Hi there it's been really reassuring reading these comments about hpv. I just want to know if ur other half has been treated too? Or isit just us women? I don't fully understand how it all works im confused to how we get this if it is an sti? :( 

Hi everyone. I am in exactly the same boat as you. I am 44 years old and had my last smear test 3 years ago and all clear. I had a child at 40 and all was well when I had the old version of the smear test 5 months later after giving birth. I was told by my nurse who did this new smear of testing for HPV first to see if it is positive not to worry at all if I am HPV positive as it is very, very common she said. I was horrified when I found out I was HPV positive with broderline changes as all I can find on google is that it is a STD that is responsible for genital warts so I felt sick to the stomach and this HPV has not been explained properly at all. I am worried about getting in the bath and what if there are traces of my skin when my kids get in after me even though I wash the bath out thoroughly? What happens when I sit on the toilet at work? Could this HPV pass on to others? It is so upsetting and worrying. I think I am more concerned about the HPV virus and feel dirty. I have been with my partner 7 years and none of us cheat but I have read the virus can lay dormant for 30 years. They say that nuns will never get HPV or cervical cancer and therefore it is likely that every single person who has been sexually active in the past will test positive for HPV as so far all my friends have and everyone on here has since having this new smear. I have my Colposcopy next Thurs so am nervous as hell and also have had periodic bleeding as well between periods. I am going to ask for a hysterectomy as I have 4 children and a prolapse of the womb plus ovarian cancer runs in the family so I hope they offer it. Also they gave my 13 year old HPV vaccine at school as give it to 12 year old girls now so can't we all ask out GP if we can have it as well???? Good luck everyone and this forum has helped me to calm down so much as I am so worried. 

Hi Tereska, 

I just read your post and wanted to try and give you some reassurance during what I know, is a really scary and upsetting time. I was diagnosed with the same results as you in November 2018 and like you, I was very worried about transferring hpv to my loved ones and colleagues. It is safe to say, there is very little helpful or consistent information online regarding HPV but as far as I am aware, this virus can not be passed on via sharing baths, swimming and/or sharing toilets. 

I know there is lots of information online reporting that HPV is a STD...yes, HPV can be passed on through sexual intercourse but it is not the same as most sexually transmitted infections. In fact, HPV is more like a cold virus that likes to sit in the cells of your cervix, it can come and go and most women will have had a strand of HPV before their 50s! There are lots of different strands of HPV, some more capable of changing cells than others. When you went for your cervical screening, you were checked for “high risk” HPV. These are several strands that can cause cell changes later on, if not monitored. There is lots of very helpful information that I found really reassuring, here: www.jostrust.org.uk/.../hpv

I know it’s really hard not to worry but the way I like to look at it, is that the point of cervical screenings are to detect early indicators of issues that could arise later on...if any abnormal cells are of a concern, you will be offered to have them treated. This treatment will then help to minimise your risk of developing any sinister cell changes at a later date. 

Everybody is different but my colposcopy experience was fine in 2018, the colposcopy team were happy that abnormal cells were not a concern and I was sent home without treatment and called back last November 2019 for a yearly cervical screening. I had low grade abnormalities and HPV detected again that resulted in another colposcopy. To be cautious, the doctor at the appointment took 3 biopsies. I just had results this morning, all clear with only HPV found in cells. It seems HPV is a very pesky virus that takes a while for your body to kick into dormancy. I have read it can take up to 2 years for your body to clear HPV but on a plus, I have now been discharged and put back on the 3 year pathway. Unlike you, I was not given the HPV vaccine as a child. I think if you already have HPV, the vaccine cannot cure it but it’s always worth considering with an open mind as the vaccine may cover you from reinfection and for strains you may not have come into contact with (there are so many strains!) I completely understand your worries and I hope that I have been able to help, even just a little bit. 

Be kind to yourself, you are not dirty or alone! You are now part of a club that most women will be part of at some stage in life and the more you talk to others, the more you will realise just how common HPV is! 

Take care and keep us posted. 

Best wishes x 

Hi GrahamS, 

I have just replied to Tereska and mentioned I have had 2 colposcopies and biopsies since November 2018. My last colposcopy was 27.11.19 and I was given 3 punch biopsies without anaesthetic. It was uncomfortable but I healed well and am fine now. Make sure you follow aftercare advice if treatment is needed. I say ‘if’ treatment is needed because at my colposcopy in 2018, no treatment was needed. They just looked and said no abnormal cells could be seen that needed treatment at that time. Before the colposcopy you get the chance to talk to the dr. You or your partner can tell the doctor about any allergies and you can talk about any concerns or questions you have, before the procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and really get the doctor or nurse to be clear with answers so you understand what is happening. There is lots of info about the colposcopy procedure that I found helpful, here: www.jostrust.org.uk/.../at-colposcopy

I know it’s worrying but stay strong. Sending lots of positivity to all in this forum.

Best wishes x

Hi Aimeelou. I cannot thank you enough for you reply and so much effort and thought went into it. Thank you so so much for reassuring me and explaining everything about the HPV as honestly when I googled it all it mentioned was STD and the virus that indicates you have genital warts and I do not have them and have never had them and the nurse checked me at the smear and even said my cervix looked healthy and she could not find anything sinister. I just felt sick but I am not googling it anymore and your reply and link has really, really helped me and out my mind at ease. I am not the one who has had the HPV vaccine. It is my daughter who had it at school when she was 12 not me and they are now giving all 12 year old girls the HPV vaccine at school to protect them against Cervical Cancer. What I was thinking is if they give young girls of 12 now a HPV vaccine then can they not give all us ladies who have tested positive for HPV the vacinne as well? I am going to ask them these questions when I have my Colposcopy next Thursday at 3.15pm. I will keep you posted and thanks so much. You are a star and made me feel so much better. :-) :-) :-)

Hi Tereska, you are more than welcome. It is so important that we all hold each other up as best we can, by sharing experiences and thoughts. I am happy my reply has helped, I know exactly how you feel because I felt the same way in 2018. My leaflet from the local hospital even discussed HPV being a genital wart virus which made me furious because it was unnecessary. It took a lot of research and sleepless nights for me to discover that there are lots of strains of HPV, some do cause warts but the strains we are checked for during cervical screenings tend not to. I think you should definitely stop googling it because there’s so much conflicting information out there and it’s scary to read through it all. 

Great question about the vaccine and good idea to ask at colposcopy appointment. I think the vaccine is given to girls and boys of 12/13 yo now, which is great. I think they do this because at 12/13 they generally will not be sexually active which means they probably won’t have been infected already. There’s loads of info here: 

www.jostrust.org.uk/.../faqs

Good luck at your appointment. Deep breaths and keep us posted. Your outcome can only be a positive one...if the colposcopy does not show any abnormal cells, you will be sent home without treatment and if abnormal cells are found, you will be offered a quick treatment to remove them and or biopsy them which is also a good outcome. I had cells removed in 2013 and it was very quick and I was able to go back to work the same day. I had 3 punch biopsies last November and that was a little more uncomfortable and I took the rest of the day off work but it’s been a smooth recovery since. 

Besst wishes and positive thoughts

x

Hello Everyone, 

I'm 24, I've just revived my smear test results and they cane back saying high risk hpv and borderline changes? 
if I lost my virginity when I was 16 does that mean I could've contracted hpv then? And does that mean I could have cancer now? I don't really understand it? When it says borderline how at risk are you if it alre  ast  being cervical cancer or just abnormal cells that need treatment? 
many thanks 

Rich

Hi Rich, 

It is all very confusing but there is lots of helpful information online here: 

www.jostrust.org.uk/.../results

Low grade cell changes do not mean you have cancer or that you are going to get cancer. Your colposcopy appointment should come through soon and you will be able to talk with the dr and nurse in the room about any concerns and ask them any questions you might have. Do read my previous posts, A lot of us here have had the same results as you and some of us more than once.  We all completely understand any worries or concerns you might have about your results. I found these forums and Jo’s Cancer Trust website of real help. have posted a few other links to this, in previous posts, that include info about HPV. With regards to HPV, it is impossible to pin-point exactly when you will have become infected. Men tend to fight the virus off apparently, whereas us ladies tend to provide the perfect cosy home for the virus to sit dormant or inactive in our cells (in some cases, for years). Where possible try not to google it because there is far too much conflicting and scary information out there that will cause unnecessary anxiety. 

I hope this post is of some help. 

Best wishes x

Hi Aimeelou

thanks for your reply that's really helpful :) if I had contracted it when I was 16 could it have formed into a cancer already now or CIN 3? And would that of showed up as more than a borderline result if so on my smear? Ok thank you I will have a look :) 

many thanks 

Rich