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Women's health

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Original poster

HPV and abnormal smear- paralysed with fear!

17 replies

Ruth0505 · 05/10/2022 07:42

Hi everyone,

I'm desperately hoping someone will be able to relate to the situation I'm in at the moment and offer some sort of reassurance- I'm in anxiety hell. Following a smear taken on 26th July, I have only just received results this week which say I have tested positive for high risk HPV. It goes on to say that my cervix was checked for cell changes and changes have been noted. I have therefore been referred for a colposcopy (the appointment letter for which could take 8 weeks to arrive).

I haven't been able to stop crying and I am literally frozen with fear, unable to focus on anything else. I have a 3 year old DD and all I can think about is getting the worst possible news and leaving her and my partner behind.

I have now booked privately for the colposcopy which I'm due to have in 2 weeks time. I would be so so grateful for anyone who could offer any words of reassurance who have been in a similar position and had to have a colposcopy. My last smear was just before I had my DD and I went for my latest within the 3 year timescale. I had a c-section in July 2019 and hoping that if anything really sinister was there it would have been noticed at that point? Sad thank you so much in advance from an incredibly worried Mum! x

OP posts:
lljkk · 05/10/2022 07:51

A lot of women on MN live with +HPV, have done for years, & haven't had cancer or any problems. They just get more screening. That's what it means for you. (Chill)

Come to think of it, MIL, 76yo, had HPV detected decades ago. Never had any cancer.

Fifiellz · 05/10/2022 07:59

If there are abnormal cells they will be lasered during your colposcopy.

I had CIN 3 level changes when I was 26, had the laser treatment and yearly smears for a few years.

Never had a reoccurrence and i'm
now 47. Good luck!

Fluffybunnycat · 05/10/2022 09:29

I've been referred for abnormal cells twice now. Once I saw a consultant at the hospital where I just got a much more thorough screening, and the other time I had that followed by laser treatment to remove a small polyp. For several years I had a yearly screening but never had any problems again.
It is very stressful to be on that wait, but the whole point of all the screening is to catch things early. Thinking of you.
My friend had a hysterectomy as hers was further gone, but she was told if she wanted to try for another child first, they could do the surgery after that. She chose to have surgery straight away, but it's comforting to know that they considered it slow growing enough to delay a year or so if having another child was important to her. She's fine, ten years on. On HRT for sudden menopause but no cancer.

purpleboy · 05/10/2022 09:51

Yes I've had the same, exactly the same feelings as you, my dd was 2 they lasered the cells (which smelt like burning flesh🤢) but didn't hurt at all, and I have to have smears every year but 7 years later it's still all good.

I know the worry your going through but you'll be fine, changes take years to become something dangerous, you've been getting regular check ups so no need to worry x

Original poster
Ruth0505 · 05/10/2022 14:37

Thank you so much everyone for your encouraging words- hopefully nothing more than precautionary treatment. I'll keep my fingers crossed and try to stay calm!

OP posts:
fedup078 · 07/10/2022 10:09

I think you'd be surprised how common this is @Ruth0505
You'll be fine

Original poster
Ruth0505 · 07/10/2022 10:17

fedup078 · 07/10/2022 10:09

I think you'd be surprised how common this is @Ruth0505
You'll be fine

Thank you so much- I'm starting to realise that! Most people I have spoken to about it either have had it or know someone who have.

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 12/10/2022 22:29

Op it's quite common. My daughter has had so many abnormal smears now and has had to have treatment. It's not cancer it's just cell changes and they remove them just in case.
Her last one showed severe changes and off she had to go again for the treatment. Then this smear she had all was fine.
Try not to worry, easier said I know but this is what they look for to prevent cell changes turning nasty.

Tailfeather · 12/10/2022 22:34

I've just tested positive too and have to wait a year for another test. I'm worried too.

napody · 12/10/2022 22:38

I've had the same OP, colposcopy in two weeks. I went out of my mind with worry for two days (like you mostly thinking about my young children) then read some threads on here and hundreds of people saying theirs turned out to be nothing to worry about. Very grateful to those people!

BuffaloCauliflower · 12/10/2022 22:42

Ive got HPV (in women over 30 you’re more likely to have it that not I think, it’s that common) I’ve had two colposcopies for cell changes at smear, and biopsies, both times only CIN2 requiring no treatment. My last smear I was HPV negative (it goes dormant) and didn’t need a referral. It’s really common OP and the vastly bigger likelihood is everything is fine.

WGACA · 12/10/2022 22:44

A colposcopy is very similar to a smear. Most likely scenario is that it’ll be easily treatable and you can get on with your life 🤞

Notjusta · 12/10/2022 22:48

I had an abnormal smear, colposcopy and laser treatment 20+ years ago. Still here to tell the tale and all smears since have been normal.

Try not to worry - easier said than done I know - this really is very common and exactly why we have cervical screening. 🙂

HighBloodPressureWoes · 12/10/2022 22:49

I understand your fear. I had an abnormal smear after I had my twins, my 3&4th babies. It was only a couple of years after Jade Goody's fight and I thought the worst. I had the 2 week cancer turnaround.

When they did the colposcopy, they also removed the cells with the Lletz and took a biopsy. It came back non-cancerous and was over-healing cells.

I've been clear ever since. Pray it continues.

You'll be ok.

Meili04 · 15/10/2022 08:11

I think you will be ok OP I was on the two week pathway in fact I had my appointment the following week after the results. I've had a biopsy and I have CIN 3. I'm going for further treatment on Tuesday they gave me the appointment details on Thursday so very quick. The fact they wanted you to wait for 8 weeks might be reassuring and it could turns out to be low grade abnormalities.

Original poster
Ruth0505 · 15/10/2022 09:13

Thank you so much everyone for your reassurances; I made an appointment with a private clinic (only because I was in such a state, I couldn't have possibly waited for 8 weeks!!) and all turned out absolutely fine! The doctor (who was amazing) was extremely reassuring and in summary said that since my letter said 8 weeks, that meant that the changes were either borderline or very minor and I have absolutely nothing to worry about! He said my next smear might well be normal and there would be no need for any treatment. Thank goodness that worry is over! Grin

OP posts:
Leemoe · 16/10/2022 13:21

Really glad to hear your positive update OP x

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