Abnormal pap

SmileyIsMe

Well, this sucks. I had my yearly pap done last month and just got my results back. It came back abnormal. I posted earlier today about agonizing over whether or not to take a Class B drug for my psoriasis while TTC/pg, and now this.

I've never had an abnormal pap. Trying not to freak myself out, but here I am past midnight and I'm still awake. I realize it's a slim chance it's anything bad, but even that slim chance scary.

Has anyone here had an abnormal pap before? What is the next step like? My doc was describing it on the phone, but after I heard "abnormal" and "possible biopsy" I kinda toned out, so I'm not entirely sure what's next.

I guess the plus side is I'm getting this figured out BEFORE we've officially started TTC.

TrendyTina

 I had an abnormal pap once. I just had to come back in 6 months and the abnormality was gone. My body fixed itself. 

 Most likely it just means there is something your doctor wants to pay closer attention to. For me, it was nothing big and went away on its own.

I understand your stress, though, because I was really scared and thought it would affect whether the doctor would tell me I could TTC. I hope everything works out for you the same way it worked out for me!  

bemrich

It's not always an immediate issue.  I had abnormal paps for 3 years (I was getting them every 6 months).  Usually, the next step would be a colposcopy - an in office procedure.  Mild to moderate cervical dysplasia happens from time to time and isn't anything to worry about.

I didn't need anything more than colpos for a couple of years - until it turned into cervical cancer - but all of mine were the highest grade dysplasia.  Because it was so well watched, after I had the LEEP done, I've had normal paps for the past 2, almost 3 years

 

From what I understood, as long as it's not related to herpes or HIV, you are good to go for TTC.  So if it's HPV, long term use of BC, or some other reason, it's treatable and doesn't negatively impact your fertility.

If you want more details, PM me, okay?

theandersons09

I had my first ever abnormal pap this year as well. I was so worried! Mine ended up being HPV and after a colposcopy and biopsy they determined a LEEP was in order. I just had the procedure two weeks ago. Luckily we found it early and took care of it straight away! Like PP said, it could be anything from just looks funny and is nothing, a little irritation on the cervix, or some dysplasia that could work out on its own. It shouldn't affect TTC unless its HIV or herpes, as mentioned. Just stay away from web md and google! They'll make you worry sick. Good luck and fingers crossed it's nothing! Abnormal paps happen all the time.

sheilatakesabow

I've had them too.  They're very common.  Went in for a colposcopy and Dr. took a biopsy, then had me come back for colpos (no further biopsies) quarterly until it went away on its own, which took about a year.  The colpos don't hurt:  the doc just paints something on your cervix, then looks at it through a special lens.  If everything looks fine, then you're done.  If any areas seem like they might be abnormal, the doc will biopsy them.

A biopsy will hurt a little, but its not bad.  Bring your own pad if you don't want to use the bulky ones they have at the doctor's:  if you have the biopsy, you'll probably have some spotting.  

johnson617

I had an abnormal pap last august. When the nurse called to tell me, she told me it was inflammation which is pretty common. But the still scheduled me for a another pap 6 months later. Everything was normal and fine then so it wasn't a big deal. Try to relax, it could be nothing!

sheilatakesabow

theandersons09:

Mine ended up being HPV

 Good for you for owning that.  I was so amazed that the last thread on paps on here that I read seemed to be full of people falling all over themselves to say "but no it wasn't HPV, no sirree!"  The statistic is that about 50% of sexually active people in the US get it at one time or another, so it seemed improbable.    

Oh, and me too.   

kz's_girlygirl

theandersons09:

I had my first ever abnormal pap this year as well. I was so worried! Mine ended up being HPV and after a colposcopy and biopsy they determined a LEEP was in order. I just had the procedure two weeks ago. Luckily we found it early and took care of it straight away! Like PP said, it could be anything from just looks funny and is nothing, a little irritation on the cervix, or some dysplasia that could work out on its own. It shouldn't affect TTC unless its HIV or herpes, as mentioned. Just stay away from web md and google! They'll make you worry sick. Good luck and fingers crossed it's nothing! Abnormal paps happen all the time.

This is my experience almost exactly, but I had the LEEP back in Feb.  II had an abnormal pap, was scheduled for a colposcopy a few weeks later at which time my Dr. did a biopsy.  After that came back, I was scheduled for the LEEP.  At the beginning of this month I had a post LEEP follow up appt.  which included another pap, and this once came back clear. 

GL, and just take things one step at a time!

Mrs.B6302007

sheilatakesabow:

theandersons09:

Mine ended up being HPV

 Good for you for owning that.  I was so amazed that the last thread on paps on here that I read seemed to be full of people falling all over themselves to say "but no it wasn't HPV, no sirree!"  The statistic is that about 50% of sexually active people in the US get it at one time or another, so it seemed improbable.    

Oh, and me too.   

Yup, BTDT.   HPV is very common.  Getting HPV doesn't mean a woman has been sexually active with a bunch of people to catch it...just the "wrong" one. 

annetastic071710

sheilatakesabow:

theandersons09:

Mine ended up being HPV

 Good for you for owning that.  I was so amazed that the last thread on paps on here that I read seemed to be full of people falling all over themselves to say "but no it wasn't HPV, no sirree!"  The statistic is that about 50% of sexually active people in the US get it at one time or another, so it seemed improbable.    

Oh, and me too.   

Agreed. Most men who carry HPV and are asymptomatic....women lose again! And if we are having a "owning party" -- I had it too. Same story as most of the PP, abnormal PAP and it went away in about a year on its own.

mrskristend821

annetastic071710:

sheilatakesabow:

theandersons09:

Mine ended up being HPV

 Good for you for owning that.  I was so amazed that the last thread on paps on here that I read seemed to be full of people falling all over themselves to say "but no it wasn't HPV, no sirree!"  The statistic is that about 50% of sexually active people in the US get it at one time or another, so it seemed improbable.    

Oh, and me too.   

Agreed. Most men who carry HPV and are asymptomatic....women lose again! And if we are having a "owning party" -- I had it too. Same story as most of the PP, abnormal PAP and it went away in about a year on its own.

Since we're claiming it...I had it too.  Sadly it took 5 years of abnormal paps every 6 months and a new GYN to get rid of it. I've had several colpos - they are nothing to worry about. Cony biopsy wasn't too bad, just a little cramping and I had to wear a pantiliner for about a week.  The LEEP wasn't fun by any stretch, and unfortunately there's no sex for a month after. I had to wear a pad for about 3 weeks of that time. I just got a call a couple of weeks ago from my GYN's nurse to tell me that my follow-up pap was normal! I was in shock...I've gotten so used to the call meaning something's wrong!

Hopefully yours will clear up on its own, lots of women do. Good Luck!

mrskristend821

Oh, and my doc said I should have no fertiliy worries due to the HPV or the LEEP, so that's great news! I have heard that some women who've had LEEP have trouble dialating due to the scar tissue, but once they remove it, the baby usually comes very quickly...just something to be aware of in case.

katiebug58

I've had abnormal paps, colpos, and biopsies for about 6 years now, all due to HPV.  I remember when the doc first told me I had HPV I freaked out because I had never heard of it and found in my research how common it was.  This was the year before the big TV campaign and I didn't understand why noone knew about it.

My doc just watched me closely - she didn't want to do any LEEP or other procedures until after I had kids or until it was absolutely necessary.

On a good note - my results last month were NORMAL!  My body finally cleared the HPV (or atleast it is currently dormant!)

Good luck with your next appointment and try not to worry.  PM me if you want to ask about the procedures I had!

SmileyIsMe

Thanks for all the responses! I'm really hoping that it ends up being nothing, or something easily fixed, but at this point it's just the not knowing that sucks. There really isn't much I can do except wait for the doc to call me back with my next appointment.

It does make me feel better knowing that it worked out for most of you. Hopefully I'll be able to say the same thing pretty soon!

myheromyworld89

I've had a couple abnormal paps come back...in fact I had to have a LEEP done about 2 months ago.  Not gonna lie, the procedure aren't unbareable, but they do suck.  But depending on what stage of dysplasia you have right now they may just try and let your body fight it off on its own.  This is a perfect example though of why it's soooo important to have your yearly.  Cervical cancer, according to my doctor is very treatable as long as it's caught before it spreads.  Odds are you don't have full blown cancer right now.  I'm going to guess you probably just have a case of mild dysplasia, maybe moderate.  Don't worry to much about it.  I know it's hard, I've been there.