Health anxiety getting in my head re Pap smear … can anyone reassure?

[Number3pending2024]

Hi all, sorry this will be long
long time health anxiety sufferer here (ramped up hugely since I had young children ) so I’m well aware I can’t seem to control my perspective. I have 3 kids under 5 and I spiral that something bad will happen to me :(

current situation which is worrying me is this:
Background - my first smear test 7 years ago was hpv positive and low grade abnormal. Colposcopy confirmed nothing untoward and my next two smears were clear. Back on the 5 year checks.

My most recent smear was due when I was pregnant with my 3rd baby (dr advised to wait until he was born) so is about 8 months late.

since I had him 4 months ago when have had sex probably once a fornight and each time I get 1/2 days of light bleeding that starts pink and turns quickly brown. I assumed this may be something to do with giving birth recently. Only just got round to making an appointment with the gp as baby is now 4 months this has happened probably 4/5 times (maybe not every single time I can’t really remember).

anyway I made a gp app and asked to have Pap smear at the same time which I had 3 days ago. Gp said all post capital bleeding should be investigated and I had blood test and urine done and am waiting for a gynae app. Blood and urine came back normal - still waiting on the smear. I guess if she saw anything sinister she would have said?

Dr Google is freaking me out about cervical cancer obviously :(

my husband says I’m panicking unnecessarily and I just had a baby - if I had cancer it would show and someone would have noticed etc etc. also it’s only just over 5 years since my last normal smear and apparently cervical cancer usually grows ver slowly? So it would be unlikely?

im so worried. Would the blood test show up some abnormalities?

Just trying to seek reassurance while waiting for the results/ gynae follow up. sorry it’s so long, my heads scrambled .

Also if it’s relevant I had the same 1/2 days bleeding after the smear test

Bump

This is why I no longer go for pap smears.

Statistically it's extremely unlikely. 0.7% of women get diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime.

I didn’t realise it was that low, thank you. Desperately trying to not go to the worst case senario

This is a very silly decision.

OP please try not to fret. It is likely if they saw something suspicious when doing the smear they would have said and escalated a possible referral. My gynaecologist told me when I had mine everything looked as it should. Obviously he can't see cell changes but he would be able to see if something is seriously wrong!

Pregnancy puts a huge strain on your body and makes it do lots of silly things.

Please try not to worry. Easy for me to say I know! Sending hugs xx

It’s unlikely. I was in a similar position after my last dd. I had a hpv positive smear just before I got pregnant so had to wait until after I had her for another smear. I was convinced something was wrong as had all manner of spotting and pain after sex. I have had two clear smears. I’ve also had quite a few swabs taken and vaginal exams. Eventually it was picked up I had bacterial vaginosis and got some antibiotics the pain has been a lot better. Have they swabbed you ? also yes they can also see abnormalities by eye. My money would be you’re fine

@Mullercornerbliss That's an overexaggeration. It's quite a small risk (0.7% lifetime risk) one that I'm willing to take, and bear the consequences of. I live a healthy lifestyle. A "very silly decision" is driving with no seatbelt or getting into a romantic relationship with a known abuser. Women are much more likely to be abused (25% lifetime risk) or get in a car accident than get cervical cancer.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-i-m-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

It’s good that it is all being checked but the likelihood is that all will be fine. I had similar symptoms after pregnancy and had a colposcopy that showed cervical ectropion (basically cervical cells from inside cervix growing on outside of cervix). It is common and harmless.

@Number3pending2024 Most likely it will be all fine and you know that. However, I completely understand. I fight anxieties too. I am myself now waiting for further tests and based on that either hysteroscopy or hysterectomy. In my case it is caused either by adenomyosis or a polyp I have or who knows (here it comes). However, I had spotting in the past. Once a cyst, once a polyp, another time just hormonal. There are so many reasons, most of them are very innocent and simple to resolve. You have done the right thing. I have also young kids, so I get you. What I try to do (not always very successfully) is to try to think I have done what I could, I am taking step by step approach and therefore I am in control. You are too. I also go through the scenario of the worst outcome but again, there is a good chance that can be resolved too. If all fails, I can’t sleep, I do watch something very easy to watch to take my mind from negative thoughts. We are in a similar situation, so we are not alone. Let’s fight the anxieties together. Not sure where you are but if in the UK, it looks like a sunny day, let’s try to do something nice with the kids.

@bibop - sorry I disagree, in my opinion it is a very silly decision. I hope it is the right one for you.

Thank you this really helped me. I find it so reassuring to think that I’m not the only one who can’t stop the worry or negative thoughts coming in. It’s really the only aspect of my life I feel anxiety but once I get something in my head to worry about health wise I just cannot stop. It doesn’t help that a few people I know have been seriously unwell lately and someone very sadly died who is not much older than me so that plays on my mind so much.

Focusing on other things does help so thank you for the suggestion. With 3 littles it’s easy to find something else to focus on! Hope you have a good day

@Number3pending2024 I am sorry to hear about your friends. That is the thing, when you start talking to people, many have worries, things to go through. You might be one of the people who tries to help. Now it is difficult as you have your own worries. However, at this time our real biggest enemy is our anxiety. Happy to chat any time, we can fight it together, let’s take it day by day. Thank you as well and let’s feed the kids. 🙂

Thanks for sharing your experience. Did this calm down over time?