Abnormal pap...questions and need support

nickianddavid

I went in for my yearly pap smear and called for the results which were abnormal.  The nurse said it was abnormal cells and she explained that they had checked fro HPV and the results were negative (thankfully).  She said that if you had to have an abnormal pap, this is the kind you want, very mild.  I told her that a week before I went in for the pap smear, I had a yeast infection, and could that have caused the abnormal results.  She said yes, it was possible and then set me up another pap appt in 3 months.  I asked if my DH and I could still TTC and she said yes. 

I am freaking out.  I cried and cried and have worried myself sick.  Has this happened to anyone else and if so what was your outcome?  To make matters worse, have been lightly spotting for the last 3 days.  My chart is terrible this month, but I think I am a day late. We just moved, so I stopped temping becasue of our crazy packing schedule. I got a BFN on 10 DPO but haven't tested since.  I'm worried that the whole not starting is a result of the the abnormal cells. 

Please, ladies, I need some advice and support!!!  I am scared to death. 

theandersons09

I'd imagine it could be related to your yeast infection. I had mildly abnormal cells and they were HPV and I just had a LEEP last week to remove them. They ended up being CIN II, further along than we expected. :-/ But if they already tested yours for HPV and it was negative then its probably nothing to worry about! But the waiting game is indeed stressful. Good luck and STAY AWAY FROM GOOGLE AND WEBMD! haha. It'll make you stress way worse!

megemoney

Yes, I have had an abnormal pap.  It was not that big of a deal.  Also HPV negative. 

You will have a pap every three months for a year to make sure you are going back into the "normal" range.  You may possibly be scheduled for a colposcopy.  That is a like a pap on steroids.  It is a biopsy of your cervix for a lack of a better way to describe it.  They check for cancer cells.  At least, that is why I had one. 

The spotting could be from your pap.  

Try not to think the worst.  She said it is mild and that is good news.  I will keep you in my prayers!

gberg1331

theandersons09:

I'd imagine it could be related to your yeast infection. I had mildly abnormal cells and they were HPV and I just had a LEEP last week to remove them. They ended up being CIN II, further along than we expected. :-/ But if they already tested yours for HPV and it was negative then its probably nothing to worry about! But the waiting game is indeed stressful. Good luck and STAY AWAY FROM GOOGLE AND WEBMD! haha. It'll make you stress way worse!

Ditto - I had one a few years ago when i was in law school, actually had a colposcopy and it turned out to be nothing.  The worst part about the whole experience?  I was so scared I made my mom come to the doctor's appointment with me, she had to fly to come and see me, and during the consultation, the OB/GYN asked me how many sexual partners i had had in front of my mom!!  awful, awful, awful. 

Don't worry, go for the follow up, probably everything will turn out to be perfectly fine!!

 

 

waltzingmatilda13

I had an abnormal pap years ago and it wasn't anything really serious. All my doctor ended up doing was freezing off the abnormal cells and then monitoring me with paps every 3 months. The freezing isn't as horrible as it sounds, it really just felt like really bad cramps during the procedure and then mild cramps for the rest of the day. I've been fine ever since. 

Hopefully everything will turn out okay and it's just from your infection, just try not to read too much into it until you hear something definite.  

MKeene25

I agree. Don't stress...everything will be fine...

BlueEyedDreamer

I've had several abnormal paps over the years, all negative for HPV. They've showed low grade dysplasia. I've had two colposcopies (a procedure where they look at your cervix with a microscope for abnormal spots) and they took biopsies during both (that part is not fun at all). The results just showed mild inflammation on my cervix, no cancer or other scaries. The second one actually showed scar tissue from my first one (great!).

It's actually pretty normal to have an abnormal pap from time to time, so try not to get too worried about it. The first time, I sort of freaked out, but that was mainly because my doctor was an idiot and could not explain to me what an abnormal pap result meant - I basically thought I had cancer.

Abnormal cells often clear up on their own, and they did for me. Just try to schedule your repeat pap for a time when you haven't had a yeast infection or anything else unusual going on, and be sure not to have sex for at least 48 hrs leading up to your appointment.

salt78

Never fear. Abnormal paps happen ALL. THE. TIME.

I know it is initially scary, but think of it this way...if you were in any sort of danger right now, they certainly wouldn't be telling you to come back in three months...they'd be getting you up in the stirrups ASAP. I'm sure you are 100% fine. Try not to stress yourself out over it. Seriously...it happens to SO many people.

I was called back in for a colposcopy instead of a follow up pap when some abnormal cells were found last year and I am perfectly fine. 

nd01

I had an abnormal pap when I just got out of college and completely freaked out.  I had to go for a follow up and they were like - oh, everything's fine.  So don't let yourself get worked up without knowing what it is.  I think it is pretty common (and good that they ruled out HPV).  Also, if you are monogamous then I think this cuts down on a lot of other reasons to get abnormal results so try not to stress!! 

jewls261521

I've also had abnormal paps. I had a LEEP done in November of 2009 because I had moderate/severe dysplasia (I think that's how you spell it) so I was also really freaked out. After that though, I had to go back every three months to monitor it, and since then, my last three paps have been normal. I also had to see a specialist at a nearby hospital during this whole thing, and he told me a lot of times things like that just go away on their own. So I know it's scary, but definitely try not to stress. I'm sure everything will be fine

jewls261521

BlueEyedDreamer:

I've had several abnormal paps over the years, all negative for HPV. They've showed low grade dysplasia. I've had two colposcopies (a procedure where they look at your cervix with a microscope for abnormal spots) and they took biopsies during both (that part is not fun at all). The results just showed mild inflammation on my cervix, no cancer or other scaries. The second one actually showed scar tissue from my first one (great!).

It's actually pretty normal to have an abnormal pap from time to time, so try not to get too worried about it. The first time, I sort of freaked out, but that was mainly because my doctor was an idiot and could not explain to me what an abnormal pap result meant - I basically thought I had cancer.

Abnormal cells often clear up on their own, and they did for me. Just try to schedule your repeat pap for a time when you haven't had a yeast infection or anything else unusual going on, and be sure not to have sex for at least 48 hrs leading up to your appointment.

Ugh, I've had biopsies taken too. Three colposcopies and they took two biopsies at each one. Not fun at all.

kelle017

I had an abnormal pap April 2010 which was positive for hpv.  I had a colposcopy where they tooka few samples and one did have hpv.  I went back in Jan. for a follow up pap and it was normal.  The nurse at the time of the colposcopy said it was super early (thankful I did yearly paps!) and that alot of times those things clear up on their own.

nickianddavid

Ladies, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your stories and offering support.  This is why TB boards are so wonderful.  Where else could I turn to get support like this from some extremely intellegent and sensitive women.  THANK YOU!  

I am going to take your advice and think positive and wait and see what happens in 3 months.  I am still worried but I feel better and not so alone.

kg_08

It's probably fine!

Back in the day I had an abnormal PAP. I was actually told I had certain cells that could cause pre-term labor, and was on antibiotcs for a week. I ended up getting pregnant later and went a week overdue. No problem!

jessican08

I had an abnormal pap once a few years ago and when I went back for my next check, it came back normal, no issues whatsoever. I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress.

Did you spot before or after your pap? The pap might have irritated your cervix which can cause spotting, or it might just be random mid-cycle spotting. I'm sorry you're having to go through this.

byrne15

I started getting paps at 21 years old...and had never had a normal pap until last year.  (I also found out after my 1st appt. that I have HPV)

I started going ever 6 months for a repeat pap and cervical biospy.  Finally by the time I was 25 years old it had progressed to severe dysplasia.  I had a LEEP done and then ended up with more severe abnormal cells.  A year later I had 25% of my cervix removed and had my 1st normal result 6 months later. 

nickianddavid

jessicandavies:

Did you spot before or after your pap? The pap might have irritated your cervix which can cause spotting, or it might just be random mid-cycle spotting. I'm sorry you're having to go through this.

Had my pap about 2 weeks ago.  I started spotting 2 days ago.  I thought it was the start of my AF but still nothing today and I'm 14 DPO.  I just didn't know if spotting and delayed AF could be a symptom of the abnormal cells. 

brookelynpaisley

Aw, I'm very sorry you're going through this. Please try not to worry too much. I had an abnormal when I was 21, and I know that it can be very nerve-wracking. Cervical cells regenerate every three months, which is why she's wanting to do a follow up just to see if it was caused by the infection, or if it's something going wrong. I had to do PAPs every 3 months for a year, and never had another abnormal or any other procedures. I haven't had abnormal result since, either - it was just a fluke. I hope it turns out that way for you as well. Hang in there! If she's not worried about you continuing TTC or wanting to do further testing, I think it's a good sign

Etchylee

I have had two come back abnormal. The last time was just a few months ago in March. The first time it happened, they did a repeat pap in 3 months and by then it was all normal. A year later, when I went back for my annual, it was abnormal again. That time they did a colposcopy a few weeks later, but the results for that also came back fine. I was HPV negative both times. Abnormal paps happens. Both times I freaked out, but was reassured that if you had to have abnormal cells, these were the ones you wanted, and sure enough it all ended up fine. I know it's scary until you get the results though, but hang in there. I'm sure it will all be well. 

nursemama2be

The good news is you are HPV negative. The majority of cervical cancers are linked to HPV. I too had an abnormal pap, tested HPV negative and at my repeat pap all was normal.

mkaultman29

Don't freak out! This is very common. You are already doing the right thing by following up. I had an abnormal pap 6 months ago and went in 2 weeks ago and had a normal pap. Got the BFP a week later. So stop stressing!

bingqilin00

Please don't stress yourself. I had an abnormal pap years ago - mild dysplasia.  I had a colposcopy too - no big deal. After that - everything went back to normal. They say often times it corrects itself with no procedures etc... I was so stressed when I went through all of this - but then it all turned out to be fine.

nickianddavid

mkaultman29:

Don't freak out! This is very common. You are already doing the right thing by following up. I had an abnormal pap 6 months ago and went in 2 weeks ago and had a normal pap. Got the BFP a week later. So stop stressing!

Wow!!  This is encouraging.  Thank all of you for sharing.  You all have made my day and my outlook much brighter.