyone just here for a hand hold I supposed (or if anyone has had similar)
Ive just had my first smear test at 27 as I have been having extremely long irregular periods for around 6 months which is unusual for me (think three weeks of bleeding).
anyway, so when I had it I was told that they were looking for hpv virus and cell changes and that if I was hpv positive or had any changes (not sure how they can say I’ve had changes if there’s nothing to compare) that I would be invited back in a year to see if anything was different.
ive now had a call from my gp to say they’ve detected hpv AND abnormal cells and I’m booked in for a colposcopy in two weeks time. She went through some symptoms of cervical cancer with me and now I’m panicked as since my smear test I’ve lost a stone in weight, I constantly have a niggling feeling sort of like mild period cramp and when I have sex it does feel like my cervix is bruised. No spotting or discharge though which is reassuring I suppose. Also, during the smear the nurse did say I had ectropian on my cervix. from Google searching (I know I know) I assume they will just burn the cells off at my colposcopy? I’m just so worried I’m going to have it done and it’s going to be actual cancer

a side note regarding hpv, the reason I’m worried is that I’ve been with the same sexual partner for 6 years so the virus must have been in my body for at least that long or longer if I had it from before him, this is worrying me as it will have had so long to make changes to my cells

Really try not to worry. Most sexually active adult women have HPV. I had a colposcopy at your age for abnormal cells. In the end, they weren’t abnormal enough to worry about. My smears went back to normal after about 2 years and I’ve never had an issue since. I also have cervical ectropion, which is also pretty normal and unrelated. You tend to get it if you’ve been on the pill. It’s no big deal. I had a biopsy but nothing more and no further issues in 15 years. It really is pretty common so I’d try not to worry too much, but good you’re getting it looked at.

Please don't worry. There is a very high chance that everything will be fine. The whole smear testing system has changed in recent years.
Now it seems that by simplifying it, it causes so much more stress.

I had the positive HPV 'smear' then an all clear a year later. I'd have preferred the old fashioned smear test when I knew how I stood.

Wondering how you got on? I am going through similar just now ! Thank you so much hope everything’s ok

I had abnormal cells removed 7 years ago. Had been with my husband for 17 years. I believe it can lie dormant for years.
All negative tests since.
it’s very common try not to worry x

@Hadituptoheremate Did you have any updates on your colposcopy? I have one due next week for low grade changes and i’m petrified there going to say it’s worse than the original smear results.