Aa
Confused...
In 2005 during a routine pap-smear it came back abnormal...this was not concerning to me because I had experienced an abnormal pap-smear, waited a while before having another and it would come back normal which my current doctor told me many women experience. This particular doctor who had done my pap smear asked if I'd ever had the "new" pap smear that tests for HPV. I told her no, that I didn't even know what HPV was but if she wanted to do that, go ahead because at that time I hadn't had sex in 4 years, so "I know don't have that" Low and behold to my surprise I was called about a week later and was told that I tested positive for HPV (high-risk), and suggested I return for a colposcopy. After having that procedure it was found that I had mild changes in the cervix. I totally lost it, cried and wondered what I was gonna do? I opted to not go forward with another procedure but to watch it...
Fast forward to 2008...my coping mechanism is avoidance, so I made myself forget about HPV and the small what I thought warts that had come and gone. I held my breath made an appt with my doctor and finally went in for another pap smear...which came back NORMAL! "YES! I thought...Free of HPV!"
Fast forward to 2010...about a year ago I noticed a couple small bumps outside my labia (where the warts would usually appear) I thought were maybe just pimples, they went away so I thought nothing of it. But I've had other appearances since then along with itching, and mild burning. (I had no sexual contact at that time) My fear is that the pap smear I had was wrong and that I STILL have HPV!!!! I have not gone to the doctor yet because I am SO scared! I'm currently in a relationship with the love of my life! We're currently talking about getting engaged, we've never had sexual intercourse, but have had oral sex. I can't possibly imagine being told that I still truly have HPV and MAY have even exposed him!!
I've gone through extensive research...and so many questions keep running through my mind...I keep seeing "HPV will clear itself" (so mine NEVER cleared!?!) I also see "Low risk types cause genital warts" (but I was told I had high risk!) So as I run through my entire history, if I in fact still currently have HPV then that means I've had it anywhere from 8-10 YEARS! Could it be possible that the pap-smear really was wrong!? I thought those were conclusive!!! After that amount of time could STILL "clear itself!??!" has ANYONE ever had it for that long, and then it cleared???
As of late I've noticed other things my body is doing...at one point of another one of my nipples have been dry/cracked/itchy w/what looked like a little bleeding. I've also had a sharp stinging pain at the opening of anus while trying to use the bathroom (later noticed bleeding). I self diagnosed it as a fissure (tear), put vaseline on it, and it healed fine w/in a couple of days. I know I have to schedule a complete physical soon....the horror of telling who I pray will STILL eventually be my fiance is paralyzing...because I thought this infection had come and gone!!
Is there hope?
Fast forward to 2008...my coping mechanism is avoidance, so I made myself forget about HPV and the small what I thought warts that had come and gone. I held my breath made an appt with my doctor and finally went in for another pap smear...which came back NORMAL! "YES! I thought...Free of HPV!"
Fast forward to 2010...about a year ago I noticed a couple small bumps outside my labia (where the warts would usually appear) I thought were maybe just pimples, they went away so I thought nothing of it. But I've had other appearances since then along with itching, and mild burning. (I had no sexual contact at that time) My fear is that the pap smear I had was wrong and that I STILL have HPV!!!! I have not gone to the doctor yet because I am SO scared! I'm currently in a relationship with the love of my life! We're currently talking about getting engaged, we've never had sexual intercourse, but have had oral sex. I can't possibly imagine being told that I still truly have HPV and MAY have even exposed him!!
I've gone through extensive research...and so many questions keep running through my mind...I keep seeing "HPV will clear itself" (so mine NEVER cleared!?!) I also see "Low risk types cause genital warts" (but I was told I had high risk!) So as I run through my entire history, if I in fact still currently have HPV then that means I've had it anywhere from 8-10 YEARS! Could it be possible that the pap-smear really was wrong!? I thought those were conclusive!!! After that amount of time could STILL "clear itself!??!" has ANYONE ever had it for that long, and then it cleared???
As of late I've noticed other things my body is doing...at one point of another one of my nipples have been dry/cracked/itchy w/what looked like a little bleeding. I've also had a sharp stinging pain at the opening of anus while trying to use the bathroom (later noticed bleeding). I self diagnosed it as a fissure (tear), put vaseline on it, and it healed fine w/in a couple of days. I know I have to schedule a complete physical soon....the horror of telling who I pray will STILL eventually be my fiance is paralyzing...because I thought this infection had come and gone!!
Is there hope?
Hi girlwonder-
I'll respond to your original post in more detail later, but I just wanted to say congratulations to you and having such a supportive boyfriend! I can imagine how much relief you must feel, having all that out there between the two of you, and it not being a problem!
One thign I would like to say in brief is that the symptoms you described at the end of your original post do not sound like anything related to HPV. Cracked nipples or superficial pain aren't related. Also, I'd like to point out that you're right... HPV infections DO, in the majority of cases, clear within a few years. That said, you can catch multiple strains of the virus that can cause different types of problems and results in pap tests. If you tested positive for HPV ten years ago, and had any sexual partners since then, you could have caught a different strain that would make you HPV positive again. It really is an annoying little virus. Have you only had sex with one person in the last twelve years or so?
I'll respond to your original post in more detail later, but I just wanted to say congratulations to you and having such a supportive boyfriend! I can imagine how much relief you must feel, having all that out there between the two of you, and it not being a problem!
One thign I would like to say in brief is that the symptoms you described at the end of your original post do not sound like anything related to HPV. Cracked nipples or superficial pain aren't related. Also, I'd like to point out that you're right... HPV infections DO, in the majority of cases, clear within a few years. That said, you can catch multiple strains of the virus that can cause different types of problems and results in pap tests. If you tested positive for HPV ten years ago, and had any sexual partners since then, you could have caught a different strain that would make you HPV positive again. It really is an annoying little virus. Have you only had sex with one person in the last twelve years or so?
Update: With a face full of tears I told my boyfriend of all that is going on...and he didn't blink twice before telling me that there is NOTHING that could make him leave me. That he's completely committed to our relationship, my health, and marrying me!! I feel like 10,000 tons was lifted from my shoulders. I praise God for giving me such a loving, caring and supportive partner. We'll be looking for a doctor together this week and schedule an appointment!!
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