Abnormal Pap

binklesss

Ok...a little anxious over here, not gonna lie. Got a call from my Ob/Gyn office that my pap came back with ASCUS (abnormal squamous cells with undetermined significance - friendly term eh?). Of course I had a session with Dr. Google, which actually made me feel a little better, because from what I read, it seems like unless you have HPV, cervical cancer really isn't a concern, and since DH and I have only been with each other, surely I can't have HPV, right? (Holy run-on...sorry!) Well, I checked my lab results online, and somehow I DO have HPV. So. Fun times. I'll have a biopsy on Wednesday and hopefully everything is fine...I'm trying not to worry too much until I know there's actually something to worry about, but that's easier said than done.

So, if anyone has been through this whole process and has any insight for me, it would be much appreciated, along with any good thoughts you can spare top and my way. Thanks ladies!

katiejo1216

I know how nervous you must be feeling because I have been there before!  First off, HPV is super, super common and it can sit for years dormant before showing up in a pap smear.  I am guessing you will be having a procedure called a colposcopy and then a biopsy.  The colposcopy is a little uncomfortable...it is like a pap smear that takes more time and they use a giant microscope to look at your cervix after spraying a solution on it to see how your cells react.  The biopsy isn't pleasant, but it is nothing compared to childbirth so don't worry too much.  I have a very vascular cervix so I bleed a lot the few times I have had a biopsy.  

Getting routine pap smears is really, really important when you have HPV. Try not to worry too much!  I will be sending positive thoughts your way!

binklesss

Thanks so much @katiejo1216‌ . I really appreciate the run down.

SJandVA

I'm sorry and I'm sure your scared. Hopefully everything turns out fine. Huge positive thoughts for you.

sdlaura

I think everyone I know has had an abnormal pap, including me, my sister, my mom, etc . Don't worry - it's usually a very simple fix.

ccam

I've had several abnormal paps and what you're feeling is totally normal.  It's scary to get results like that.  As hard as it is, you just need to take it day by day.  A lot of things can cause an abnormal pap and the majority of these things clear up on their own.  It's good that they found it and they can keep a close eye on it.  Good luck and I hope it's nothing.

binklesss

Thanks so much for the support ladies...you guys are the best! It's nice to hear that it COULD be nothing. I think the nurse freaked me out because she didn't mention that as an option. I think the positive HPV test is really what's bugging me the most now though, because I just don't know how it's possible. I'm definitely feeling better about things today though.

alitria

It's worth keeping in mind that it's not necessary to actually have sex to transmit HPV.  Most adults in the US will contract it at some point, and it can be spread through sexual contact, which is frequently but not necessarily intercourse.  It can also remain dormant for years and years and re-appear at any point.  Also, not all abnormal paps are caused by an underlying HPV infection.