Much needed answeres for HPV questions

I understand that approx. 85% of the population has the HPV virus and most don't even know it.  I have had female issues since I was 12 yrs old, told I should have a total Hyst. at 18 (which I did not, thank goodness) due to Endometriosis.  Had a bout with toxic shock and then had to have class 3 areas froze off of my cervix.  All this by the age of 20.  I have had 2 children, now in there 20's.  At the age of 28 had a total Hyst. due to tumor growing out of my uterus and cervix.  Supposedly benign.  Approx 10 yrs ago, Diagnosed with I.C,  and not currently in any flareups.
     I went in for my regular pap exam 6ish years ago and results came back as having the hpv virus.  I hadn't had any sexual relations for quite some time and she had said I could have had the virus for years and it was dormant and now has become active for whatever reason.  She told me there was nothing I could do about it and I need to stay on top of it as if it turns cancerous and since there is nothing much left there to take out, the results most likely wouldn't turn out well for me!  Needless to say deep depression followed with the feelings of course that noone would ever want to be with someone like me ever again.....I know, silly
     I had been going in every 6 months and about 2 yrs ago she said that I had growths inside my vaginal area, however at the time in the area she had said the growth was, I couldn't see anything, and believe me I looked everyday...Tho did not suggest to do anything.  I haven't gone back as my insurance stopped and at this time there is an area that needs attention.  
     What is the protocal for this?  I have read so many different things and have yet had a straight "this is what you do next"  I need to do something about, I know, but what can I do?  What are the basic options at this point?  This is so very hard to talk about, much less write about.......Can you give me some kind of flowchart of options and "what-to-do's" I should or can follow from here?
     Thanks so much for your time and caring, It's not often you find these qualities....

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
HPV has many strains and the strain of virus causing genital warts is different from the strain causing cervical cancer which are called high risk strains. So we need to check out the strain of virus causing the lesion.

The human papilloma viruses (HPV) are predominantly sexually transmitted and that high-risk HPV types are a major recognized risk factor for development of cervical cancer. If the HPV test positive and your Pap is normal, that means your cervical cells are normal, but you have HPV. You may fight off HPV naturally and never get cell changes. Or, you may not fight off HPV, and HPV could cause cell changes in the future. You should repeat another Pap test and HPV test within a year. Cell changes happen slowly.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.