Hello, just looking for a bit of advice really. I'm not panicking and actually quite calm. Just wanted some advice or information. I have tested positive for HPV 3 years in a row now. I've had awful foul smelling discharge for a good few months but put this down to having BV or starting HRT (IM 45) I mentioned this to the nurse on my last smear and she didn't really say anything. I've also had lower back pain and extreme tiredness (again put this down to perimenopause) I've also just felt "uncomfortable down there" I had a full blood test done and my results were a bit off,my folate level was low and I was given supplements. Now my latest smear has come back HPV positive again and I have now been sent for a colposcopy. However my smear test said there were no cell abnormalities found. I just wondered can abnormal cells be missed on a smear? Will I definitely have a biopsy when I have my colposcopy? I'm fine with that as I'd rather find out sooner rather than later. Thanks everyone x
Hi Tinkerbell1980 and welcome to our group.
Unfortunately a smear test is not always accurate, and abnormal cells can be missed, but as you’ve seen, testing positive for hpv on your last 3 smears does mean you get a colposcopy as an extra check. Smears can miss abnormal cells, especially if they are higher up in the cervix. The colposcopy takes a much more detailed look at your cervix.
At the colposcopy you will have a liquid applied to your cervix and this will highlight any areas of concern. It may be that nothing is identified, but if it is it would be usual to take one or more biopsies to be sent away for analysis. I didn’t find these punch biopsies hurt when they were being done, but I had a little bit of bleeding afterwards although that doesn’t happen for everyone.
I would definitely suggest that you get this discharge checked out, and I’m surprised the nurse didn’t suggest it. A simple swab could be taken to check and you could have it treated if it is BV for example. I’d mention your fatigue and lower back pain too at the colposcopy, and your feeling of being uncomfortable there so the doctor can build up a picture of what’s going on for you.
A very small proportion of cervical cancers (there are a number of different types) are not caused by hpv, and while I’m not suggesting that you might have cancer, any kind of ongoing symptoms should be investigated to rule out anything nasty.
Good luck with your appointment and I hope you’ll let us know how you get on-hopefully nothing untoward!
Sarah xx
I think the appointment will have been made on the basis of you needing a colposcopy just because of persistent hpv if you didn’t give them any further information previously.
These clinics are very busy, so it may not be possible to get an earlier appointment but it wouldn’t harm to call and say that you could take any cancelled appointment at short notice if you’re able to do that.
Urgent appointments for suspected cancer or where high grade abnormal cells have already been identified will be prioritised over those which are less serious checks, but a few weeks wait should not make any difference to the eventual outcome-I’ve waited weeks for certain things even with an existing actual cancer diagnosis.
Sarah xx
