Colposcopy referral after 3 high risk hpv samples

[Ilovepugs2017]

Hi,
I’ve just received a letter about my recent smear saying I’ll be referred for a colposcopy procedure.
I have been having yearly smears for the past 3 years due to hpv being found in my sample but no abnormal cells.
Each year it’s shown up as the same thing,
new letter says high risk hpv found in my sample but that cells are normal.
Has anyone had anything similar and what was the outcome? I’m a natural worrier so just looking for some advice from others who have been through similar.

Anyone?

Not sure this is still relevant but I had this years ago - I had the colposcopy (as I remember they did a punch biopsy - a bit ouch but not horrid) which showed “changes” they then did a cone biopsy (which was done under a general) the biopsy showed clear margins so that was that - I had check-ups for five years after but that was the only treatment needed. As I said this was a long time ago so I don’t know if it’s relevant, over 30 years ago - that just made me feel very old!

I had exactly the same thing and like you was besides myself with worry, the colposcopy came back clear and was told no smear needed for another 4 years. Please try not to worry too much, i know its easier said than done

Thanks for your reply, I’m glad to hear everything was well with you. I can’t understand why my body is not clearing the HPV, apparently 90% of people clear this within two years. My last smears before these three were always normal but then they didn’t test for HPV at that point, just looked at cell changes. I haven’t had the appt yet for colposcopy but hoping it doesn’t take too long as I’m naturally anxious about it all X

Thank you for replying. The smears haven’t found any cell changes just the HPV so don’t know if that’s a reassuring sign? My previous smears before the recent 3 were all normal but then they didn’t test for HPV at that point.
Im so glad to hear everything was ok with you X

I’m not really sure about the HPV - as far as I know it tends to go away eventually in most people - I suspect they just want to have a more detailed check - it’s scary and a rubbish situation to be in but the odds are good that it’s nothing to worry about - I hope your appointment is soon.

Thank you, I hope it’s nothing. My appointment is 4th April so at least it isn’t too much of a wait

I've commented on a previous thread (sorry I don't know how to link)
My daughter had the same for a number of years. She started taking some of the supplements recommended on the thread and then was advised to have the HPV vaccine as in her 30s starting to plan for a family. She had to pay privately for the vaccine but her recent tests have shown she has finally managed to be clear of HPV after a series of colposcopies and follow up treatments over the last 10 years.
Thankfully while at uni in Wales where they screen women earlier, hers was picked up in her early 20s.
Look at boosting your immunity as much as you can.

I think it's automatic, if you have that many smears to take a look with a colposcopy. They'll probably find nothing and you'll go back to 3 yearly smears.

I had 3 HPV positive smears showing no cell changes, went for a colposcopy and they could see changes so they did a punch biopsy, as said above slightly uncomfortable but it was fine! Biopsy showed CIN2 so I had LETZ treatment, again uncomfortable but manageable. Had period like bleeding and cramps for about 4 weeks. Results showed clear borders so no need to go back but going to be on yearly re-calls for smears for 9 years I believe and if they flag anything up in these I'll go back to colposcopy. I was very nervous OP but it all worked out fine in the end - fingers crossed for the same for you

Ok, hopefully all will go ok. Thank you for replying :)

Hiya, thanks for replying. So glad your daughter managed to finally clear it. I’m in Wales and I think it’s only over the last few years they’ve started the testing for HPV first then looking for cell changes. I know with my smears previous to 2018 hpv was never tested. I never showed up any cell changes for those or the three newer ones showing HPV, however I know like anything smears aren’t 100% accurate so I guess that’s the worry. My immune system is clearly not working at optimum level though hence me being not able to clear it within the average time frame. I will however look at ways of improving my immune system in the meanwhile, thank you for the advice :)

Thank you for your reply. I spoke to someone (from JO’s trust) & they said it’s good that the smear is picking up no cell changes. However I know that like anything smears aren’t 100% and sometimes miss things so this is my main worry I guess! Did you have any symptoms at all before your appointment with colposcopy? What does CIN2 mean if you don’t mind me asking? Btw, so glad to hear it all worked out ok for you :) that must have been such a relief

They reckon on average it takes between 5 and 12 years for the cancer to develop, i think i read that on Jo's trust. Of course plenty of people have persistent hpv for longer with no cell changes.

I had a smear showing high risk hpv and borderline changes so went for a colposcopy. The dr who did it was very clear that he wasn't expecting to see anything at all and he didn't. It's just as you say, the smear may have missed something.

Remember all of this is in place to help prevent cancer forming and that's what's happening here, they are preventing it, not expecting to see it.

I am current taling 3g daily of AHCC supplement. In a study of women with persistent HPV, 60% those who took 3g daily AHCC cleared it within 6 months of starting. I need to feel like I'm doing something positive, not just waiting and seeing.

I’ve recently had the dreaded letter too but I’m pregnant. I went for the colposcopy but they didn’t do any biopsy’s, she just said she could see the cells that were the issue and they’d need removed at a later date. I’m going for another check in a few months then they’ll be removed after I’ve had the baby. I really really dread the pain of the biopsy and the procedure 😭 I feel like I now just have longer to worry about it in advance!

I had a problem when I was younger of having verruccas (a few on each foot) and for the life of me I couldn’t get rid of them. I believe they’re caused by hpv too and some people seem to get them and not be able to get rid of them. Eventually after what I think must have been years I went for an electrolysis treatment on them and they finally went but it’s always made me think I could be at risk of this and nows obviously the time🙄

No I didn't have any symptoms at all! CIN2 means moderate cell changes. I know it all seems very scary but just try and think that things like this is exactly what this process is trying to pick up so they can catch things before it gets to the stage that it's anything serious you're welcome to message me if you have any more questions or if you just want to talk about things x

Hello, I had this a few years ago. It's standard procedure when you've tested positive for HPV 3 times. I had the first colposcopy and annoyingly it was inconclusive so I had to go back 🙁 at that point I was then given another colposcopy and another smear at the same time. Then the smear came back as negative, which I thought a trifle strange after all the back and forth! Anyway then they didn't test the cells because the HPV was suddenly negative. I felt really uneasy about it as then they switched me back to 3 yearly smears. However, 3 years later I did have my smear and no HPV detected again so all seems well.

Hi OP... there's a good subreddit about HPV which has lots of tips on how to clear it if you have it. www.reddit.com/r/HPV/

I have had trouble clearing it too, but have found on there that taking zinc supplements daily for a month or two is apparently really helpful for it and in trials cleared something crazy like 85% of people's HPV.

You need to do anything you can to stimulate your immune system. There are also other tips such as AHCC extract (mushroom pills), again proven to stimulate immune vs HPV, beta glucans etc.

Do a bit of research. I am thinking of trying the zinc for a month or two to see where I get to, but be careful you can't take it too long. I'm also taking a mushroom complex and beta glucans as well as vitamin C and doing a couple of short water fasts which I believe stimulate the immune response (Do this carefully if you are going to with lots of research and also electrolyte supplementation).

Also if you are under 45 you can get the Gardasil vaccine which I believe in a lot of people stimulates the immune system against even pre-existing HPV infections in a lot of cases even though it's not promoted to do this a lot of people find it helps. You may have to pay privately though for this.

I’ve been through this

2021 - smear reveals HPV+ but normal cells, come back in 12 months

2022- smear reveals abnormal cells, colposcopy, biopsy and LLETZ required. I found LLETZ quite traumatic due to reaction to local anaesthetic

2023 - will go for my “proof of cure” appointment in April, 6 mths after LLETZ

I’ve already decided that if there are still abnormalities I’m going to ask for hysterectomy- I’m already menopausal, grown up children so this makes sense to me

Yes I read that it takes quite a few years to develop too. Makes me wonder how long I’ve actually had hpv for though if only recently in the last few years they’ve been checking for it. I read that it’s symptomless so it’s not even something we would notice either I guess.

I’m trying to remain hopeful in regards to the fact I’ve never missed a smear and I’m 35 now so I’m guessing at some point throughout me having them it may have picked up some abnormality if there was any?! I am thankful however that they are wanting to have a closer look.

Great to hear your colposcopy went well and that you didn’t need any treatment, I bet that was such a relief! I feel like the waiting for the colposcopy is a anxiety provoking time in itself as everything runs through your mind.

The AHCC supplement sounds promising, definitely a good idea to look into ways of getting the HPV to clear.

@Dinersaur can I ask which brand of AHCC you are taking and where you got it? I was reading that some are not necessarily legit and it was seeming hard to ascertain which one/s were or not! They are also expensive.

So sorry to hear your going through this too. It’s good that they have a treatment plan in place for you when you have the baby though 💐 It’s great that they’ve managed to pick up on the cells that are causing issues for you. Was yours initially detected via a smear?

Yes I’ve had issues in the past with some things similar and it makes me wonder how long the HPV has been laying dormant in my system. I guess the most annoying aspect is the fact there are no symptoms so it’s hard to know you have it.

Thanks for elaborating on what CIN2 means I had no idea. So is that kind of like cell changes that happen before it develops fully into cancer?

So kind of you to offer for me to PM you, thanks so much I will do that. It’s nice to be able to chat to people that have been through similar as it’s such an anxious time 💐

So sorry to hear you had a bit of a nightmare time going back and forth with colposcopy’s and smears.
Great to hear that you managed to get rid of the HPV in the end though - gives me hope that in time mine may go 🙂

Thank you for the link - I will definitely have a look at that a bit later.

They sound like good tips for trying to clear the virus and I will do a bit of research into these too.

I’m actually not sure if I ever had the HPV vaccine, what age do they normally happen? I’m 35 now so I’m guessing if I did have it it might have been a long while ago!