[Volleyballchick]

hey i just got my first pap smear like a week ago and they called me and said it was abnormal and they would have to do a biopsy? and stuff because of HPV. Well I tried doing research on it and I do not really know what it is. Is it supposed to be an STD or something? And can I still have sex with my partner or should he get tested for it too? I tried looking this info up online but I was only gettign confused. They never mentioned anything to me about not being able to have sex or I could pass it on. So does anyone have recommendations? Does anyone else have this problem? I wont know until August 30th when I have to go back so I can't ask the doctor yet.<br><br><br><br>
thanks

 

[karenlovessnow]

As far as I know, and please, you shouldn't take my word for it, but it is ok to still have sex....if you have a biopsy done, you need to abstain from having relations for a week or so afterward so as not to run the risk of infection. You should call the doctor's office and ask whatever questions you may have. They should be able to answer your questions even though you won't be seeing them for a number of weeks. It is possible to have an abnormal pap result and be perfectly ok. Or it can be caused by the HP virus or an STD. Most times, though, it's just due to normal changes in the cervix and the next test they do will come out fine. Don't be afraid to call them and ask them for clarification. It's what they are there for.

 

[chiaraluna]

I believe that HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that can lead to cancer in the worst cases and nothing at all in the best.<br><br><br><br>
According to the CDC: "Some of these viruses are called 'high-risk' types, and may cause abnormal Pap tests. They may also lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Others are called 'ow-risk' types, and they may cause mild Pap test abnormalities or genital warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area, and sometimes are cauliflower shaped."<br><br><br><br>
Here's the website where that and lots of other information is published:<br><br><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm</a>

 

[rabid_child]

I read in a magazine today that 80% of women will, at some time in their life by the time they're 50, have HPV. In most cases, it goes away and nothing comes of it. Other times, it turns into things like genital warts, and still others, it can be a factor in cervical cancer.

 

[raw jess]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>rabid_child</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I read in a magazine today that 80% of women will, at some time in their life by the time they're 50, have HPV. In most cases, it goes away and nothing comes of it. Other times, it turns into things like genital warts, and still others, it can be a factor in cervical cancer.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
80% of PEOPLE. Not just women. It is an STD. It's passed even with condoms. It's so common, thats why nobody ever even talks about it.<br><br>
Most cases go away in 9 months to 2 years. There is no cure, it just "runs its course." If you get a lower risk strain, you may get genital warts. High risk may turn into cervical cancer. Or you might never have a symptom.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://tell-someone.hpv.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GR033" target="_blank">http://tell-someone.hpv.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GR033</a><br><br><br><br>
I got it courtesy of a boyfriend of mine when I was 20. I stayed with him for almost 2 years after first having the abnormal cells. He didn't cheat, he just got it sometime before me. We even used condoms. I got it when I had abnormal pap cells, which turned into cervical dysplasia (precancer) from about the ages of 20-22. I had procedures to burn off the cells (cryocauterizations.) and it was almost exactly 2 years after my last sexual contact with him that I started testing negative for it.

 

[rabid_child]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>raw jess</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
80% of PEOPLE. Not just women. It is an STD. It's passed even with condoms. It's so common, thats why nobody ever even talks about it.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
The article I read was talking about women and the link between HPV and Cervical Cancer. So, regardless of the number of people who have HPV, I was stating what I had read in an article, and that was what it said.

 

[Gustagirl]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">80% of PEOPLE. Not just women. It is an STD. It's passed even with condoms. It's so common, thats why nobody ever even talks about it.<br><br>
Most cases go away in 9 months to 2 years. There is no cure, it just "runs its course." If you get a lower risk strain, you may get genital warts. High risk may turn into cervical cancer. Or you might never have a symptom.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://tell-someone.hpv.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GR033" target="_blank">http://tell-someone.hpv.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=GR033</a><br></div>
</div>
<br>
I watched a show about two sisters who lost their sister to cervical cancer caused by HVP. Raw Jess is right...the best thing I could suggest is learn as much as you can about it.

 

[zoebird]

before getting a biopsy, have you considered going to a midwife who does paps and exams for a second opinion?<br><br><br><br>
get another pap first, they're notorious for being wrong (false positives and false negatives).<br><br><br><br>
as for hpv, that should be a simple test that they can do without the biopsy. the biopsy can be injurious to the cervix, which may cause more harm than good (particularly if your pap is a 'false positive for abnormalities').<br><br><br><br>
i recommend either asking for a second pap from your current doctor and the test for HPV (and get the type so you know what to research) or ask this of another pracititioner. i recommend a midwife because, in general, they tend to be less medical and more inclined to give information than most doctors with whom i've worked.<br><br><br><br>
also, it is an STD, but it's effect on males is different. he can be and will need to be tested. if he had a partner before, he may have gotten HPV from her. he'll need to tell her so that she can be tested and know whether or not she has it. if he didn't have a partner before, and you didn't either, it's difficult to get HPV. if you had a partner before, you'll need to tell him so that he can tell his partner. Also, it's important to tell future partners.<br><br><br><br>
as everyone said, HPV can be basicly harmless (and simply go away) or it can lead to cervical cancer. it depends upon the 'type' of hpv virus that you have.<br><br><br><br>
good luck to you!

 

[IamJen]

Ditto to getting another pap first. There are all sorts of reasons that the results can be "inconclusive" (or whatever terminology your doc uses), and it's really VERY common to get such a result. Also, zoe's right on about not needing a biopsy to test for HPV...they only need a few cells, which they get from that lovely scrape <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/no.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":no:"> during the pap.<br><br><br><br>
Also, to get the most accurate results from the pap tests, it's recommended that you abstain from sex for 48 hours before hand (actually, it's suggested to keep everything out for 48...birth control methods, douches, sex toys, whatever you'd happen to be putting up there <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lipsrsealed2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":sealed:"> )

 

[karenlovessnow]

ditto, ditto to the second pap...actually I thought was routine....I have only had one abnormal pap, years ago, and when they did the second one, everything was fine.

 

[Volleyballchick]

hey thanks for everyones advice. Well they called me and said my pap smear was abnormal and that they test for HPV in it now and said thats what I had but they want to do a biopsy now. So i dont know what the biopsy is for (maybe to see what type or something?)<br><br><br><br>
also I will let him know but i didnt want to possibly freak him out if it was basically harmless.<br><br><br><br>
Thanks everyone

 

[jeneticallymodified]

i'd assume the biopsy would be to get a few more cells from the area of interest, and take a closer look in detail at whats going on with them. its a pretty standard thing to do.

 

[IamJen]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/yes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":yes:"> Once they confirm that you have HPV, further tests are often done to rule out things like cervical cancer. (which is pretty rare, so don't get too worried <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> )<br><br><br><br>
Be sure to talk with your bf about this, as well as any previous partners.

 

[Astarte]

HPV is far more serious for women than it is for men. If he has it, he could pass it on to other partners in the future. He needs to know so that his partners can get the vaccine (which will soon be available) before they have sex with him. I would recommend that you not have sex with him until you get your results, and if you do, absolutely do not do it without a condom.

 

[Lilith]

Get a second opinion, go to another doctor in a month or two for another pap test. I had the same thing happen to me a couple of years ago, out of the blue for my annual exam, they said I had abnormal cells, and tested positive for hpv. They strongly suggested a biopsy, ( I think the biopsy procedure is called a coloscopy or something like that?). Anyways, I researched online about their diagnosis and what that procedure entailed, and I decided to wait to see if my body corrected itself before I had any "work" done on my cervix (because my MO is, why fix something if it can heal itself, and if it can heal itself, why poke around and mess things up unnessessarily?). So I waited a month, went to another doctor for another pap, and my cervix had "healed thyself" lol.<br><br><br><br>
I'm not making light of your situation, I just think with the research I did with their diagnosis at the time,and with weighing the risks of the biopsy, I was proactive and I am glad I did not go through with any unnessary cutting of my cervix. But that is just my story, research a bit more and do what feels right to you. But please get a second opinion.

 

[raw jess]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Lilith</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Get a second opinion, go to another doctor in a month or two for another pap test. I had the same thing happen to me a couple of years ago, out of the blue for my annual exam, they said I had abnormal cells, and tested positive for hpv. They strongly suggested a biopsy, ( I think the biopsy procedure is called a coloscopy or something like that?). Anyways, I researched online about their diagnosis and what that procedure entailed, and I decided to wait to see if my body corrected itself before I had any "work" done on my cervix (because my MO is, why fix something if it can heal itself, and if it can heal itself, why poke around and mess things up unnessessarily?). So I waited a month, went to another doctor for another pap, and my cervix had "healed thyself" lol.<br><br><br><br>
I'm not making light of your situation, I just think with the research I did with their diagnosis at the time,and with weighing the risks of the biopsy, I was proactive and I am glad I did not go through with any unnessary cutting of my cervix. But that is just my story, research a bit more and do what feels right to you. But please get a second opinion.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Yeah, a colposcopy. I had one of those somewhere in the mix of all my procedures/treatments/whatever.

 

[Koalaborg]

usually after an abnormal pap they want to repeat the pap within 6 months - if that comes back abnormal, they want the colposcopy. The colposcopy involves what to me seems like a single hole punch, if you know what they look like. They actually snip a couple of samples from your cervix for the biopsy to find out how severe the dysplasia is and confirm its HPV etc. I would suggest the repeat pap before rushing to the biopsy - but make sure you do it within 6 months.