Human Papillomavirus

[ellidew]

Anyone have any experience with this? I got a letter from my doctor (why they wouldn't call i have no idea) that i needed to have a colposcopy (cervical biopsy) done because my pap came back abnormal. I have an annual pap smear and have for the last 10 years. 1 other time i had an abnormal pap and i took antibiotics and then had a repeat pap 3 months later. The repeat pap was not abnormal. This was many years ago.

I asked the nurse at the doctors office why they weren't going the same route this time and she said it was because the pathologist took it 1 step further after there were abnormal cells detected and tested it for HPV and it was positive.

So, now i'm completely freaked out. Is it an STD? Dh and I are monogamous and have been for the last nine years but we both had other partners prior to that. Could hpv really lay undetected for that long? I read on the CDC website that 80% of women will test positive for it before the age of 50. I wonder why we don't hear about it more if it's that common.

Any advice or experiences would be great to hear about. Thanks for reading my rambling!

[diam124]

There is at least one thread about HPV/Abnormal Paps on the Sex & Intimacy board so you can get more info there.

BTW, I think it can definitely be dormant for years and my Ob/Gyn just started routine testing for it this year included in the pap tests.

[ignutzz]

Here is the thread with members expriences: http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29134

[Esq.]

I tested positive for it a few years ago, and ended up having laser surgery to remove the cells. I have had normal paps since then.

FWIW, the gyno I was seeing when I had the first abnormal pap told me that it could only lay dormant for 3 years (which would mean that my DH had to have cheated on me, since I knew that I did not cheat on him). She also told me that I had to have a LEEP done. She was wrong on both counts, so make sure that you see someone who is not going to overtreat you and who knows what the heck they are talking about.

HTH!

[ellidew]

Thanks for the link. I did a search prior to posting this thread. I was surprised when i didn't find any results.