HPV Positive

[Amyx1518]

Sorry to boost this old thread, but I've tested positive for high risk HPV again (3rd year iv had it now) and they've referred me to the hospital. I've been waiting since September for a referral which can take apparently 20 weeks and in the mean time I just sit here hoping on a prayer that all is fine. Has anyone else had HPV consistently? What was the next steps for you?

Not sure where you are in the world, but at my Trust you are You seen within 6 weeks for a routine colp appointment, not 20… maybe enquire about that. I work in a colp clinic and quite often, a colp exam confirms the cervix looks healthy and you can go back to routine recall. If they felt that there was change in the cells that the smears haven’t picked up
On, they may do a biopsy or repeat the smear again after a year. Be reassured that the cells are normal, and the HPV is a background change. It sounds contradictory but it is actually reassuring in itself.

This advice is generalised and every person is different, so definitely ask your gp to chase the referral, or go directly to the colp/gynae secretaries at your hospital for an update on where your referral is at.

 

[bcat1998]

A few years ago I had abnormal cells (which were removed via surgery) and postive for hpv. I’m now a mum my pregnancy went smoothly with no issues. All my smears since my treatment have been clear too

Oh this puts me at ease thank you. I haven’t stopped thinking about my results since I got them. Will be going back for another smear next June and hoping my body has cleared the hpv itself .

 

[square_spoon]

I actually bled during the smear, I found it dreadfully painful I wonder can they knock me out for it

I get Valium from my GP for it, they’re really understanding about prescribing it

 

[ChilliBean]

A bit TMI but I sent photos of my noonie to Superdrug pharmacy and they think I’ve got genital warts and I’m mortified. I haven’t been sexually active with anyone for over 2 years or even intimate and my smear on April came back clear. Awaiting face to face with a doctor but ordered the cream via Superdrug.

I feel gross and embarrassed

Try not to feel too embarrassed. STIs are so common, that people you know around you have definitely experienced them, it’s just that nobody talks about it!

 

[Dipdab]

Mine came back as positive in 2017 (I also ended up having a lletz procedure). I have since had 3/4 smears since then and they have all come back as negative/clear.

 

[Drea1984]

With my daughter they couldn’t do a colposcopy as it was in a difficult place?
I think I worry more than she does really. I need to remind her to do her smear!

 

[JTsFringe]

Not sure where you are in the world, but at my Trust you are You seen within 6 weeks for a routine colp appointment, not 20… maybe enquire about that. I work in a colp clinic and quite often, a colp exam confirms the cervix looks healthy and you can go back to routine recall. If they felt that there was change in the cells that the smears haven’t picked up
On, they may do a biopsy or repeat the smear again after a year. Be reassured that the cells are normal, and the HPV is a background change. It sounds contradictory but it is actually reassuring in itself.

This advice is generalised and every person is different, so definitely ask your gp to chase the referral, or go directly to the colp/gynae secretaries at your hospital for an update on where your referral is at.

I'm in the UK, Midlands based. The NHS app says the average wait time for an appointment is 17 weeks. They referred me on 12th September so another 5 weeks or so to go! lol

 

[amarantine]

I have an ectropion but always HPV negative smears, so I’m not sure they’re linked. I have been pregnant in the past but I’m not sure how long the ectropion has been there. Sorry not very helpful but just to try and reassure you that ectropions are harmless (if a bit bothersome) but definitely not a cause for concern

I’ve had it for a good half of my pregnancy and it’s not caused me any actual issues apart from giving me a scare every now and then and causing several calls to maternity triage and trips to hospital before they identified it (at 32 weeks but I’d had it ages by then!). It just occurred to me that there might be a link but sounds unlikely

 

[Jellybb]

Try not to worry - it’s standard protocol for when the HPV infection hasn’t cleared on a repeat smear, even if there are no cell changes evident from the smear sample. The colposcopy itself is fine (I hate smears and thought the colposcopy was actually ‘nicer’) and the results will be communicated to you a couple of weeks after. My practice nurse used lovely language to say they just like to ‘keep an extra eye’ on people who haven’t cleared the HPV infection year to year.

I actually bled during the smear, I found it dreadfully painful I wonder can they knock me out for it

 

[JTsFringe]

Sorry to boost this old thread, but I've tested positive for high risk HPV again (3rd year iv had it now) and they've referred me to the hospital. I've been waiting since September for a referral which can take apparently 20 weeks and in the mean time I just sit here hoping on a prayer that all is fine. Has anyone else had HPV consistently? What was the next steps for you?

 

[amarantine]

Just found this thread whilst browsing - my last smear came back HPV positive and I was due to go for another smear this year then got pregnant. I’ve spent all pregnancy since 23 weeks (38 now) bleeding on and off from a cervical ectropion which is where cells grow abnormally outside the cervix. Could this be linked to HPV? It’s only just occurred to me that there could be a link between them and now I’m worried about post pregnancy and what will have happened, whether HPV is now gone or the ectropion is linked to development of abnormal cells, or if said ectropion is just a me thing I would have got anyway which is actually common in 10% of pregnancies…

 

[Amyx1518]

Just found this thread whilst browsing - my last smear came back HPV positive and I was due to go for another smear this year then got pregnant. I’ve spent all pregnancy since 23 weeks (38 now) bleeding on and off from a cervical ectropion which is where cells grow abnormally outside the cervix. Could this be linked to HPV? It’s only just occurred to me that there could be a link between them and now I’m worried about post pregnancy and what will have happened, whether HPV is now gone or the ectropion is linked to development of abnormal cells, or if said ectropion is just a me thing I would have got anyway which is actually common in 10% of pregnancies…

I have an ectropion but always HPV negative smears, so I’m not sure they’re linked. I have been pregnant in the past but I’m not sure how long the ectropion has been there. Sorry not very helpful but just to try and reassure you that ectropions are harmless (if a bit bothersome) but definitely not a cause for concern

 

[JTsFringe]

Hi - what are they referring you for? Is it a colposcopy? Try not to worry - hard to do, I know. My daughter has had HPV for four years. It just won’t go. She has yearly smears - only 29 - but they didn’t even do colposcopy because the area is so small.

Just checked my nhs app. Yes a colposcopy.

 

[bcat1998]

Bumping this thread again, I tested positive for hpv on my first smear I had done 2 weeks ago, no abnormal cells. They didn’t send me a booklet with my letter and I’m finding when I googled stuff there wasn’t much information about it. And what I have seen of it has worried me. Does it affect fertility? As I haven’t had children yet and I’m now worried this is a problem

 

[Drea1984]

My daughter has HPV. Late 20s. She has to have a smear each year. When it was detected they said she was to have a colposcopy. But when we got there they said it was “too high up” so used some “silver” on it? I didn’t really understand. Is that like burning off the cells? I should have asked but was just so worried for her

 

[Drea1984]

Sorry to boost this old thread, but I've tested positive for high risk HPV again (3rd year iv had it now) and they've referred me to the hospital. I've been waiting since September for a referral which can take apparently 20 weeks and in the mean time I just sit here hoping on a prayer that all is fine. Has anyone else had HPV consistently? What was the next steps for you?

Hi - what are they referring you for? Is it a colposcopy? Try not to worry - hard to do, I know. My daughter has had HPV for four years. It just won’t go. She has yearly smears - only 29 - but they didn’t even do colposcopy because the area is so small.

 

[Jellybb]

Bumping this old thread! Anyway I tested positive for hpv last year with no abnormal cells so I had to go for another smear test a year later (2weeks ago) to see if the hpv is gone.. anyways my doctor called me a while ago telling me she is arranging a colposcopy. Has anyone got any experience with this? I’m not sure as to what the need for a colposcopy is when I have no abnormal cells 🫣 I should have asked her when she called but I was rushing around

 

[Kim Mild]

I believe hpv can also be elsewhere in the body . I know a man who had cancer in his throat caused by hpv.

 

[Drea1984]

My daughter has HPV. Picked up on her 1st smear 3years ago. She has yearly smears and has had “silver” treatment. I’m unsure what this is to be honest so if anyone can explain please!
it can cause genital warts I know