Welcome to the forum KBD although I'm sorry for the reason you are posting.

There are many posts on the forum from members with similar results so fingers crossed some of them will see your post and reply soon to share their advice and experiences with you.

We have some information on our website about abnormal results and hpv which I hope will help ease your mind but you can give our cancer nurses a call if anything is still troubling you. Their freephone number is 0808 800 4040 and are available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Steph 

Thank you so much for your response and attaching the information links, mind my mind slightly more at ease!

I have had the HPV vaccine so hopefully my HPV is not a high risk one as my letter did not say. Also reading that you cannot directly pass on cancerous HPV makes me feel better for my partner who has been so lovely and supportive with this and has no way made me feel bad or anything, it’s just me struggling to come to grips with it all.

I am waiting for my colposcopy and trying and get on with things as normal (I know I sound dramatic!) I have been reading about ways to boost my immune system as although I am not unhealthy and I don’t smoke, for years I’ve been saying I need to listen to my body and this is the wake up call I’ve needed. I tend to stress a lot from my job, sometimes skip meals, don’t get enough sleep. I’m not saying sorting this will rid the HPV but as there is no treatment, it’s a start? 

Thanks again! 

Hey, 

I'm also 25 and going through the same, although I've already had my colposcopy. From what I've learnt I'd your partner is a carrier he can indeed pass the HPV back to you once it's cleared up which I'm really worried about tbh! But he won't be affected by it whatsoever. It does take a long time to develop in to cancer but the fact you're not a smoker etc is really positive. 

Here's my experience..

Smear in April - Came home from holiday to a letter saying it was abnormal and to wait for a colposcopy appointment - Appointment date for 2nd July ( The waiting!! ) - At colposcopy I was told it was minor cell changes and I'd only been called in as I'd also tested positive for HPV I made her aware of my symptoms and she put it down to me having the implant ( I don't really believe that ) . The colposcopy itself was fine, she put the dye on and asked if I wanted to see on the screen so she showed me the areas where the cell changes were ( ALOT of it was lit up ) and said some of it would be difficult to treat. She took a biopsy and I've been waiting since! It's 6 weeks today since my appointment so I phoned the clinic this morning to ask if my results were back, she said they are and the letter is being written up today but wouldn't give me my results over the phone :( The waiting and worrying is the worst part so I know how you feel!

I hope you get good results x 

Hi Alexandrajunex

Thank you so much for your reply and sharing your experience with me, I am so sorry for what you are going through! I guess it shows we are not alone at these times.

Your response has prepared me for my coloscopy which I am still waiting for. I have people I know who have been called back for abnormal cells but I’ve chosen to not talk about it with them because 1) HPV (I’ve always been precautious but here I am!) 2) everyone is different! 

They keep saying it’ll be fine but when o didn’t have a response for 3 months even my doctors said ‘no news is good news’ (yeah right!)

Can I ask why they could not treat all of the cells or was that just a possibility? Also what symptoms do you have because I genuinely haven’t any.  

If you could keep me posted I would like to support you in anyway possible! 

Thank you again

Hey KBD

We are definitely not alone! It's so much more common than you would think!

Honestly don't worry about the colposcopy the staff are always lovely and make you feel completely comfortable! They'll explain your results with you before anything then you'll have to get undressed and on the bed with your legs up in styrups ( honestly the worst park, more embarrassing than anything but like I said they make you feel comfortable ) then she will insert a probe with camera on to have a look and apply the dye. Any white that shows up will be the areas that are infected, you'll get a choice whether you want to see for yourself or not. I chose to look but kind of wish I didn't after seeing the extent of the infection! But was interesting. Then depending on what she sees she may leave it if it's mild and have another appointment in 6months, she could take a biopsy which is worse than it sounds I swear! It's a second of discomfort then it's done, or if she thinks it needs treating and is simple to do she can offer you treatment there and then ( how I wish that was the case for me! ) 

If they take a biopsy the results will come back as CIN1, 2 or 3. CIN1 they usually leave to let your body fight on it's own, CIN2 and 3 however require treatment as if they're left it could turn in to cancer. 

Since talking to you I phoned the clinic back and my results aren't great but could be worse! I have CIN2 which needs treatment but because it's in an awkward place they're not sure HOW they're going to treat it yet so I have to wait for a consultation ( Yay more waiting! ) 

I haven't had any treatment as of yet, she said if I do need treatment the area that is infected is very large and in awkward to reach places. There's a chance they may need to take part if not all of my cervix but I'll face that when it comes to it! 

As far as symptoms go, I have irregular bleeding, longer periods, pain and sometimes bleeding with sex plus very heavy discharge between periods but like I said she thinks it's my contraception.. 

You contracting HPV is not your fault. MOST women get it at some point during their lives they just don't know! Even though it's passed sexually it's not in any way a dirty STI or anything so please don't be afraid or embarrassed to talk about it! I must admit I do feel "dirty" but I know it's because there's something there that shouldn't be. Don't be put off having sex. If you have it you have it, it can't and won't affect your partner in any way! 

It's really nice having someone to talk to as most places I've posted I haven't received a reply so feel like I'm in limbo on my own! 

Here if you need anything, and please keep me updated!x

Hi Alexandrajunex

Thank you so much for your outline of what happens, I feel more mentally prepared now! I received my colposcopy letter today actually and I was originally booked in for Sept 5 but managed to get an appointment for August 22nd so next Wednesday! I think I will want to see when the dye is in, might as well face the music there and then.

I really appreciate you sharing your story and experience with me, I am honestly really sorry to hear about your results but genuinely you see so strong and what I feel is such a head on approach to it. I hope you do not have to wait too long for your consultation as like you have said, you have waited enough! 

It is so nice to have someone who understands to talk to and reassure you/tell you how it’s is! I’m sure we will get our answers and work through whatever they are together. Hopefully this discussion will give others girls/women comfort if they are in the same scenario! 

Thinking of you and likewise I am here for support or even a chat! Will keep you updated with everything

Take care  xx

Hey

Just stopped by to wish you luck for tomorrow! I'm sure everything will be okay! Like I said it's really not that bad and will be over with before you know it!

I've since had my letter which originally stated I had CIN2 and I would have loop treatment on the 10th September BUT today I received another letter dated before the first saying I had CIN3. When I called and spoke to the  nurse she said that letter wasn't supposed to be sent to me, it was for my GP but it is infact CIN3 so alot worse than I first thought :( 

I'm really confused as to why I was given a different result to what it actually was but I guess I'll find out more on the 10th! 

Please let me know how you get on, good luck!xx

Hi

its been so reassuring to see the support thats available on these forums! I received an HPV+ and borderline changes letter and have my colposcopy in a day...

im so nervous to see what they find as I don't know how I'll cope if it's cancer :(  i've had symptoms from around June to end of last month like irregular bleeding, brown (sometimes black) discharge, occasionally bleeding after sex. But i havent had these symptoms in 3 weeks now. My GP said it was due to the pill too but said I should have a smear test in case and voila there's my result!

like you I'm very much doubtful that the irregular bleeding is due to the pill as I've been on the pill for years so I don't thin symptoms would start so suddenly

Hi KBD,

my story was pretty similar to yours so I can completely understand your anxieties . I had my first smear last month at the age of 29 after some abnormal bleeding. I then recieved a letter to say I had borderline changes with HPV and like yourself I immediately took to google and convinced myself of the worse. I had my colposcopy and recieved results 2 weeks later that luckily I had no pre cancerous changes and thankfully could return back to normal cervical screening every 3 years.

I too was shocked and confused as to why or how I had gotten HPV but it’s near on impossible to tell when you contracted this but be assured that it will hopefully work it’s way out of your system. 

With regards to sex, throughout the process I chose not to have sex with my partner as I couldn’t think of anything apart from the results, but I think do what feels best for you. Perhaps have a chat to someone from a sexual health clinic about ways of protecting yourself and your partner? 

If you have any other questions at all please ask! this forum really helped me when I felt scared! 

do take care,

claire