HPV positive inconclusive smear

[Bubbles4eva]

DD24 has just had first ever smear test which came back HPV positive but inconclusive result for cell abnormalities so she has to go back in 3 months for a repeat.
Apparently the nurse had trouble doing the smear as her cervix is very high? Will this make much of a difference to the next one?
She is in absolute bits at the moment and I want to reassure her with real stories rather than scaremongering which she will read online.
I know HPV is very common and she was vaccinated when she was at school so this might offer some protection, although I know not all strains are covered.
Who knows where she picked this up. Might have had it for years but that’s irrelevant at the moment.
I know we will have to wait for the next test before we know what’s happening but can anyone advise or offer any words of reassurance? Have you had experience of similar?

Thank you so much. That’s very helpful x

bzarda can I just ask? When your test was inconclusive, what was the procedure? Did they test you again before sending you for the colposcopy? DD has to have another test in 3 months then I assume if any cell changes they will send her.

I’ve gone down an absolute rabbit hole of HPV worry and research. Awake most of the night!

Hi Bubbles4eva
Dd has just got her invite for her first smear and after reading the leaflet, I didn’t realise they test for HPV first and only then go on to check cells if positive.

I did not know just how extremely common HPV is. DD’s friend just tested positive and she’s gay so anyone can get it and being careful and using condoms does not stop this being passed on. Also a friend of mine who is in her fifties and been married for 30 years, tested positive for HPV and is just on annual smears.
I was going to say don’t worry but if you are anything like me you will anyway. Hope things turn out ok and keep us updated

Thanks Fluffyfeathers. I knew virtually nothing about this until DD had her test but yes it seems to be very common. I guess people just get on with it and don’t fuss like me but that’s what I do - catastrophise and panic 😱

I understand, I was really worried too.
I was initially sent for another smear just like your DD and then sent to colposcopy. They didn't take a biopsy as they said the cell changes were not developed. I then had a smear every year for the next 2 years, and I was sent to colposcopy again after my 3rd smear as again my test was inconclusive and because of my previous history they wanted to be cautious. Again, no biopsy or treatment needed.
So in total I had 4 smears in 3 years and 2 colposcopies, every smear I had high risk HPV.
I recently had a smear that was completely clear and am now back to smears every 3 years, so it took about 4 years and a pregnancy for the HPV to leave my body. For what it's worth, my midwife has commented that my cervix is high up and hard to reach too, so that may be the reason for the 2 inconclusive results and your DDs inconclusive too.

Thank you so much for replying. I’m pleased your last test was negative.
At least we will know what to expect along the way.
I am hiding just how worried I am from DD, but that’s my anxiety problem and a whole different story.
The consensus seems to be that it’s not such a big deal, it’s very common and it’s good that you are closely monitored so that anything can be caught early and dealt with.
I have to stop the “what ifs”

Thank you :)
100%. It's very easy to panic and I did massively too, but the NHS were amazing and having the yearly check ups was really good for my anxiety as I knew they were constantly on top of it. If it helps too literally every friend I have told about this has said at some point they've had HPV at a smear too.
Fingers crossed your daughters next smear goes well and everything is fine x

30 years wow
What scares me is how many ppl think that once you get a negative result and either stay single or don't change partner they don't have to go for another smear.
Mine flared up again after pregnancy 10 years after having cells removed

The only answer is to just keep going for your smears when due and keep on top of things. We don’t know the personal situation of the 30 years married case so can’t comment on that.
Testing for HPV at smears is a relatively new thing so maybe it’s been around for ages and we just didn’t know?

Right I’ve got to stop searching now. There’s always someone with a horror story that undoes all of the progress I’ve made.

Hi OP I've had exactly your DD situation and was also terrified - partly because I was a year late for my smear due to being pregnant. My sample was apparently inadequate due to contamination with the lubricant gel if I recall. I had a second smear 3 months later which was also HPV pos with no abnormal cells so had a further one the following year with the same result - HPV and no abnormal cells.
As a result I was referred for colposcopy - they couldn't see any changes or concerns but did a biopsy anyway which came back completely clear so I was put back in for 3 yearly smears (due this year).
As an aside when they did the biopsy I bled a ridiculous amount which is apparently unusual and terrified me so I was sure was a sign of something but I was assured it would just be a fluke that a blood vessel was nicked or something and not a sign of cancer and they were right.

Thank you zaffa. I appreciate your reply and I’m glad everything was/is ok with you.

Im jumping to conclusions here and must admit I’m in a right state. Been crying most of the day which is ridiculous. It was just such a shock to get the positive HPV letter. Was just not expecting that, which just goes to show how little I know of this thing.

I’ve been searching for positive stories but you always come across the bad ones ! Got to be positive and whatever happens - hopefully nothing - we will deal with it.

Thanks to all for putting up with my madness x

Honestly It really is nothing to worry about! Out of my 6 closest female friends, 5 of us have had abnormal smears (most of us more then once) and 2 of those 5 have had LLETZ. In fact I have my LLETZ this coming Weds and I’m genuinely not worried about it as it’s so common.

however, I do know that all these friends and me were worried the first time we ever received the letter. However, by talking to other people you realise that the chances of it being something very sinister are low.

Thank you Jennyjojo5. Think it’s the HPV positive status that got us tbh. It sounds so scary as if you are destined to get cervical cancer.

I’ve been with dh 34 years and had a hpv positive result. I felt so sick and so worried. No idea how I got it. I had a very traumatic year and wonder if the stress triggered it. But anyway it was positive but cells were ok. Another year and another test and still positive. It hadn’t gone and I was sick with worry. But cells still ok. The third year one it had gone. But because no virus they don’t check for cells. I wish they would have!! But anyway the message is that it took me over two years to clear it. But I had no further investigation for it.

Thank you Custardpudding. It
really is common isn’t it? I’m 60 and I might have it too. Who knows.
Wonder why they don’t check for cells the final time?

Snap. Hopefully your dd will get the all clear for abnormal cells, op.

She potentially might have had it for 8 years though seeing as it’s her first smear. First bf at 16. But then again so might many people seeing as they didn’t start testing till quite recently.
Does being vaccinated have any positive impact?
Here I go again 🙄

I recently had a smear that was completely clear and am now back to smears every 3 years, so it took about 4 years and a pregnancy for the HPV to leave my body.

bzarda the HPV hasn't actually 'left your body'. It's just dormant.