HPV Positive - Biopsy shows no abnormality

Hi

I got my HPV positive result in march of 2024 with 'low grade dyskaryosis' went for a colposcopy soon after that and it showed no abnormalities in the biopsy that was taken, so I was discharged from the service with my next screening to be planned in 3 years time. However, I'm worried as ive always had little bumps in the fold where my thigh creases into my pubic area on the right hand side and on the labia minora and majora. The bumps were there during my initial pap smear and when the biopsy was taken so i just assumed it was normal as the medical examiners didn't say anything (the medical practitioners who fitted my copper coil in 2023 also didn't say anything about the bumps on the area). But I've recently gotten a watery discharge that is clear but bad smelling and I swear i can feel more bumps in my thigh crease than usual. I haven't had sex or had a sexual encounter since 2021 so I must have a HPV strain that wont clear itself within 1-2 years and I don't know what I should do about testing. I can't afford to buy an at home kit to see if I still have HPV and google can't seem to give me a straight answer on whether I should be going for screenings yearly until the HPV clears or if I can ask my GP for a HPV test before my next pap smear.

Do the nurses or other HPV positive people know anything about this???

I appreciate you reading my post!

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I'm sorry you are worried about some lumps in the pubic area. The cervical screening programme is focused on the health of the cells in the cervix. If you have concerns about lumps that aren't in the cervix, it would be good to discuss these with your doctor.

    HPV can lay dormant and not active in the body. So although you have not had intimate contact since 2021, it may be that the HPV has now become active to be picked up on screening. It does not mean you have had HPV since 2021.

    The immune system can take up to 2 years to get on top of the HPV, so the body needs to be allowed to naturally rid itself of it. This is why the screening programme allows time for this to happen and only screens yearly if there were already abnormal cells present. Your colposcopy biopsy came back clear of abnormalities, so no abnormal cells were present. If abnormal cells were present, it is thought they can take years, if not treated, to mature into cancer cells.

    If you remain concerned about the 3-year wait, do discuss it with your GP, but they are not able to screen you before the allotted time frame as the laboratories will not review slides taken earlier.

    Unfortunately, there isn't anything I can tell you to do to help get rid of the HPV any quicker, but if you smoke, it is recommended that you stop as this can affect your immune system's response.

    Take care and I hope I have put your mind at ease about the screening programme.

    Sarah.

  • Hi Sarah,
    thank you for explaining this so clearly to me!