Hi Sarah,

I'm not an expert but I think that HPV can stay dormant in the body for years, so it could have been transmitted early in your life and never given any signals it was there. HPV is serious because it can cause cancer of the uterus.

You say your smear test didn't show any abnormal cells, so that means all is good and healthy, you don't have cancer. But since HPV can lead to cancer, you have a high risk of developing it in future, but it doesn't mean that you will. Some people do others don't.

I don't know how quick the HPV could develop into cancer but if you do a test every year you should be OK, please check with a nurse or doctor. I don't know if it is possible to cure HPV completely. There is a vaccine for tens now, but that was not the case years ago.

If you are not happy with your doctor's advice you have the right to seek a second opinion. The Macmillan Trust can also help with medical advice, they have a free phone line. Or you could ring the number below to ask the nurses here more questions.

Hope this is helpful. All the best!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I am very grateful. I will speak to my gp or nurse as soon as I am able, I feel so awful that my smear test was rather overdue though I guess prior to this one only reason cells would have been looked at if they were normal then. I wouldn't feel so worried if I had been sexually active in recent years as I'd feel reassurance that most infections clear within it says 1-2 years, it just feels a little pointless waiting for another year to see as it states if my immune system will clear it when I know that it must be a persistent infection because it has to have been so long since exposure. I didn't realise there was any change in the way they processed smear results and got a really awful shock seeing the hpv positive result and then all the information saying it usually clears in 24 months but for some it can persist and this then results in cell changes, I can't seem to find any percentage or risk that says of those with a persistent infection x amount is likely to cause changes. Once again thank you so much for your kind words. S x

Hi - does anyone have more information on this? I have just had the same result - positive HPV but no cell changes. I have had the same partner for 14 years and not been sexually active for the last few years. 
 

They have said they will retest in 12 months and most people will clear up after 1-2 years. Like you guys above - I must have gotten this with my current partner or before. This means I will have had this for 14+ plus years so it's def not going away in 1-2 years!!!  I feel like I am left in limbo and worrying myself sick as there isn't much info on what the risk is if you have had it for much longer. 
 

I get that I don't have cancer or the pre-cancer cells at the moment but I have just been told I have the virus that almost 100% of cervical cancer is caused by ... so my mind is in overdrive. 
 

my doctor reiterated that most people's immune system gets rid of it in 2 years but I was trying to convey that I haven't contracted this recently so I must be in the minority that retain the virus long term ... which is what causes the issues! I just wish there was someone who could help put my mind at ease... but everything I am reading just points to me being one of the unlucky ones who can't shift the virus... having the virus long term is what causes the cell changes no?? 
 

Surely there are other people who are going through this?  Any help would be much appreciated :-(

I totally understand what you are saying, nowhere does it tell you whether not being able to shift the virus will definately cause problems or whether it could alwys lie dormant.  Look up AHCC, they are natural tablets that are supposed to help shift the HPV virus with quite good outcomes.  I have been taking them for about 6 months now so will have to see what happens at my next smear,  May not be helping but its worth a try and they don't do any harm

Thanks Karen. 
 

It really is a complete head bend. Seems like everyone else gets rid of this virus in 1-2 years but my body is choosing to hang on to it and I now have it hanging over my head for the rest of my life. 
 

12 months also seems like a very long time to wait for the next one - even if I already know it will be positive!   I'll check out that website - willing to try anything tbh! 
 

thanks again 

I totally agree, I was so upset when my second one came back the same and if I've had this virus for years iI can't see it going on its own now.  I know its probably a good thing that they will keep an eye on it but the thought of having that hanging over us is unbearable.  I half wish they hadn't just started testing for HPV, would be happy that the results had come back negative for abnormal cells if that makes sense.  Really dreading this next one being the same and having to go for a colopscopy, if that is what they will do, I'm not even sure if that is what happens after 3 HPV positive tests.  

I have been told that if the third positive HPV result comes back they do then do a colonoscopy to be extra sure there is nothing there on your cervix. 
I have also read that if you have strain 16 or 18 it can be more risk of it developing but I havent been told which strain I have!? Not sure how we would know this?

I also agree that part of me wished I had no idea about HPV but I guess the screening is a good thing. 

I just wish I knew how likely it is I will get cancer from having persistent HPV. Not that it will change anything! 
 

I also wondered if you can opt for a hysterectomy to take the cervix away... but I'm not sure how rational that is or if they would even do it. 
 

my frustration is that I am in a process they have in place for the cohort of people where in most cases it will go away in 1-2 years ... and I already know I am not in that cohort! So I just want to fast forward and get some more reassurance! 
 

this is actually a living nightmare. I am worried I won't ever be me again as I'll just feel like that forever and never not be thinking about it :-(
 

Hi worried41

The procedure which would be done is called a colposcopy, which is an examination of the cervix with a microscope. At that point they would be able to see if the HPV virus had caused any changes to the cells, which could then be either regularly monitored or treated. 

Many, many people live with persistent HPV, but it doesn’t mean they will ever get cancer. Once you have the virus, you will always have it although keeping your immune system as strong as possible with a healthy diet etc can make it dormant, where it would not show on an HPV test. There is no cure for HPV, but plenty treatment available if it causes cell changes. 

You cannot opt to have a hysterectomy on the basis of having HPV. Removing your cervix does not remove the HPV, so it would be an unnecessary surgery. Even after having a hysterectomy abnormal cells could return on the vaginal cuff or vulva for example.

Having HPV doesn’t mean that your cells will ever become abnormal, but if they did, this would be picked up and treated in the cervical screening process. It’s really nothing that should cause any worry if you are attending regular smear tests. 

Hi Minska 

thank you for replying. I just feel so irrational atm. I have high cancer anxiety after losing my mum five years ago to cancer and there hasn't been a day since then when I don't think about dying from it too ... so the HPV news is heightened massively. Just feeling like my world has imploded. I have two small children and don't ever want them to go through what I went through with my mum. 
 

I appreciate your words and for clarifying some information for me. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of intel for people who have obviously had this virus for so long. It just seems to focus on the cohort that will have immune systems that will clear this in 1-2 years. I'm guessing that's because they don't have the data yet as have only been testing for under 3 years. 
 

You are right though - we will be closely monitored now which can only be a good thing. 
 

thank you again xxx

Thats good to know, thank you for posting

I was 43 and had normal smears but HPV for 2 years (I had 2 yearly smears) which the doctors said would clear itself. Also same partner for 10 years.

A few months after my normal smear I had vaginally bleeding and was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year. I didn't know at the time but 20% of women have a normal smear and cervical cancer.
Please if you can make an appointment to investigate this further by having a biopsy. You may have to go private but it will be worth it for your piece of mind.

I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy for a reoccurrence I wish I did something about my HPV sooner.

Hi, 

I'm so lost. I'm 25 years old and I've had the same sexual partner since I was 16. I didn't have sexual relations with anyone before then and neither did he. I've just been for my first smear and been told I've tested positive for HPV. 
I don't understand how this could have happened. I trust my partner completely and know it isn't due to them cheating. 
I just don't know what to think...

Hi, 

I'm so lost. I'm 25 years old and I've had the same sexual partner since I was 16. I didn't have sexual relations with anyone before then and neither did he. I've just been for my first smear and been told I've tested positive for HPV. 
I don't understand how this could have happened. I trust my partner completely and know it isn't due to them cheating. 
I just don't know what to think...

Hi Sunflower

HPV is passed through genital contact, but that doesn’t mean you had to have had penetrative sex..so it is possible to contract the virus through other kinds of sexual contact either of you may have had with anyone prior to your own relationship starting... but if neither of you has ever had any type of sexual contact with anyone...no touching another person ever in any way, then I’m sorry, I’m not sure how you could have contracted the virus. Hopefully your smear result has not identified any abnormal cells. 

Hiya All

Can anyone Help as I'm riddled with Worry

My Partner now Husband and I got together 13 Years ago, One Year into Our Relationship I had a Smear Test which was all Clear, 12 years later I have Recently had a Smear Test and I am HPV Positive, We have only been Sexually Active with each other, how could this be possible?

Hi Reidy

Have neither of you at any point in your lives had any kind of sexual contact with any other person? I don’t just mean penetrative sex, I’m talking about any contact at all. I’m only aware of HPV being passed by genital contact (which doesn’t just mean actual sex)  so I’m afraid I can’t answer your question if you say categorically that neither of you had any kind of contact with anyone. 

I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about HPV as it’s such a common virus to have, and so long as it does not cause any abnormal cells, it should not impact on your life in any way. And being part of the screening programme ensures that you are monitored for any changes. 

Hiya There

Thankyou for Your Reply

Yes Both of Us have had Previous Sexual Partners in the past but that was over 13 Years Ago before we got together, The Worrying thing is I had a Smear test 1 Year into Our Relationship and it came back Clear so have I now got this Result when we only been with each other since ???

It’s because once you have the virus you will always have it but it can go through dormant and active phases. When it’s dormant you will test negative for HPV and when it’s active you will test positive. 

So, you could have had the virus for years and it has only shown up now because it has previously been dormant. There is no way to tell when or from who you contracted the virus, so it could have been from your current partner or a previous one. This virus literally can lie dormant for decades in your system-it’s the most commonly transmitted STI in the world. 

Hi i am looking for some advice. In 2011 i had abnormal smear which meant i had a colposcomy. During the the exam the dr said i had a wart on my cervix and back to 3 yearly smears. No mention of hpv and no other issues untill february. My smear was a year overdue due to covid backlog and the results came back hpv positive with no abnormal cells.. read some forums including this one and relaxed a little. Fast forward to end of june and i have found flat growths in my pubic area where i would usually shave. Mostly next to hair follicles. I visited the gp and she didnt think it was genital warts. But i have made myself ill reading online so went to the sexual health clinic. They agreed one or 2 of the growths resembled GW and treated them with cryotherapy. I am due back this week for follow up but have noticed 2 more growths i think may have been missed. I am anxious all day every day and dont think i will settled untill i have a full examination down there. But i cant get any one to take my concerns seriously. My gp wants to give me diazepam for my anxiety. Why wont she just do a pelvic exam? And how can i get this done other than my GP or a refferal from her

Hi

There are many different strains of HPV, some high risk and some low risk. High risk strains can cause abnormal cervical cells, but these are different strains to those which are responsible for genital warts.

It is perfectly possible to carry more than one strain of HPV. Having genital warts doesn’t mean you will ever have abnormal cervical cells, and it’s good that you have had a recent clear smear test. 

I’m surprised you didn’t get the wart on your cervix treated when it was found-do you know why it wasn’t removed then? I would mention the other growths you have found when you go for your cryotherapy follow up. Can the sexual health clinic help with getting you a further examination to put your mind at rest?