abnormal pap smear/hpv please read..?
I had a baby on July 24th and when I went for my 6 week check up they performed a pap smear. The nurse called back today and said my pap smear came up abnormal then she went on to say they needed to see me back so they could do a coloscopy, I believe is what she said and she also said something about hpv (I was freaked out and wasn't paying too much attention) so my questions are.. does my bf have it? Ive only been with one person ever which is him, did he get it from someone else then have it to me? What are the worst case scenarios? Does this mean ill have cervical cancer in the future? No smart remarks please, any answers help thank you!
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You will probably want to ask your doctors a few things...most doctors just report the cell changes are abnormal. Abnormal cell changes are not cancer cell changes. Sometimes a doctor will order reflex DNA HPV test when a Pap test reports abnormal cell changes. HPV DNA testing becomes standard of care with every Pap when a woman is 30 and older. Ask your doctor was HPV DNA testing done.
Your Pap report probably came back ASCUS. A colposcopy is often recommended with this report. Most abnormal cell changes are due to HPV. A report of ASCUS mean that the cells are not easy to read or undetermined a colposcopy is to take a better look at your cervix and a biopsy is taken to make sure the cell changes are of low grade squamous cells. You will want to know if the pathology report came back as ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL, AIS etc.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detec...
Make sure the cell changes are due to squamous cells...another types of cell that is higher up the cervix is glandular sometimes it is difficult to get a good reading of glandular cell changes....so ask your doctor are the cell changes squmaous or glandular.
HPV is a very common infection; if you have only had one sex partner then he did share the virus with you. There is no HPV test for the male in the absence of genital warts. Most men and women do not know they carry the virus. Most HPV infections are acquired through vaginal and anal sex. A person can acquire an HPV infection from a first sex partner if that partner has engaged in sex with anyone. The virus is the most common STI. Over 50% of the populations carry the virus.
Having abnomral cell changes of the cervix does not mean that your infection will progress. In most women the virus does regress. Low grade cell changes are not treated due to the high rate in which these cell changes do regress. This link will give you more statistics to how often the virus does regress.
http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=7892&issue=...
This link will help you understand the natural history of an HPV infection and how common the virus is.
http://www.asccp.org/PracticeManagement/HPV/Natura...
You and your partner will not ping pong the virus back and forth.
Routine Pap testing monitors our cervix. This monitoring allows our doctor to see cell changes early recommend a treatment if or when the cell changes do progress preventing most all cervical cancers. Squamous cell changes are very slow to grow so you doctor can monitor them easily.
Learning a little about the virus should help ease your fears. It is important to know that the virus is common and will regress most often. I am sure your immune system has taken a hit with your new baby. Try to do the little things that will help your body fight the virus eating a balanced diet, good sleep is important (this is extremely difficult with a new baby) try for 7 to 8 hours, reduce stress, limit alcohol you may want to talk to your partner about using condoms for a while. Condom use has been shown to help the body recognize the virus. Condoms for six months should help condoms forever are not needed. The use of condoms in a committed relationship only helps some....you probably partner probably shared his infection the first or second time you had sex it stayed in a latent state (your pregnancy and hormone changes often shows the virus going from a latent state to expressed).
Please do not let the information of abnormal cell changes ...or the knowledge that you have HPV, come between you and your partner. An HPV infection should not come between two people that love each other.
Please take time to ready the links provided.
I wish all 3 of you well.
Understanding cervical cell changes:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingce...
Why Are Young Women More Biologically Susceptible To Cervical Infections?
http://std.about.com/od/stdsspecificcommunities/f/...
google human papiloma virus. I would not be having sexual partners until married. Say Mother Theresa of Calcutta's healing prayer called "Jesus My All in All" found online. And do exactly what your doctor tells you.