Hello Lfa and thanks for posting, 

Colposcopy examinations are done both to look into symptoms that might be due to a disease of the cervix and also sometimes as part of the cervical screening service which is designed to prevent cervical cancer from developing.  

I think in your situation, you were referred to have some abnormal bleeding investigated, this can sometimes happen because of cervical cancer so your doctor may have wanted to rule this out.  I assume cancer has been ruled out but you have been told you have a potentially precancerous condition (CIN1) which is only usually picked up on screening - this is because CIN doesn't usually cause any noticeable symptoms.

I expect the smear was taken to add to the impression already formed from the colposcopy examination and biopsy result as this is what happens in cervical screening - all three examinations are taken into account. In a way you have had these tests back to front - in cervical screening women have a smear first and then if they test HPV positive some might have a colposcopy, but only if abnormal cells were seen as well. If no abnormal cells were seen and HPV is detected on the smear, another smear in a year's time would be the next routine step in screening. 

CIN 1 often goes away by itself over time once HPV clears up, but it can take a year or more for the body's immune system to get on top of the virus. Waiting a year before your next smear gives your body a chance for this to happen.

I am not really sure what the colposcopy nurse meant. The results of the cell examinations from smear tests don't always go hand in hand with a colposcopy examination or the biopsy results. But this doesn't mean the the sample was inadequate.  I think it probably would help to talk this over with your doctor and also to go through your original symptoms to ask if any other tests need to be done and what else might be the matter.

Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, from 9-5. 

Best wishes,

Julia