Smear test results - borderline changes and HPV infection

Hello

I am 25 and had my first smear test in May. It took over 3 months for my results to come back and the results were borderline abnormal cells and a HPV infection.

I have (wrongly) over Googled this and cannot seem to remain calm or worry about this. I think it’s  the fact of having HPV and not knowing how long, long enough to be cancerous? I know people say it takes years to develop into cancer but I first had sex at 16 but because you never know what if it has been since then.

I feel completely helpless and I know I should just wait for the colposcopy but at this point in time I do not know what to do. My partner has been extremely supportive but I still have so many questions. Can I still have sex with him? What if he has it or had it and passed it to be and never knew, would having unprotected sex pass it back and forth and make it worse? 

Any supportive and and helpful replies would be really appreciated, just to ease my mind because it is breaking me.

Thank you 

  • Thank you so much for your reply. Like you say it's so hard not to worry and the waiting doesn't help. I think I will call tomorrow as waiting a month to be seen is going to be so hard. 
     

    Im pleased your gynecologist was lovely and that's amazing news that they are only minor changes and she's happy to leave you. That's so positive.

    Oh wow, you've had a while of the adnormal paps then bless you. It must be so frustrating for you and I totally understand and would feel exactly the same. It must be even harder being pregnant as you will just want to enjoy your pregnancy and have that lingering over you. I know I would want to do exactly the same in your position and would want it treated after baby.
     

    Thank you so much for your kind and reassuring words and for taking the time to message in such detail. It's nice to be able relate to someone, as I've not known of anyone else that has been through this personally.

    I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and all the best for when your little one arrives Very exciting.

    Thank you again and sending lots of love xxx

  • Hi  everyone,

     

    My daughter just had her 1st smear at 25 it has come back hpv+ and borderline changes. She is awaiting colposcopy. They have referred her in 14days. Is that quick. My mind is all over the place as some on here have waited a while before getting appointment. Also 2yr ago she started having problems smelly discharge and bleeding with pain after sex. They refused a smear after I begged them to do one. She does not have the smell now so surely be if it was sinister they would of noticed on the smear and got her straight in and the smell would always be there and not go away. 

     

    And yes I'm googling like crazy. Thing is I'm reading the bad stories of poor young girls. Trying to pick out any info.

     

    I say start smears earlier from a sexually active age.  I've just gotten over my hubby and cancer. That led me to a breakdown. Now my baby. I don't know how much more I can take

  • Hi Tracey

    Borderline changes do not mean cervical cancer. It means the HPV virus has caused some cell changes which are pre cancerous, and borderline changes mean these changes are at the lowest level of change. Having the colposcopy will allow the cervix to be examined in greater detail to identify the areas of abnormal cells which can be removed if necessary in a straightforward procedure. 

    I would recommend that you don’t google to read cancer horror stories or scary information which may not be at all applicable-you will only cause yourself more anxiety and unnecessary worry. Discharge can be caused by many things other than cancer, so don’t jump to conclusions at this stage. 

    Just to note, a smear is not a diagnostic test for cervical cancer. It is a screening for abnormal cervical cells, so would not have been the answer to the symptoms your daughter was experiencing.