HPV - Updated - Thank You!

Hi Ladies -

I am a regular poster (albeit a new member), but I created a new profile for this in case anyone recognizes me from my profile pic. (like family or my employees)

I got a call from the gynecologist saying that I had an abnormal pap smear and that there is a legion on my cervix and I've tested positive for HPV. I've got a colpopscopy scheduled for Wednesday. I am freaking out!

I'm 30 and I am really embarrassed but this is my 2nd pap smear of my whole life. (I've been so lax with doctors it's shameful). I know that they say HPV can be sexually transmitted but I've been with DH for almost 8 years and before him there was only 1 other person I was with.

Does anyone have experience with this? Is it no big deal or should I be worried?

Thanks in advance!

Update - 7/19

I just wanted to say thank you again to everyone for the advice. I went yesterday for the coloscopy and the doctor did see something she needed to do a biopsy on.

She said that the good news is that whatever it is looks like its at the end rather than the beginning because of the way the cells were growing. The biopsy hurt a lot and it gave me cramps for the whole rest of the day and night but I feel a lot better now. We'll know what it is on Monday but my doctor did a great job of calming me down.

Thank you ladies!!

Message edited 7/19/2007 2:21:29 PM.

Re: HPV

You have no reason to be ashamed at all. Talk to your Dr. so he/she can further explain how you could've contracted it being that you've only been with your DH in the last 8 years. Take action ASAP though to get rid of it because the longer it goes untreated, the more evassive the procedure to get rid of it...

I've never had it, but I know a handful of women (ranging from 23-35) who've had it.

Good luck!

Re: HPV

Thanks!

I am so angry at myself for not regularly going to a doctor. It just wasn't something ever discussed in my house, and then since I wasn't ever that sexually active I never went on the pill or anything like that. I feel so dumb for not being on top of things.

The ladies that you knew that had it, is there medicine that you take? I've got an appointment on Wednesday to get it looked at and to talk with my doc but it feels like a year away!

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Look at it this way. You can't go back you can only move forward. You have a plan in place. My friend had to have the same procedure you will probably have to have. A colposcopy (spelling?) it's a way for them to look at it further. She was freaking out because they gave her an appointment 1 month later!!! It turns out the cells were mildly abnormal and she just needs a follow up pap in a few months.

I have seen postings before on this subject you may want to search it.

Good luck and keep your head up, the only way to reduce anxiety is to have a plan in place and you do, you will be taking care of this asap!!

Re: HPV

you have FM

Re: HPV

Drs were not a priority in my house growing up either, so I can totally relate. Now at 34 my whole life revolves around trying to keep myself healthy since a scare 3 years ago.

Your Dr is the best source of information, of course, and please feel free to talk to them. If you do not feel comfortable with your Dr please find a new one that you can converse with openly.

My sister also has had irregular paps, and when she gets follow up procedures done they come back fine. Is this always the case? no, but it is not uncommon to have an irregular pap.

As far as the HPV goes, I have no clue about it, and although I suppose I should be better educated I fear I am not. Again, talk to your Dr, but also google it. Check legit sites like WebMD, the Mayo clinic, Johns Hopkins medical etc....

Good Luck

Re: HPV

There are a lot of women on this board who have HPV, including me. If you do a search for the term you'll find a lot of helpful information. I've also been with my DH for 8 years and was just diagnosed with it last summer. I went through the whole process - colposcopy followed by a leep. You could have had it for years and not known it. Also, unless it manifests itself as genital warts (which is just one of many of the possible strands) there is no way for HPV to be detected in men. I was AMAZED by the number of people I know who have this - it's so much more common than you think. It's scary, but having gone through it myself, it is not as bad as your mind will allow you to believe. And it's also A LOT more common than you think. My doctor said 80% of sexually active people come into contact with HPV.

Re: HPV

I am one of those who have it. I've had it for at least 10 years now. I've never had any symptoms other than an abnormal pap. I've had 2 colposcopies. They are not a big deal.
I get a pap every six months to make sure everything is ok.

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Be thankful they caught it when they did. You will be fine, I promise!!

Re: HPV

Thanks everyone!!

I like my doctor and I do feel comfortable with her. I have just been so freaked out by it. I've been reading everything I can on the Internet about it. I am just so confused about where it could have come from and how serious it actually is. Some things I read say that 4 out of 6 women have it, and it's not a big deal, other things I've read say it can lead to cervical cancer. I guess after the colpopscopy we will know what we are dealing with.

I've just been doing positive thinking and I am hoping that this is all over on Wednesday.

Re: HPV

Don't be so hard on yourself, even though it's hard.

You could have gotten it from either person, because men don't have any symptoms, they could have gotten it from someone else and given it to you. You'll never know, so just agree that it isn't a big deal and you aren't to blame.

It can stay dormant for years. You need to find out which type of HPV you have, your doctor can tell you. Low risk is the type that gives warts and high risk is the type that can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.
Now that you know, make sure you see your doctor regularly.

Good luck at the doctor.

Re: HPV

i have it...almost everyone does...no worries

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Don't worry!

I was in the SAME position as you several years ago. I knew NOBODY that had gone through it and was totally freaked out. It seems that it's becoming alot more talked about now, which is great. I felt so alone and scared.

My case was pretty advanced, according to the doctor, and I had been going for regular paps! I had to have the leep procedure and now get Paps every 6 months. Finally, my last 3 have been clean so I am in the clear for now.

Everything will be fine!!!

Re: HPV

I have HPV as well. I had a colposcopy about 3 weeks ago. It wasnt a big deal, she wound up doing a very small biopsy, so small I didnt even feel it. I am having a LEEP done in the beginning of august and hope that will take care of the dysplastic cells they found in my cervix.

Good Luck to you, FM me if you have any questions and I will try to help

Re: HPV

I have it too. I had a colposcopy, a biopsy and freezing of my cervix to rid the abnormal cells over 10 years ago.

During my pregnancy I got an abnormal pap and they did another colposcopy... it showed nothing. After a follow up pap about a month later... it was normal. I was fine.

So don't you worry. Everything is going to be ok.

Message edited 7/16/2007 10:15:40 PM.

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I just bumped this thread from a while ago. . It has alot of good information in it.

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I have it. I was treated for it through colposcopy, cone biopsy and laser treatment in 2001.

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I just wanted to thank everyone who has replied here and FM'd me. I was feeling so alone until I learned about all of you ladies that have it or knowledge of it.

Tomorrow I go for the colpopscopy and I will know better what is going on.

Thank you so much for all of your support!!

Re: HPV

Re: HPV

HPV is has reached epidemic proportions, so many women have it.

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

My MIL had HPV as well, and she was only with her first husband, and second. So you can get this virus even if you've only been with one person.

There's so much awareness about this virus, that your MDs will stay on top of it.

Re: HPV

I wouldn't say it's not a big deal, but I would say try to stay calm about it. My FSIL was diagnosed with HPV cervical cancer last summer. It was caught in the early stages, so she and her doctor decided to let her body fight it and see what happened as it is pretty common for your body to be able to overcome it. Well, one year later and she is cancer free!

Best of luck.

Message edited 7/17/2007 11:06:36 AM.

Re: HPV

If this is so common, this is pretty scary. I've never known of a STD being so rampant. Its description says that it is transferred from skin to skin, not through bodily fluids. I wonder if you can get it w/o intercourse.

Re: HPV

This happened to me - I had colposcopies, cryo, etc - I remember being so scared too - but really, its so routine and not a big deal - you will be fine - you just have to go for regular paps with your gyno - you will be fine - trust me... please FM me with any questions - I actually tested negative after a year!!!

Re: HPV

Posted by a-bit-frightened

Thanks everyone!!

I like my doctor and I do feel comfortable with her. I have just been so freaked out by it. I've been reading everything I can on the Internet about it. I am just so confused about where it could have come from and how serious it actually is. Some things I read say that 4 out of 6 women have it, and it's not a big deal, other things I've read say it can lead to cervical cancer. I guess after the colpopscopy we will know what we are dealing with.

I've just been doing positive thinking and I am hoping that this is all over on Wednesday.

Re: HPV