Handhold and experience please - high-risk cervical HPV question

28 replies

NiftyBlueRobin · 27/10/2025 10:00

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted here before but I'm familiar with the site and cannot find any info about this online so am here to hopefully get people's insights from their own experience. Posting in AIBU for traffic as I doubt this would get much notice on another board.

I've done a private home cervical HPV testing kit and just got the results back telling me I have high-risk HPV detected, but not strain 16 or 18. I'm in my late twenties and have never had a cervical screening before due to vaginismus. I only became aware of the existence of home HPV tests recently and ordered one immediately.

I'm trying to get a GP appointment as I know I now need to have a proper cervical screening and they'll want to take their own sample for testing (which I'm dreading), but I haven't managed to get an appointment yet.

I've done a lot of research and know that the chances of it actually turning into cancer is statistically low, however, this is because most women's bodies clear the virus spontaneously within two years. The reason I'm so concerned is that I'm worried this won't happen for me and I'll have persistent high-risk HPV because I had verrucas for over a decade and have had warts for over two decades, so my body doesn't have a good track record of clearing HPV spontaneously. I've tried to find information online about whether your body struggling to clear low-risk HPV strains like the ones that cause warts is an indication that your body will also struggle to clear high-risk cervical strains, but can't find any information whatsoever.

So, if anyone reading this has a similar history of their body being crap at clearing warts/verrucas and has also had a diagnosis of high-risk cervical HPV, please could you tell me what happened in your case? How long did your cervical HPV take to clear? Did you end up with persistent HPV? Did you have complications?

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Original poster

NiftyBlueRobin · 27/10/2025 22:24

CrystalSingerFan · 27/10/2025 16:32

@NiftyBlueRobin "I was planning on bringing a flask of whiskey to my smear test for some liquid courage"

Aaah, that reminds me of a discussion I once had with my dentist. (I'm a huge coward with any kind of pain.) She said no, medics/dentists don't consider that acceptable. (I personally would have chosen Southern Comfort.) Mild pain, ask your GP for tranquilisers. Big stuff, pay money for conscious sedation. Brilliant. Albeit expensive.

Another thing is to ASK for a couple of tranquilisers - one for the night before, one for the morning of the appointment. If vaginismus is untreatable AND they don't care, they're not going to offer, presumably.

Another suggestion is that I was told to ask for the most obstetrically experienced nurse in my GP practice for my smear appointment. Try that too? (I had a useless newbie recently who asked if she might call upon a more experienced colleague after a few failed attempts (unavailable) and we had to reschedule. And then the inevitable colposcopy.)

I will definitely ask them for some tranquilizers! Is there a specific type you've used that you had good results with @CrystalSingerFan? I will also ask for the most experienced nurse, thanks for these suggestions they're helping me feel like I'll be more in control during the appointment.

I may still bring the flask of whiskey just in case though. Surely a drunk smear is better than no smear?!

OP posts:

Original poster

NiftyBlueRobin · 27/10/2025 22:25

Remy87 · 27/10/2025 16:36

Had the same worries! I took a while to clear mine - 4/5 years maybe (who knows how long I had it before found too!) had annual colposcopy and it eventually went. And I had no problem getting pregnant- now have a 9 month old! Try not to worry it’s quite common and you’ll be monitored

Thanks @Remy87, this is really reassuring to hear.

OP posts:

CrystalSingerFan · 28/10/2025 01:24

NiftyBlueRobin · 27/10/2025 22:24

I may still bring the flask of whiskey just in case though. Surely a drunk smear is better than no smear?!

Show quote history

Well, I can't remember what I've had in the past. Probably benzodiazepines. Most importantly is, my private dentist can't prescribe sedatives, so you have to ask your GP. For smears, with someone with vaginismus, I can't advise. But ask for something temporary but effective.

Flip

1 2