Worried about persistent HPV

[Aussie79]

Hello,

My cervical smears HPV positive result for 5 years. Last year I had low grade cell changes so I was sent for a colposcopy. The consultant did his best to reassure me, took a biopsy and treated the lesion with silver nitrate.

My GP was able to access the result before I'd received the letter. He told me that they'd probably have to repeat the biopsy because the results were inconclusive.

I subsequently received a letter from my consultant and it said that the cell changes were low grade and I'd need a repeat smear in one year (it's due on 7 June).

I've been experiencing terrible pelvic pain and I've seen a gynaecologist. He said the pain is nothing to do with HPV.

My imagination is now on overdrive and I've stupidly looked at Dr Google. I've read that one of the symptoms of cervical cancer is pelvic pain. I don't have any bleeding because I've got the Mirena coil and it's stopped my periods (I am still experiencing hormonal fluctuations and associated symptoms though).

I'm worried that the colposcopy consultant got it wrong and I should have been retested.

Has anyone experienced persistent HPV.

Any tips on what I can do to clear it?

Thanks in advance.

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

🙂Hopefully your upcoming smear test will be normal

It’s possible the pelvic pain isn’t associated with your previous diagnosis. You need peace of mind. Speak to your GP, describe the pain, ask if anything in the copy letter from the Gynaecologist suggested a reason for the pain.

[NotforCissies]

I've been HPV positive for 16 years. Smears never showed it but after a knee replacement, I found warts on my labia. They were treated but since then I've had to have warts around my eyes removed and am still getting the odd wart in other moist areas - elbow crease, palm of hand, groin. I believe I picked up the virus more than 16 years ago from a previous partner and it remained dormant until I was recovering from surgery and immunity was reduced. I'm now 70 and engage with my GPs to arrange colposcopy every couple of years as smears only examine "one number on the clock" - if you imagine your cervix as a clock. It has messed with my head in the past and I try to keep busy and not think about it, while getting checked regularly and being aware of changes in my body.