To be confused and very worried to have abnormal smear after recent LLETZ

[LodiDodi]

Posting here for traffic.

Around this time last year I got the dreaded HPV positive and low grade changes on my smear test. Went for colposcopy where they took a biopsy and the gynaecologist said there was only one very very small area of change she could locate. When it was biopsied I think it came back a mix of CIN1/2 so because it wad partially CIN2 they suggested a LLETZ, and I had it done in July last year. Fast forward to this yesr and I had the 'test of cure' smear a couple of months ago. It has come back with HPV and low grade changes again :( I was really hoping it would be sorted after the procedure as apparently in the vast majority of cases (most reputable sources claim 90% of cases) it comes back clear 6 months after an LLETZ. I'm so disappointed and worried, I wouldn't be as surprised if it was only that it wad still showing HPV, but for there to be cell changes detected again I'd really bad, isn't it? When I had it investigated last year I was under the impression that the problem was extremely small and the LLETZ would be more than enough to completely resolve it.

I haven't had any children yet and I'm not sure if I even want to (not in a position to at the moment), but I hate the thought of having repeat procedures that could cause complications in pregnancy. I'm also having those 'why me' thoughts as I take really good care of myself and have never smoked.

If you have a similar story to share or know someone who's been through similar I would appreciate hearing your positive stories.

Sorry for the numerous spell errors, posting from my temperamental phone

I had this. CIN III, LLETZ, and then CIN III again, even more widepsread, at my six-month follow-up smear/colposcopy appointment. I had to have a second LLETZ with a wider margin, but that was 14 years ago and I've had no problems since. It was scary at the time and I was told I was very very unlucky, but that only 10% of the 10% have further problems after the second LLETZ.

Colposcopy are over zealous when it comes to chopping off bits of your cervix. Still having HPV is normal. CIN1 or 2 in small area isn't something to be terrified by. Request conservative management and review in 6 months. Much more preferable than losing even more of your cervix when you haven't had children yet. You could also request a dysis colposcopy which gives you much more reliable information about what you're dealing with to put your mind at rest.

Sorry to hear you went through similar but it's great you've been fine since. I suppose I'll have to wait for my colposcopy next month to get a better picture of what the problem is.

I think this may unfortunately be true. I'm now regretting having the first LLETZ done, as if I'd left it it would probably be the same or possibly CIN3 at which point I could have opted to have the LLETZ done now and then I would only have had it the one time. I had it done thinking the whole thing would be resolved but that doesn't look to be the case unfortunately, but I will have to wait for my next colposcopy next month to see what the full picture is. I think that if it's not too bad I will opt to have regular smears to monitor this time.