Abnormal cervical screening test before FET

[Lagoon]

I received my smear test results today showing abnormal changes in the cells and high-risk HPV and I have been invited to have a biopsy done. I am raging as my last screening test was in 2019, therefore when I started IVF treatment in May 2021 it wasn't considered necessary to repeat this (it's done every 3 years in the UK). My fresh cycle in June this year failed and I have now started treatment for a FET transfer in a 2-3 weeks. I had my screening test done 3 weeks ago, it was my decision and I tried hard to convince the nurse to do it as it's less than 3 years since the last one. The nurse was surprised though to hear that they didn't do a smear test as part of my IVF preparation tests, that's why she eventually did it for me. I contacted the fertility clinic to inform them about the results and now I fear that the FET will be cancelled. I am so angry and sad.

[Emmanev1]

The exact same thing happened to me. In May I had a smear, June I did a fresh cycle which failed. Then 2 weeks before due to start FET I got my results with the same result. I was devastated thinking I couldn't start. I contacted the hospital department who does the biopsys explained my situation and they saw me the very same day they were brilliant. I got my results back within the week which confirmed I had CIN and usually they have a meeting with the consultant at end of the month. Once again the nurse contacted the consultant that day to discuss what was needed they concluded I could be monitored as sometimes the CIN can leave by itself. Rang clinic all good to go with my FET and I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant. Sorry so long but hope this helps. Make sure you push as people will help if they know xx good luck xx

[L0zza]

I'm so sorry that you're going through this, but well done for pushing to get your cervical screening done, it's so important.

I recently had my routine screening (never had one done as part of pre ivf prep before) which came back positive for hpv but an insufficient sample to give a reliable result as to whether there were abnormal cells. I was told I needed to be retested in 3 months time to confirm. I was due to start the planning stage of our next ivf cycle that week and when I spoke to the clinic they advised that they wouldn't start the cycle until the results were back and clear as they wouldn't want to get me pregnant when there was a chance that would prevent any potential treatment if any was required.

It's sounds like you have already started your round so they may let you continue but I'd definitely speaking to your clinic and recommend putting them in the picture.

Totally understand how frustrating it is and it makes an already difficult process even harder to go through but your health and wellbeing must be the priority. You've absolutely done the right thing to be tested.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, sending you lots of love, hugs, positivity and strength xxx

[Twiglet2]

Sorry to hear you might be delayed, I had the same thing happen I had started down reg for a FET when the results of my NHS smear came in. I had CIN3 (which I think is the worst type) so they took me in for biopsy’s and treatment basically that week and my clinic wouldn’t go forward with the FET and needed a clear smear test before I could proceed (this is Nhs Scotland). It delayed us by 7 months as I had to wait 6 months until they did the repeat smear and then a month for results for the all clear.

It’s really crap but I’m not sure if you are angry at the IVF clinic or Gp but in my experience a smear isn’t part of fertility treatment you just get yourself standard ones in nhs at GP. Fertility treatment just requires they are in date. Also I had one at the start of treatment and it was fine and then next one wasn’t so there isn’t really any guarantees that having one any earlier would have shown up. So I’m not sure there is anyone to be ‘angry’ at but don’t get me wrong I was angry at the whole universe when it happened to us 😬 I think it’s just one of those really frustrating things that can happen on our journey 😢

Great that you pushed for one a bit early though as they will have caught the cells really early. Good luck xx

[Idril in reply to Twiglet2]

Hello,Just a quick question reading your comment. I actually also had the colposcopy for a CIN3 some time ago and the next 2 smears test were cleared. But you had experience with 2 bad results ? I would maybe need to do another test before I start IVF again but once , a gynecologist told me that it was unlikely...!

Thanks!

[Twiglet2 in reply to Idril]

Hi 👋🏼 no just one bad smear and one round of treatment. The biopsy then came back clear that they had got all the cells but the clinic wanted the next smear to be clear as well before recommencing treatment. The people doing the colposcopy and lletz had requested a smear 6 months after treatment. Which was Nov 2019 When that came back clear and there was no further treatment required and I was ‘discharged’ essentially and put back on the standard 3 year smear the IVF clinic took that as able to recommence treatment. The IVF clinic have just asked me if me smear was in date if I wanted to try again for a sibling and it is because I’m not due a smear until Nov 2022 so don’t think they need anything other than that. Hopefully that makes sense? 😊 xx

[Idril in reply to Twiglet2]

Yes!!! Thank you that is reassuring!! Xx

[Purpledoggy]

I did not have a smear as part of IVF prep, just asked if it is in date. I do sometimes wonder whether 3 years is too long as a lot can happen in that time, as you have found. Xx

[Lagoon]

Thank you for your responses. My treatment was cancelled yesterday. I was asked to stop taking the Progynova and of course I am not going ahead with the FET this month. Although I feel totally heartbroken, I know that this is the right thing to do. I have asked whether I can have the colposcopy ASAP but now that the treatment has been cancelled I am not sure if they will rush it. I will only know next week.

My frustration and anger comes down to many things. It’s the 3rd time my treatment is being cancelled.. the first two were because clinicians were not up to date with my case. I complained and they have formally apologised about it. In relation to the cervical screening though I had an abnormal result in the past, this wasn’t factored in. When I had my appointment to start FET treatment I told the doctor that I had a cervical screening done a few days before. I would have preferred it if at that point they had said to me that I can’t proceed until we have the results back. My body wouldn't t have to go an unnecessary medical treatment and NHS wouldn’t have wasted drugs and time.

It does scare me now when I will be able to proceed again. It could be super quick but it could also take months as some of you have mentioned.

[Twiglet2 in reply to Lagoon]

The colposcopy doctor was really sympathetic to my situation and got me an appointment sooner, although at a different hospital, she also gave me the option of having the lletz procedure done at the same time as the biopsy so if when doing the biopsy and check she could see cells that needed treatment, instead of waiting for biopsy results and getting me back in for a second appointment, they just treated them at the same time. I opted for this and it saved me around 8 weeks of time. Perhaps that could be an option you discuss with them. I also got the number of the doctors administration team which meant I could chase up my results of the biopsy and 6 months later my smear. Again they were really understanding and the guy dug through a huge pile of results to find mine and put the results on the system so my letter would be issued quicker. It took a lot of phone calls and explaining the situation to various people but it was definitely worth it. I had also had an apology from my clinic for mistakes and delays before this so I totally understand where you are coming from on the frustration part. I was put into menopause twice and had no periods for months as a result of them letting me start treatment without waiting on the smear results (and me going ahead knowing I didn’t have the results yet too 🙈) so totally understand that anger part, apologies I thought you were angry at the clinic not doing a smear as part of their own tests but I think that’s pretty common

I really hope you get your appointment really soon and you get sorted quickly and back on track for your FET xx

[L0zza]

It's totally understandable why you're feeling frustrated and angry, you've definitely not had a smooth experience, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. Definitely explain to the colposcopy team your situation and that it's currently delaying your ivf treatment and fingers crossed they'll bump you up the list and see you sooner like a previous poster said happened for them. Hope you get the all clear soon and can crack on with your fertility treatment. Got everything crossed for you xx