Abnormal smear….panic!!!

Liam12344 · 2025-01-16T16:59:56+00:00

Hi all, Today I had a call from the hospital saying I need an urgent Colposcopy as my smear result I had last Monday is abnormal, she couldn’t say why as she is admin. Anyway they want me in tomorrow first thing. My last smear was normal back in 2020 so it’s come as a huge shock and obviously petrified it’s something terrible. For the last two years I have got terrible low back pain but passed this off as perimenopause (I’m 44). No other symptoms. I’m also on my period but she told me to come anyway. Has anyone had any similar experiences? I’d be so grateful if you could share how things went for you. Thanks so much in advance x

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 17:06

I had abnormal cells in 2023. I had a colposcopy and they took biopsies which came back as CIN1. They were happy to leave these and I had a repeat smear 2024.

They didn’t like the look of my cervix so I was sent straight back to colposcopy before my results had time to come back but everything was OK. My abnormal cells had actually cleared on their own.

I was absolutely terrified but the staff are brilliant. I also had virtually no pain during the colposcopy biopsy.

Good luck!!

TonTonMacoute · 16/01/2025 17:06

Yes, they found some 'abnormal cells'. I had been warned that the colposcopy could be painful but I didn't find it much worse than a smear tbh.

The path result was that it was nothing serious, but I had to have more regular smear tests for a few years. Nothing came of it.

I hope that you have a similar outcome, but even if it something more serious it is good that they are moving so quickly, even if this stage is worrying.

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 17:08

Is your smear two years late or do you have them every five years?

Sureitwont · 16/01/2025 17:08

I had my smear done last week and was told that even if an abnormal result comes back, it’s still really unlikely to be, or develop into, anything more serious. Fingers crossed for you OP

LovelessRutting · 16/01/2025 17:10

I’ve had an abnormal smear and HPV and been called for a colposcopy before. In my case they couldn’t see anything at the colposcopy and didn’t take a biopsy and all my smears since have been clear.

FOJN · 16/01/2025 17:16

Abnormal smear, colposcopy referral, biopsy, CIN 3, loop diathermy, 10 x annual smears. No further problems.

Original poster

Liam12344 · 16/01/2025 17:26

Oh thank you so much ladies for taking the time to reply, means a lot. I have been sitting here going down that health anxiety rabbit hole as we do sometimes. Reassuring to hear some of your experience’s especially as I have been pretty much choosing my own coffin and wondering who will mother my 3 young children the last few hours 😬only slightly dramatic me 😁
Every smear test previously has been normal I was about 10 months late having this one Sod’s Law as was like clockwork with the rest….definitely won’t file the reminder letters again!!!!
Do the biopsies hurt when they take those? And are you fine to carry on with your normal duties afterwards etc?
Tbanks again to you all, not sure how to individually thank everyone xx

OP posts:

FourEyesGood · 16/01/2025 19:12

Another one adding to the ‘don’t panic!’ voices.
I had to go to the colposcopy clinic following my last smear a few months ago. It wasn’t painful and it turned out to be nothing.

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 19:20

I couldn’t really feel my biopsies. You cough and it’s over but you may not even need to have any 🙂.

They will take a look and if they see any areas they may put a solution onto your cervix. You can watch on the screen if you like but I opted out.

I could have carried on as normal after my first one but I took the rest of the afternoon to relax at home as I had drained myself from worrying but it was honestly fine. The staff put me at ease instantly. The second time I took myself shopping as I was so relieved it was done.

Original poster

Liam12344 · 16/01/2025 19:29

Aww ladies thank you so much you have helped ease my anxieties, have been totally overthinking and panicking. I think it just wobbled me as I have been lucky enough not to have had an abnormal smear before so was quite shocked when they called and said to come in tomorrow. Also I am totally in the dark as to what level of ‘abnormal’ smear I.e CIN level but guess that will be answered tomorrow. Xx

OP posts:

Original poster

Liam12344 · 18/01/2025 21:24

Just thought I’d give a quick update for anyone who did as I did and scrawled through umpteen old posts of others experiences.
so I went for the colposcopy yesterday still unaware of the actual results of the smear test anyway the nurse told me I was HPV positive with high grade (moderate) cell changes CIN 2.
The colposcopy it’s self was actually fine no worse than a smear, staff were lovely too. She advised a Lletz procedure to remove the cells which she did there and then again absolutely fine not painful etc just a slight pinch feeling when the local anaesthetic went in was all. Felt ok and just relaxed for the rest of the day.
Have to wait now for the results of the sample of tissue (biopsy) she took to come back apparently takes 4-6 weeks. I won’t lie am having some thoughts of ‘what if they find cancer cells in the biopsy?’ Etc. But equally the rationale side is telling me to try and chill out as worrying for 4-6 weeks isn’t going to make things any better and the outcome will still be the same regardless.

Anyway thanks to all the ladies that commented, you sharing your experiences was so helpful and did settle my anxious thoughts. I will also add another update once biopsy results are back 🤞

OP posts:

Lovetogarden555 · 05/04/2025 06:47

Liam12344 · 18/01/2025 21:24

Just thought I’d give a quick update for anyone who did as I did and scrawled through umpteen old posts of others experiences.
so I went for the colposcopy yesterday still unaware of the actual results of the smear test anyway the nurse told me I was HPV positive with high grade (moderate) cell changes CIN 2.
The colposcopy it’s self was actually fine no worse than a smear, staff were lovely too. She advised a Lletz procedure to remove the cells which she did there and then again absolutely fine not painful etc just a slight pinch feeling when the local anaesthetic went in was all. Felt ok and just relaxed for the rest of the day.
Have to wait now for the results of the sample of tissue (biopsy) she took to come back apparently takes 4-6 weeks. I won’t lie am having some thoughts of ‘what if they find cancer cells in the biopsy?’ Etc. But equally the rationale side is telling me to try and chill out as worrying for 4-6 weeks isn’t going to make things any better and the outcome will still be the same regardless.

Anyway thanks to all the ladies that commented, you sharing your experiences was so helpful and did settle my anxious thoughts. I will also add another update once biopsy results are back 🤞

@Liam12344 hello I am in same position as you and wonder what your results were after biopsy? Thank you

Seekinginfolady · 04/05/2025 18:49

Liam12344 · 18/01/2025 21:24

Just thought I’d give a quick update for anyone who did as I did and scrawled through umpteen old posts of others experiences.
so I went for the colposcopy yesterday still unaware of the actual results of the smear test anyway the nurse told me I was HPV positive with high grade (moderate) cell changes CIN 2.
The colposcopy it’s self was actually fine no worse than a smear, staff were lovely too. She advised a Lletz procedure to remove the cells which she did there and then again absolutely fine not painful etc just a slight pinch feeling when the local anaesthetic went in was all. Felt ok and just relaxed for the rest of the day.
Have to wait now for the results of the sample of tissue (biopsy) she took to come back apparently takes 4-6 weeks. I won’t lie am having some thoughts of ‘what if they find cancer cells in the biopsy?’ Etc. But equally the rationale side is telling me to try and chill out as worrying for 4-6 weeks isn’t going to make things any better and the outcome will still be the same regardless.

Anyway thanks to all the ladies that commented, you sharing your experiences was so helpful and did settle my anxious thoughts. I will also add another update once biopsy results are back 🤞

Thanks for sharing your story and your experience of the colposcopy OP. I'm hoping you have your results and they were all non-cancerous.

Original poster

Liam12344 · 09/05/2025 12:23

Just another update for anyone that maybe reading this at a later date (like I did at the time) I received my biopsy results about 5/6 weeks after the Lettz procedure and thankfully no cancerous cells they showed CIN 2 and 3 cells however clear margins so they are hopeful they removed any pre cancerous cells. I have to go back in July to have another smear ‘test of cure’ and then if that comes back ok they will do yearly smears for a while to monitor.

OP posts:

AnonWho23 · 09/05/2025 12:28

Liam12344 · 09/05/2025 12:23

Just another update for anyone that maybe reading this at a later date (like I did at the time) I received my biopsy results about 5/6 weeks after the Lettz procedure and thankfully no cancerous cells they showed CIN 2 and 3 cells however clear margins so they are hopeful they removed any pre cancerous cells. I have to go back in July to have another smear ‘test of cure’ and then if that comes back ok they will do yearly smears for a while to monitor.

That's great news.

PennyHofstadter · 09/05/2025 12:55

Such a relief Liam12344. I needed to see this today, I received a letter yesterday advising my recent smear showed HPV and abnormal cell changes and that they will refer for a colposcopy and I too have been worrying over what it means and thinking the worst. This thread has given me some much needed reassurance not to catastrophise!

dementedpixie · 09/05/2025 13:01

BlondeMamaToBe · 16/01/2025 17:08

Is your smear two years late or do you have them every five years?

In Scotland it's every 5 years, don't know about anywhere else

dementedpixie · 09/05/2025 13:03

PennyHofstadter · 09/05/2025 12:55

Such a relief Liam12344. I needed to see this today, I received a letter yesterday advising my recent smear showed HPV and abnormal cell changes and that they will refer for a colposcopy and I too have been worrying over what it means and thinking the worst. This thread has given me some much needed reassurance not to catastrophise!

My niece recently went for colposcopy after abnormal cells were found and had a biopsy. Biopsy came back as fine so she's just to have a follow up smear in 1 year.