abnormal pap

gillysk

Just found out at today's appt. that my pap results were abnormal.  They did an HPV test and I will get results soon.  I have only been with my DH for the last 6 years, so it seems weird to me that i would contract HPV now, but from what I understand it can lay dormant for years.  Also, the nurse said that abnormal paps are common during pregnancy as well.

Anyone have experience with this.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out to be nothing.

ETA:  This is the first abnormal pap I've ever had.

tmhutch

I just found out that my pap was abnormal as well.  I had another abnormal one with my first pregnancy and turned out to be fine, so I wouldn't worry too much!

krissyh21

There are several reasons for an abnormal pap besides HPV. Besides the fact that HPV itself can remain dormant for years before being discovered by PAP. I would not overly think any of this. Google HPV and abnormal PAP to get a lot of useful information.

I had one several years ago, not caused by HPV. It was removed and has not returned since. 

Ncaminiti

not only can it lay dormant but you probably weren't getting checked for HPV before.

Depending on the type of abnormal it can mean either cellular changes or just that something didn't look right. If it's the ASCUS, (something doesn't look right) pap they are gonna wanna know if you have HPV or not because this can be from a lot of stuff.

HGSIL or LGSIL (high or low grade) are cell changes caused by HPV. B/c your immunity goes down during pregnancy the virus has a great likelihood to attack and cause problems. Normally they'll just do 6 month checks and maybe a pregnant Colposcopy. A Colpo is just when they look up close at your cervix and put a solution to check for color changes and make sure they're aren't any abnormal surfaces. After pregnancy they may biospy to see how extensive it is.

 I hope this info helps. Good luck and don't worry HPV is the VERY VERY VERY Common.

MrsCarroll.6-10-07

I've had normal paps for years until a couple years ago I had a normal but positive for HPV. My doctor said they will just monitor it and make sure nothing abnormal grows. I had to have a partial colposcopy while I was pregnant (at about 19weeks) for them to use a microscope to examine my cervix. They said often you'll get false positives for hpv while pregnant.

My colposcopy was normal this time, but I will have to go for another colposcopy again a couple months after the baby is born...skipping the next pap completely.

ambrvan

I also had an abnormal PAP come back two months ago. My mom (who hates my DH) is just loving it because she gets to say things like, "So he gave you HPV. What other STDs are you gonna show up with?" Not that any of that is true. DH is absolutely clean, and his previous wife never came up with an abnormal PAP at all.

So since this was my first ever PAP done (I know, scold me if you must), it must have been someone else (only could have possibly been one person, and we used protection, or it's not HPV at all.

When I have my big appointment this Friday, they're going to do that scope thingy (can't remember what it's called) to get a better look at everything. And then they'll do an HPV test. Pregnancy often comes up with false positives and abnormal PAPs.They also said, though, that even if it is HPV, pregnancy often clears it up.

luckyangel

I had an abnormal pap years ago.  I freaked and thought my boyfriend at the time was cheating on me.  TMI:it turned out to be scar tissue from a relationship with a VERY well endowed guy who had "caused tears" on my cervix.  So trust me-it could be alot of things...I wouldnt worry about it until you have a reason to.

AFwife1106

I've had an abnormal pap every year..  About this time last year, I had my first normal pap and the one that I had at my first OB apt was normal too.. so I'm now "off the hook" when it comes to being checked every 3 months.  That was not fun. 

I've had 6 or 7 colpos (don't hurt, no problem) with multiple biopsies everytime.  They shouldn't do a biopsy when you are pregnant, maybe a small surface one but my doctor told me they wouldn't touch it since it can cause the cervix to spasm and it's a decent risk for things going wacky.  I had high risk lesions and it never progressed.  It went away when I started taking better care of myself, lost weight and stopped drinking.. Probably not the direct cause but I'd like to think I gave my body a chance to take care of itself. 

I agree with pp about there being more reasons why it's abnormal than HPV.. and that you probably weren't tested before.

Anyways, try not to worry too much.