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I was just diagnosed with HPV. Im feeling scared and alone but most of all....Embarassed. Is there anyone else out there that had HPV and can you give me some words of wsdome. What if my colposcoy come back bad? Does a LEEP hurt? Anyone, Please!

By Anonymous December 10, 2008 - 4:02pm
 
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Im feeling scared and alone but most of all....Embarassed. Is there anyone else out there that has HPV and can you give me some words of wisdome. What if my colposcopy come back bad? Does a LEEP hurt? Will I be able to have a baby? Will my baby have HPV? Anyone, Please!

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I too have just been diagnosed with the non-wart HPV..I am so shocked because I have been in a monogamous relationship for the last year and a half and had a PAP a few months after we began dating in the first place. Is it possible that at the time of my PAP last year that I was not showing any signs? My doctor has only told me so far that he found some abnormal cells and that I tested positive for HPV. He also is having me come in 2 weeks to have a colposcopy done and wants me to have a PAP done every 4-6 months for the next 2 years. Does anyone have any helpful insight to this because the more I research online the more paranoid I am becoming that I will have cervical cancer..

September 19, 2012 - 8:03am

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, as well you don't have anything to feel embarrassed about. Others can give up on you but only you can keep hope alive for yourself. You figure out where u went wrong if did and you don't go backwards. You educate yourself on how to get better and make things better then you move on to blessing, and educating others. Please read my story on here I'm certain you find words of encouragement. God bless you! Stay positive!

Deepest Sincerity,
Felisa Shelby

June 9, 2012 - 4:22am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I just got diagnosed with hpv it's not the genital warts kind although my dr said there was no signs of cancer cells I just have to go back next year for a pap. But I'm still scared and worried. Any advice out there

June 8, 2012 - 12:13pm

Hi, Anon,

I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this and that you feel alone and embarrassed. There are so many women (and men) dealing with HPV, so you are most definitely not alone. I hope that our awesome community here can help you feel better. There are really great women here and we all support each other as we deal with health issues like this.

Warmest regards,
Kristin

May 10, 2009 - 10:52pm

Symptoms produced by the HPV virus usually do go away in the majority of individuals. For those whose symptoms persist there can be numerous reasons for this and no one can definitively be pointed to as the sole cause. Smoking, use of steroids, use of the birth control pill (in some studies), stress, genetics and your bodys own immune system are all in play here. I have dealt with ongoing HPV issues for over 20 years including invasive cancer. You may want to check out my profile for web information you may find helpful.

May 10, 2009 - 10:46am

I know all about being diagnosed with HPV. The person above me said that hpv symptoms go away but that has not been true in my case. Other than the disease I am in great shape with no other health conditions and it's been ten years and I still get an out break of genital warts a couple times a year. But hang in there cause I've met quite a few men and had to have the talk with them and low and behold they have it to or they completely understood.

June 8, 2012 - 8:30pm

Dear Anon, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I appreciate sharing your concerns and feelings in this forum. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year. With that said, what is next for you?

You did not mention if you are have any other symptoms but so you know, most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms and eventually go away, as the body's own defense system clears the virus. Women with temporary HPV infections may develop mild Pap test abnormalities that go away with time. There is no "cure" for HPV infection, although the infection usually goes away on its own. Approximately 90% of women with HPV infection become HPV-negative within two years. However, it is possible that the virus remains in a "sleeping" state and could be reactivated years later.

You will have to determine what course of action to take (to wait or schedule your LEEP procedure). There is always a risk on waiting hoping that the virus goes dormant. On the other hand women with persistent high-risk HPV infections are at greatest risk for developing cervical cancer precursor lesions (abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix) and cervical cancer.

Also if you are sexually active and are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, reducing the number of sexual partners and choosing a partner less likely to be infected may reduce the risk of reoccurance of genital HPV infection. It is not known how much protection condoms provide against HPV, since areas that are not covered by a condom can be exposed to the virus. However, condoms may reduce the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer.

LEEP is a very simple procedure. It takes about 20-30 minutes and is usually performed in your physician's office. I know many women who have had it. I believe it is the best alternative to more aggressive options if you want to have children down the road. To learn more about LEEP procedures click on this link: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgery/a/leepprocedure.htm

Good luck and take care!

December 11, 2008 - 12:18am
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