Hi Noname123,
I'm going to try and help you, but this is in no way to be taken as a replacement for contacting your OB/GYN both to verify what's going on, and scheduling that follow-up PAP smear. I believe what happened, is:
1. You have HPV. It's the most common of all the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). It is not a huge cause for alarm, given how common it is, but I know it can be unsettling to think you have a STD. Here's a link for more info: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
2. You had a pap smear which came back positive for abnormal cell growth, so the doctor did another pap or a biopsy of some sort (I had what's called a cone biopsy, where the doctor takes a tool that looks kind of like a knitting needle with a loop on the end and scoops a tiny cone-shaped bit of your cervix to test the cells).
3. The follow-up pap or biopsy (depending on what your doctor actually did) came back negative.
4. In my experience, once you get a positive read on a pap smear, the doctor likes you to come in every 3 months to check again to ensure no "bad," precancerous cells are present. This is called cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth on the cervix. It is very treatable, and I understand how scary it is. It scared me. But the key is finding it early on so you can get rid of the cells before they have a chance to turn into cancer, which could never happen but better safe than sorry, right?
5. If the biopsy had turned up precancerous cells, the doctor would recommend a procedure such as Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP); I had one 5 years ago. The doctor also could recommend a different procedure, like cryogenically freezing the cells which will then slough off throughout the next month or so as a watery discharge (I had this one a separate time). Cone biopsy also sometime is used to treat cervical dysplasia, as well as laser removal of cells. If you are past child-bearing age, you may opt for a hysterectomy which will remove the cervix, therefore removing likelihood of further infection.
6. Follow-up is key to make sure bad cells don't return. I believe that once you have clear pap smears for a year, you can go back to your annual check-up routine.
7. If you are still of child-bearing age, your doctor may check you when pregnant to verify if you will have an incompetent cervix. All they do if you do have it, is stitch your cervix closed to avoid early dilation/labor.
Hope this all makes sense and helped. Anyone reading this, if you have different information, or are a doctor, please verify and share your experience. Good luck Noname123, and I urge you to be diligent about your health. I realize cost may be a concern for you, but your health is something not to be taken for granted IMO.
~Christine
Comment Reply
Hi Noname123,
I'm going to try and help you, but this is in no way to be taken as a replacement for contacting your OB/GYN both to verify what's going on, and scheduling that follow-up PAP smear. I believe what happened, is:
1. You have HPV. It's the most common of all the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). It is not a huge cause for alarm, given how common it is, but I know it can be unsettling to think you have a STD. Here's a link for more info: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
2. You had a pap smear which came back positive for abnormal cell growth, so the doctor did another pap or a biopsy of some sort (I had what's called a cone biopsy, where the doctor takes a tool that looks kind of like a knitting needle with a loop on the end and scoops a tiny cone-shaped bit of your cervix to test the cells).
3. The follow-up pap or biopsy (depending on what your doctor actually did) came back negative.
4. In my experience, once you get a positive read on a pap smear, the doctor likes you to come in every 3 months to check again to ensure no "bad," precancerous cells are present. This is called cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth on the cervix. It is very treatable, and I understand how scary it is. It scared me. But the key is finding it early on so you can get rid of the cells before they have a chance to turn into cancer, which could never happen but better safe than sorry, right?
5. If the biopsy had turned up precancerous cells, the doctor would recommend a procedure such as Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP); I had one 5 years ago. The doctor also could recommend a different procedure, like cryogenically freezing the cells which will then slough off throughout the next month or so as a watery discharge (I had this one a separate time). Cone biopsy also sometime is used to treat cervical dysplasia, as well as laser removal of cells. If you are past child-bearing age, you may opt for a hysterectomy which will remove the cervix, therefore removing likelihood of further infection.
6. Follow-up is key to make sure bad cells don't return. I believe that once you have clear pap smears for a year, you can go back to your annual check-up routine.
7. If you are still of child-bearing age, your doctor may check you when pregnant to verify if you will have an incompetent cervix. All they do if you do have it, is stitch your cervix closed to avoid early dilation/labor.
Hope this all makes sense and helped. Anyone reading this, if you have different information, or are a doctor, please verify and share your experience. Good luck Noname123, and I urge you to be diligent about your health. I realize cost may be a concern for you, but your health is something not to be taken for granted IMO.
December 3, 2009 - 1:33pm~Christine
This Comment
Reply