Babies on the Brain

HPV, colposcopy and biopsy question

My sis just got a letter from her Gyn saying she had an irregular pap and they tested for HPV and she was positive. She is 19 and had the series of HPV shots a few years ago, so why would she still have this? She has to have a colposcopy.  Has anyone had this and is it painful? I just want to reassure her some way.
image

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image
PCOS, Ectopic & M/C of twins October 2010, Currently TTC #2

Re: HPV, colposcopy and biopsy question

  • mmkayemmkaye member
    My sister had it and she said the colposcopy was uncomfortable but not any more painful than a gyno visit.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • The colpo is slightly more uncomfortable than a pap but it only lasts a second. It feels like a pinch.
    2 girls and a dog
  • Loading the player...
  • imageheather_09_15_07:
    The colpo is slightly more uncomfortable than a pap but it only lasts a second. It feels like a pinch.

    This, for the most part.  The HPV vax only covers the most common HPV strains.  I think it is 4.  There are a lot of different strains.  The vax doesn't guarantee 100% resistence.

    photo db44578a-7b8c-4755-ad7b-b5de3ca46717.jpg

    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker



  • I was told that the
    vaccine only protects you
    from 4 strains of HPV,
    and there are 18 total.
    The biopsy was painful
    for me, but I am a huge
    baby. It was quick, and I
    was somehow comforted
    by seeing the chunk of
    cervix they took out.
    Gross, but fascinating.
  • That sucks.  I don't know why that vaccination wouldn't work.  Is it possible she had already been exposed??  The colposcopy is more uncomfortable than a pap (they use a larger speculum).  I would imagine that any biopsy that is needed would be even more painful.  Still, I think that HPV is very managable as long as the patient is diligent about yearly paps.  Hopefully if all goes OK.
    BFP- 08/10/07 M/C- 08/31/07 7wks 6 days BFP- 8/13/10 Audrey 4/26/11 BFP- 10/20/12 M/C- 10/24/12 4wks 2 days
  • I've had a colposcopy before and I didn't feel anything during the actual procedure. Afterwards I just had menstrual-type cramps. If you want to reassure her, tell her that many women "clear" the virus from their system over time.
  • BeabsBeabs member
    Wait...they told her in a letter?
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Mmmm...cake! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • imageBeabs:
    Wait...they told her in a letter?

    I get a letter too. They check off whether you have hpv and tell you to call for f/u.

    2 girls and a dog
  • imageBeabs:
    Wait...they told her in a letter?

    Yep, sh!tty huh?

    image

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image
    PCOS, Ectopic & M/C of twins October 2010, Currently TTC #2
  • BeabsBeabs member
    imageheather_09_15_07:

    imageBeabs:
    Wait...they told her in a letter?

    I get a letter too. They check off whether you have hpv and tell you to call for f/u.

    That seems to me like something you'd not want to find out in a letter.

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Mmmm...cake! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • coming in WAY late to this, but here it is anyway.

    There are over a hundred different types of HPV, very few are really "bad". Those strains either cause genital warts or can cause cancer. 

    The Colposcopy actually only refers to the scope they use to look at the cervix. They put in a speculum, apply some vinegar to the cervix (it turns white on the atypical cells), and then they just look at it. 

    From there, if the spots are large, worrisome, or there are a large quantity, they may decide to take a biopsy of the atypical cells. They take a little this thing that kind of punches out some of the cells. It can be a bit painful. They had me cough to shift the cervix's position. The best thing to do is pop a couple of ibuprofen or nsaid of her choice an hour or so before the procedure.

    After the biopsy they applied a peanut butter looking substance that helps with clotting from any possible bleeding. There can be some mildly uncomfortable menstrual like cramping. Yet again a couple pain relievers help.

    And like a pp said (and her doctor probably told her) most cases go away on their own. Mine took about 3 years and child birth to go away. (My doctor so eloquently put it that childbirth "destroys the cervix" so it's like starting with a clean slate. LOL)

    If you have any more questions, you can PM me

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"