Hi

Don't panic. I think you mean colposcopy. It doesn't hurt at all. They just use the instrument to open your vagina and shine a bright light so that they can look at your cervix using magnification. They may take some biopsies which are no worse than the smear test. I had one last year. Many years ago, I had abnormal cells. In that instance, they used a dye to see the cells. I didn't have the treatment on the day, as I fainted (don't let this panic you, I faint very easily at almost nothing!). I had the treatment under GA. All they did was the LLETZ procedure, which lasers off the abnormal cells. I had no reoccurence, but was monitored with yearly smears for 10 years, I think. 

Technically HPV is an STI. However, most strains don't cause any symptoms at all and so are never detected. Almost everyone who is sexually active has been exposed to HPV. There are just a few strains which are high risk and can lead to cell changes later in life. Also, it doesn't mean that your husband has recently infected you. The time between infection and symptoms can take a long while. Also, 13 out of every 100 smear tests are positive for HPV. So, the prevalence at any given time is pretty high. 

You will probably be able to find details on the Colposcopy on the NHS website, and they should also send it to you. I happen to have been sent my invite for the smear test this week, so have the new leaflet. It explains that they now test for HPV first, then look for abnormal cells. I don't believe they did this 3 years ago.

Hi hun thank you for your reply it has calmed my nerves abit! My last smear was normal and this smear has come up with HPV and high grade cells my husband confessed to cheating won't tell me when but says it's a while ago (so within the last 3 years) as last smear was fine,I read that the HPV clears it self within 2 years so I'm thinking my husband infected me within the last year or so aleast,if I need treatment for the cells which I'm guessing I will instead of being awake when they "burn" them off can I be put to sleep! I litterally can't do it awake no way at all! X 

Hi hun thank you so much for your support and reply unfortunately I cannot tell anyone and my husband won't talk to me about it he opened my letter and didn't reliase what it was about now he knows he said he would of hidden the letter from me! So can't get no help or support from him! Even thou he's the cause! Unfortunately anyone I know are my husband's friends and he doesn't want them to know! I joined this group in the hope to find some help advice and support I've never had anything like this before so I'm completely in the dark and really really scared xxx