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HPV positive - very worried!!

Suunem
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Hi all,

I was diagnosed with HPV at 17 years of age (I'm not sure exactly what strain but one that can cause cervical cancer) I'm now 19 years old and have been having check-ups yearly. At my first appointment I had a biopsy done which came up as positive with some pre-cancerous cells present. At my second check up there was no improvement. I'm soon due for my next check up in October but I've recently been experiencing some symptoms which are really worrying me.

 

I'm currently on the implant (implanon) and have been for over 2 years now. While on it my periods have stopped completely but last week I started my period after having sex with my boyfriend. During intercorse I suddenly got this severe pain which put me in tears! I thought nothing of it. My period lasted a couple of days and was fairly light. After a few days I had intercorse with my boyfriend again but from the beginning I felt uncomfortable but thought the pain would subside but instead it got worse. Afterwards I started bleeding heavily and 3 days later the bleeding is getting heavier. I have severe stomach cramps, have completely lost my appetite and have been experiencing moments when the pain is so severe I almost throw up. 

Im really worried that this might be signs of the HPV progressing and I'm just looking for some information on what to do? Anyone else experienced something similar? And also is anyone else dealing with this at such a young age?

Thank you for reading!!

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    Hi there Suunem,

    I just wanted to respond as you're obviously incredibly worried and let you know that you're among friends here.

    This isn't my area sorry, I'm a breast cancer person.  I'm not looking to worry you as there are so many non-cancerous and non-life-threatening conditions that can bring about the symptoms you have (with me it was endometriosis) but even without your history with the HPV and pre-cancerous cells this is definitely something to go to your GP with.  Being honest, even just with your age your body is still settling into its female ways and sadly for some of us it never does quite settle.

    Did they remove the pre-cancerous cells previously?

    I know it's hard not to worry, but if you get on to your GP at least you've set things in motion and everything is on your side then so I really would get an appointment made so that you are in the hands of the professionals being looked after.

    Best wishes,

    LJx

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    Hi Twintwo

    Thank you so much for your reply, I'm sorry to hear you're in the situation you are and I wish you all the best ️ They didn't remove my pre-cancerous cells as they said my cervix is still in development so they're seeing if it will go away on its own - but with my current symptoms it's just worried me that my situation is getting worse. I'll book an appointment with my GP asap and I'll keep you posted. 

    Hopefully it's something else that's causing my symptoms but it's hard not to think the worse! Thank you so much for your response xxx

  • Offline in reply to Suunem

    Totally understand why you're worrying, completely natural and it's good in a sense as it's making you get it chekcked out :-)

    LJx

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    I been diagnosed with HPV I'm very worried 

  • Offline in reply to Porthcawl

    They want to do a colposcopy 

  • Offline in reply to Porthcawl

    Hi Porthcawl.

    Around 4 out of 5 people will have the hpv virus...it’s extremely common. The body’s own immune system can clear the virus, usually within 2 years, but in some cases it can’t and the virus will cause cell abnormalities. 

    The colposcopy will allow a doctor to have a detailed look at your cervix to see if there are any areas of abnormal cells, and if so a procedure can be performed to remove them and monitor you to ensure they don’t return. 

    Having the hpv virus does not automatically mean you will have any abnormal cells, and does not mean you will develop cancer. Think of the colposcopy as a more detailed examination of the cervix than a smear. That’s all it is. If anything abnormal is detected, please be reassured it can be dealt with. Good luck! xx

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    Hi I have only just seen this post as I have recently been told I have hpv and reading your post is so reasuring and helps you feel a little more normal.. thankyou 

    xx 

  • Offline in reply to kirst6

    Hi Kirst

    Almost every single sexually active person will carry the HPV virus, but for most it will never cause any issues, and most people will never even know they have it because it doesn’t cause them any issues. There is no test for men, and tests for women will only show HPV when the virus is active. You will always carry the virus, but it can be dormant if your immune system is strong enough to keep it that way. 

    It doesn’t always cause abnormal cell changes, and the cervical screening programme means that any changes can be picked up early and dealt with. Having the virus doesn’t mean your partner has cheated, and honestly isn’t anything to be ashamed of-it’s the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. 

    The best thing to do is keep on top of screening, and know that this will be the best way of identifying any early abnormalities. But also to remember that having HPV does not automatically mean there will ever be cell changes, far less a future cancer diagnosis! xx

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