TWO ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS....IM ONLY 19
This forum is for questions and support regarding gynecology issues such as: Cervical Disorders, Colposcopy, Cramps, Cystitis, Fallopian Tube Disorders, Menstruation, Ovarian Disorders,
PAP Test, Pelvic Exam,
PID,
PMS, Surgery, Tests, Ultrasound, Uterine Disorders, Vaginal Disorders.
i was also told last summer after having a abnormal pap test that i would
need a colposcopy because i had abnormal results.
once the colposcopy done (its not so bad... or painfull) i was told by my gyn
that i had pre-cancerous cells due to hpv..
and i never had a abnormal pap test in the past, and i've been with my husband for a long time.
she did tell me that NOT ALL WOMEN get symptoms when they have hpv
or other problems in the vagina.
i NEVER had any..... no warts no pain... nothing at all....
i had a procedure done to get the pre-cancerous cells out and now i have to get a colposcopy evry 6 months for 2 years to make sure it doen not come back..
to get to your point... usually the gyn does the colposcopy when the results of your pap is not clear and they need to go further and closer to see what it is and sometimes they do the colposcopy to see if pre-cancerous cells are present... or to see what are the changes in yous cervical cells.. they put a liquid and all the cells turn a different a color exept the bad ones (if you have any)...
BELIEVE ME I KNOW ITS STRESSING when you dont know what is going on with your own body... i was freaked out myself and still are...
i wish you luck and let us know how you are doing...
to all who have or are worried they have HPV. let me tell you it is a seriuos thing that requires your constant attention. I am now 23 & havee had 2 colp. tests done 1 in the 1st year,age 21 , with ok results, then now in Apr my pap test came back abnormal so again I had a colposcomy-my spelling is probably incorrect, but again my results where ok. My case is that I have the kind of HPV with no warts, which i thought made me lucky and a more low risk case of HPV. Unfortunately m OBGYN informed me that those with my type of HPV (without warts) are the ones more at risk for curvical cancer(high risk) ! So be aware that you must be the advocate for your body health ask any and all questions of you doctor. It took me 2.5 years worth of pap tests and obgyn visits to learn what I know thus far about hpv. My obgyn just told me a real horror story about a patient last week who came in ffor her 1st pap test in 30 yrs with her teenage daughter. Unaware she has been living with HPV for these many years. Her results came back as curvical cancer. Her case is so severe they say there is nothing that can be done for her, and she will dying. Now she is having her daughter get the HPV vacine Gardacil. I was horrified by this story and asked my doctor if I will have curvical cancer in older age. He said that since I am young and am getting m routine paps 2 time a year until conditions= normal results for 2 years, and then stick religiously to 1 pap each year then my doctor says this kind of proactive attention for signs will minimize the chances of getting cervical cancer. Thus, my message to every girl that gets a chance to see my message, i URGE you to see your doctor or OBGYN as much as they tell you. OFTEN signs of HPV go unsee for years. There are over 100 strands or forms of HPV, while some with warts are low grade risk and might go away on theeir own, there is not certainty of your chances, as each type of HPV is unique. My doctor told me that most likely my symptoms of HPV will eventually disappear, but can reappear at any time. THere is still so much research being done on HPV. Even if you do have HPV I urge you to get the vaccine Gardasil. Educate your mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends about HPV. Shockingly my older cousin in her 30's was diagnosed with HPV over 10 years ago. If i had known about HPV, perhaps I could have been aware of it, and the correct precautions to take. Also I will tell you in my case, I had one partner who had only 1 partner before me, and we used condoms everytime, except for oral, and I somehow still got HPV from m partner. Additionally, he routinely got STD tested prior and during ouur relationship, and had never shown any signs of having HPV. So let me say, it doesn't matter how educated you are get tested and always use a condom, even if your partner has been tested. HPV is not easily tested in MEN, therefore your partner is not always clean. And if you are unfortunately like me with HPV, its ok as long as you take intelligent actions to safegaurd your cervical health, with precautions you will be fine. Also exciting news, my cousin, who is a nurse is working for Gardisil or Gardicil (I'm a bad speller, sorry) says that there is further research being done as we speak on the effects of the HPV vaccine as fars as its benefits for individuals who already have HPV. There is speculation that the Gardasil vaccine has benefits for us with prior HPV getting the vaccine, and it can potentially reduce or help you fight the symptoms of HPV. that is there is question if it is a good thing to get even if you already have HPV. My cousin is urging me to get the HPV vaccine as it has already been proven to protect you against getting 4 other strands of HPV. If you are like me I was fearful and hesitant about even bothering, but I have done some researching and think I will get it, afterall it has been approved bythe FDA and If nothing else its a good precautionary measure to protect myself from future strains of HPV. Also heres an insider tip about the vaccine it - it will cost you about $400 for the full dosage(ie. 3 or 4 shots) if you don't have insurance, = however there this a program or application you can find on their website based upon, your inability to afford the vaccine- if approved they will pay for all of the $ , also you can soon go to your local Planned Parenthood or Birth Right location and get the vaccine for free or a hugely reduced price compared to what it will cost you out of pocket at the doctor's office. Or the community health centers in your area should also be cheaper. Be safe and go and get the vaccine if you are sexually active . I believe 1 in 7 women get HPV. I come from a famil of educators, doctors, and nurses. 3 women in my family have it. What are the risks for the women in your family? Let them know that you have it and urge them to be educated on HPV. Who knows what would have beeen if i had known about my family members with HPV, one an aunt 40 something years old, and a cousin 30 something years old. I didn't know they had it until I told my famil I had HPV. Also in my sex ed classes in middle school and high school HPV was not talked about. It seems not until this last 2 years has HPV started to be talked about. We are learning more and more. I ask myself sometimes why hadn't I been told about HPV?! Don't let someone close to you pay the price of ignorance. Educate your love ones about HPV. it is real and easier to get than you'd think.
Sincerely a girl with HPV and dealing with it - let me know if you have any questions and if this was of any help. Again I am just a girl with HPV, not a doctor , only someone that knows what you are going through and am still dealing with it and educating myself. i am currently a college student and hope this will help other girls out there.