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HPV 3 years minimum

Debzz
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Hi, 

I'm after a bit of advice from anyone who may have been in the same boat as me.

My last 3 smears (yearly) have been HPV positive,  no abnormal cells.  But now I've got an appointment for a colposcopy next month.

I know it's good that no abnormal cells have been detected but I've heard that there is a possibility the smear test could not pick them up as it does not take the cells from high up enough in the cervix, is this the case?

 

Bit of additional background - I'm 42, same partner for 20 years. had an ultrasound a couple of years ago as i was suffering from occasional pelvic pain,  all came back normal.  About 20 years ago i was sent for a colposcopy as smear showed abnormal cells.  I seem to remember the doctor showed me an area of white cells at that appointment that could turn pre cancerous but no further treatment needed and all smears after that point were normal, until the first HPV positive one in 2020, which would have been my first one since they started testing for HPV.

 

So adding all that together,  I'm now panicking that I've had HPV for donkeys years, smears have never picked up abnormal cells and when i go for the colposcopy I'll get the worst new ever.....

 

Anyone having a similar experience to me?

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    Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your results, mine just came back too and I'm so worried I feel sick all the time. 
     

    I have just been invited for my first smear as I'm still only 24, my results came back HPV positive and low grade dyskaryosis which was a huge shock but I'm also very worried as I've booked to go travelling for a year at the end of October. Im unsure whether I should just pay to go private, then hopefully if it's nothing to worry about I can get my results back and go, and if I need more doing I will have enough time to rearrange my plans. 
     

    I too am really worried as I haven't had a smear before, what if these problems have been around for years and I never knew! I can relate to your worry, there's so many things to think about 

  • Offline in reply to popsrock

    Hi popsrock! 

     

    I had my first smear 3 years ago at age 24 and was HPV positive, with some changes (borderline) following this I had a coloscopy pretty soon after. They where very good and showed you the camera so you could see everything too and advised there and then that all was OK.

     

    It's hard but if they are only low changes don't stress too much! Hope this helps x

  • Offline

    Hello Debzz,

    I posted a message yesterday on the hpv and hsv page. I have a similar story to you. I have been with my husband for 35 years. Had an abnormal smear, genital warts and a colposcopy over 30 years ago. I've had normal smears since up until April 2021 when I had an hpv positive, no abnormal cells result. Had another one in April this year and my letter said that there was no need to worry and I just have to wait for another year to be tested again. I  have googled everything I could on hpv and have been worried about cervical cancer, just like you. I saw my GP yesterday and she said that she couldn't tell me what strain of hpv I have as it's not recorded. She also thought that if I tested positive for hpv but no abnormal cells next year, then I would just have to wait another year and have another test. There would be no further examinations if they don't find abnormal cells in the smear. I was wondering if you were sent a letter with your 3rd positive smear result calling you in for your colposcopy or if you asked for further examination? I read somewhere that after 3 years positive - you would be automatically invited. My GP says that's not the case but surely she's wrong. Do you know what strain of hpv you have? 
    I'm sorry you are going through this but it's good that you are going to have a proper examination. I can't tell you not to worry but hope your colposcopy reveals that everything is ok. I am going to try to speak to someone at my local sexual health clinic. There must be someone there that can give me advice. Perhaps you could do the same. They may be able to put your mind at ease.

    Xxxx

     

  • Offline in reply to Devonmum

    Hi Devonmum,

    Thanks for your reply. Sorry you're going through this too.

     

    That's exactly the case, 3rd positive HPV test even if no abnormal cells triggers you getting sent for colposcopy. 

    So i had positive HPV smear in 2020, 2021 and now 2022. When i got my last letter it said again there were no abnormal cells but 3 years testing positive for HPV you get referred so I've got my colposcopy booked in for September. 

    Regarding the strain of HPV,  as I understand it, they only test for the high risk ones as these are the ones that can potentially cause abnormal cells.

    So in your case, if you've had 2 positive HPV's you'll be invited for another within a year, if still HPV positive then you'll get sent for colposcopy. 

    Hope this helps xx

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Debzz

    Thank you for letting me know. It's unfortunate that they don't inform you of this in their letter. Hope all goes well for you in September.

    x

  • Offline in reply to Throwaway1972

    Thank you so much, this is a huge relief knowing you have been through the same thing and all was fine. 

  • Offline in reply to popsrock

    Well, I've got colposcopy on Thursday as planned. But in the meantime I've found out I've most likely got breast cancer.  Been for 3 mammograms, scan, biopsy today and they've told me they're certain it's cancer, I get official results on Friday.  I'm completely freaking out with the threat of cervical cancer already hanging over my head, I feel like giving up.

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