HPV and colposcopy

Hi there,

I had my first smear test last year (aged 25) and was shocked when my result came through of high risk HPV positive but with no cell changes. I’d had all 3 HPV vaccines at school so naively thought I’d be ok! I was invited back for a 2nd smear this year and have waited 12 weeks for the results- still not got them officially yet! However I got a call from the hospital booking team last week explaining my results means I have to get a colposcopy and they’ve given me a cancellation next week.

I am extremely anxious about my health and now convinced myself I have cancer! I’m assuming the fact I’ve been referred for a colposcopy means I have had abnormal changes? It is worrying me that I haven’t received my results through the post yet like you normally do, although the booking office explained they receive results quicker than the patient does so they can book in quickly. I’ve not got any symptoms thankfully of cervical cancer but I know many people are asymptomatic. Has anyone been in a similar boat? Looking for any advice or reassurance! I’m desperate to have children and have convinced myself I’ll need treatment that will result in infertility! 

Also, how is the colposcopy procedure? I’ve had a Mirena coil put in… is it similar to that?!

Any help much appreciated!

Parents
  • Hi, sorry to hear you are so anxious. 
    I was age 23 not old enough for a smear however I was 8 weeks pregnant with my daughter and after a check up for a water infection got referred within 24 hours to Colposcopy clinic for an “abnormal looking cervix” as the doctor had seen. They took the HPV swab and it came back k positive, I was convinced I had cancer. However after having a biopsy it came back as CIN 2 so I needed LLETZ treatment to remove the pre cancerous cells. This had to wait until 6 weeks after my daughter was born and as you can imagine I was anxious through out my pregnancy it would develop further however after she was born I had the LLETZ procedure and all the cells removed and later tested Negative for HPV. 

    it is very worrying however there are a lot of women that have the same and it is easily monitored or treated if needed, try not to worry so much. Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer hence the reason for smear test every 3 years x

Reply
  • Hi, sorry to hear you are so anxious. 
    I was age 23 not old enough for a smear however I was 8 weeks pregnant with my daughter and after a check up for a water infection got referred within 24 hours to Colposcopy clinic for an “abnormal looking cervix” as the doctor had seen. They took the HPV swab and it came back k positive, I was convinced I had cancer. However after having a biopsy it came back as CIN 2 so I needed LLETZ treatment to remove the pre cancerous cells. This had to wait until 6 weeks after my daughter was born and as you can imagine I was anxious through out my pregnancy it would develop further however after she was born I had the LLETZ procedure and all the cells removed and later tested Negative for HPV. 

    it is very worrying however there are a lot of women that have the same and it is easily monitored or treated if needed, try not to worry so much. Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer hence the reason for smear test every 3 years x

Children
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