Hi!

Thank you so much for replying to this, your advice definitely helps!

So at the colposcopy, the gynaecologist told me I have HPV cells on my cervix and took swabs but then told me she wasn't going to send the swabs away or take a biopsy and I should wait for a future smear test given my age, I do feel like she sort of brushed it off and sent me on my way.

Ever since then, I am bleeding so much every time I have sex and it is really affecting me as I'm reluctant to have sex now and although my partner is so understanding, I don't want it to affect my relationship but he worries every time he sees the blood as well and I'm at the point I'm too scared to have sex now as I hate the dread I feel at the sight of the blood.
I received a letter stating I would be referred for a smear test within 9 months but am I just supposed to put up with the constant bleeding and pain until then?  I'm feeling really down about it and it's affecting me every day :(

Really appreciate anyones help or advice with this xx

I would go back to the GP. What is the point in taking swabs if they aren't going to send them away? It is distressing to have constant bleeding. Try and see if your GP would bring the test forward. Also, have you had any other tests to look for alternate causes of the bleeding?

Thank you!  I thought this was the best option but didn't want to feel like a hassle :(.

I had a colonoscopy as I had a positive FIT test but that was all okay, it's just the constant bleeding and back pain/cramps that are causing all the issues.  The GP first said it could be ectropion but the gynaecologist didn't mention this, I also have the coil and she said she would refer me to see if this is in place but I can feel the strings etc are all in the right place and I have had an instance previously where it moved and it was nothing like what I'm experiencing now.  I wasn't even given any advice or anything on how to stop the bleeding so just sort of feel like I've been left to deal with it now, hopefully my GP will be able to help or suggest something!

Thank you so much for your help xx

Hi Lauren

I would go back to your gp. A smear test is not a diagnostic test, it's a screening test for hpv and abnormal cells and you already know that you have this. What you need is an investigation of the bleeding, which is not caused by hpv, but may be caused by something like a cervical ectropion which can bleed on contact. But this can be treated if you have it. You don't need a smear test, you need an explanation for the bleeding. xx

Hi Minska,

Thank you for your reply!

I did think that the smear test would just tell me what I already know.  The gynaecologist didn't mention anything about ectropion even though the GP did say it could've been this.  I guess I'm worried that I'll phone my GP and will be told that I've already been seen and that I just need to wait.  I just really can't cope with this constant bleeding and it's starting to really affect me now :( is it likely I'll be referred back to a gynaecologist again for another check?  I just still can't understand why she took the swabs and then didn't send them away, if anything just for peace of mind.

Xxx

I can't understand the point of taking swabs and not having them analysed. Why bother taking them? 
 

I think I would want to be referred to a gynaecologist for another check, not a smear. Did you tell them at the colposcopy about your symptoms? Did they mention any other potential tests? I'm presuming not, but it's not right that you should have to live with unexplained bleeding. The smear isn't the be all and end all of investigations. The bleeding could be caused by some reason other than a cervical issue and you deserve for that to be investigated further. I'd tell the gp how much this is affecting your life and that you would appreciate seeing a gynaecologist for further tests. I appreciate that you are young, but that's not a reason to be fobbed off. xx

There was a trainee nurse and a gynaecologist in my colonoscopy, The trainee nurse put the solution on my cervix and carried out most of the colposcopy, she then took swabs and the gynaecologist was overseeing the procedure.  The trainee nurse asked the gynaecologist to take over as she wasn't sure of what she could see.  When the gynaecologist took over she told me that I was presenting as a sexually active 22-year-old with HPV cells on my cervix and I should just wait until I get a routine smear test.  Her words were 'the swabs are there but I'm not going to send them away as I don't think there's any need, if the nurse wants to take a biopsy she can but I don't see the need' so the nurse then said she wouldn't do the biopsy either.  It just felt like such a fast experience and I left wishing I had said something at the time but I think I was just a bit overwhelmed but the sight of blood is just a constant reminder that somethings not normal :(

The only other thing the gynaecologist said is that she would arrange for me to be referred to check the position of my coil.  I just don't see the point in waiting 9 months for a smear test that will tell me absolutely nothing as it's only a screening test! Xxx 

And yeah I had told her about all my symptoms explaining that the main symptom concerning me was the bleeding but she said absolutely nothing about it :( xx

Well, I personally don't think that's good enough and I'm sorry it seems like no-one is listening. There must be a reason for the bleeding, and they should be trying to get to the bottom of that. You can't be expected to wait such a long time for a screening test which in any case is not going to give you th3 answers you need. xx