Smear Test Result, Bit Concerned…

[PurpleRayne89]

I’m 34. All smear results have always been positive for HPV and abnormal cells. I had my smear a few weeks ago and they said it’s negative for HPV and I should have my next test in 2026. I’m thinking perhaps enough cells were not collected.

Can you all of a sudden not test positive for HPV. I thought it was always positive and would be picked up even if it wasn’t causing cell changes. Does anyone have any experience with this or have any input! I’ll have to contact my GP but it’ll be 6-weeks for an appointment as it’s not urgent in their eyes.

No can go negative x

I can't comment on the abnormal cell part, but HPV itself can go away! Mine did, it was on my first smear and then gone by the yearly recall. Now on the normal pathway. Same happened to my friend as well although hers appeared twice before going.

Yes HPV often clears spontaneously

Hi, smear nurse here.
HPV is a virus that is moved around through sexual contact.
It doesn't need any treatment as your immune system will clear it itself. But for those who haven't had the HPV vaccine, it can take 2-4 years for your body to clear it.
It's the HPV that causes the changes in the cells in almost all cases.
A few, but not all areas of the UK now test every smear sample for HPV initially.
If there is no HPV your next smear will be 3 years if under 50 and 5 years if aged over 50.
If the sample does contain HPV, they will then check the cells to see if they have started to change.
If the cells are normal, you will be invited for your next smear in 1 year, because you have HPV meaning that changes can start happening.
If the cells are abnormal, you will get an appt with coloposcopy for further testing.
If you ever get told you have HPV, you want to get your immune system as strong as possible, so it clears it as quickly as possible. So over the counter vitamins are a good idea, vitamin D in particular. And smoking dampens the immune system to quit, or at the very least cut down.
Hope this helps.
As you are currently HPV negative you're back to normal recalls of 3 yearly. In the mean time if you have any symptoms you're worried about (pain, bleeding between cycles or after sex, bloating) then make an appt with your GP who can examine you and refer you on as appropriate eg. To coloposcopy or for an ultrasound.

Thanks everyone!!!