Herpes, HPV & Other STDs

Hi all,

Today I received a letter from my doctor that stated that " your PAP returned mildly abnormal. The cells showed a result of "atypia", which means that while they did not appear normal they were not abnormal enough to indicated that any precancer is present. Your high risk HPV test done at the same time returned positive as well."

So I am rather scared. I'm 22 and have had normal paps in the past. I contacted my last boyfriend, to find out that his has cervical cancer and that his exwife had cervical cancer. So of course I am mortified that I will be next.

I have been reading today to find that there are many strains of HPV and most can vanish with a healthy immune system. I would like to know what I can do to beat this, even if I am in the beginning stages. I would assume that I have the strain that goes to cancer, from is history, and I am sure that I got this from him. So what vitamins/mineral, diets, meds, etc.. can I take/do, that will help me.  Also, I would like to know what to expect to happen? And I want to know what my doctor should be doing, should there be more tests done? Also, I am not currently in a relationship, but when that time comes should I hold off on sex, until my next pap?

I am scared, confused, mad, and need to fight this so I won't get cancer or anything else. Everyone's suggestions would be appreciated.

sunshine

I was also 22 when I had my first abnormal pap smear and found out I had high risk HPV. I'm now 28, have had 6 years of normal pap smears, married, and expecting my first baby. I tell you that to emphasize that an abnormal pap smear and/or a high risk HPV diagnosis is not a death sentence and does not mean you will develop cancer. In fact, cervical cancer is actually very rare even for a person with high risk HPV.

The reason that cervical cancer is even rare for a person with high risk HPV is because follow up care with a gynecologist and regular pap smears are very effective at catching (and removing) cervical abnormalities well before they turn cancerous.

When it comes to mild abnormalities, 70% of the time they clear up on their own due to the woman's own immune system. Obviously it is still important to see your doctor when advised, so that he can monitor your cervix and make sure that they really do go away.

When it comes to more moderate to severe abnormalities, the next step is typically a colposcopy to determine the exact extent and severity, as well as their location. From those results, a doctor may choose to remove them before they could get any worse... thus avoiding any cancer.

The most important thing you can do at this time is to follow up with your doctor as he recommends... whether that's coming back for a pap smear in a few months or going in for a colposcopy, whatever the case may be. That can be all that is needed to prevent cervical cancer.

A good multi-vitamin is a good thing to take each day just to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong.

As for sex in your next relationship, it is important to inform any potential partners that you have HPV. This is something you will be able to pass on to them. And while HPV is not likely to cause them any problems, they can give it to future women they are with who can then go through the same issues you are dealing with now.

A great resource is the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Abnormal Pap Smears and HPV" by Joel Palefsky, MD. It will help you to better understand this virus.

If you have any other questions, let us know.

 

 

Thank you for the assurance that HPV is not a death sentence. I guess the news is still shocking to me. I am still worried that because two people in my ex's life (who I now know to be the carrier) have ended up with cervical cancer. What's done is done, I know that the only things I can do are staying healthy, start taking the multi-vitamins that I have, and read your recommended book.  My doctor doesn't want to see me until a year for another pap, is that normal, one year with no more testing? Thank you for sharing.  If you or anyone here has any more suggestions I would love to hear them.

Thank you.

If you had a normal pap smear with no signs of cervical abnormalities, then yes waiting a year for your next pap smear is normal. It's not unless you have an abnormal pap smear, that they would want you to come in sooner.

But be sure to definately come back for your pap smear in a year - as you are now at a higher risk of having cervical abnormalities in the future.

 

 

I am concerned because I had a 'mildly abnormal pap' and they want to see me in a year. I guess that is all that I can do, thank you for the information.