My doctor just called to tell me that my pap showed abnormal cells and that I tested HPV+. I know the abnormal cells thing can be caused by a number of things, so I'm not worried that it's cancer just yet. But I'm baffled as to how I got HPV. I'm in a monogamous relationship with the only person I've ever had sexual contact with. She just saw her GYN last month and all of her tests came back negative. So where the heck did it come from?!
I'm scared shitless she'll think I've cheated on her, and I haven't. She's the absolute light of my life and I would die before I would do something that would knowingly hurt her. This is why I'm sitting here sobbing my eyes out trying to make sense of this. I'm not concerned about my health - I mean, of course I am, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - but I don't understand how this could have happened. I'm so scared I'll lose her over something I didn't do.
I'm scared shitless she'll think I've cheated on her, and I haven't. She's the absolute light of my life and I would die before I would do something that would knowingly hurt her. This is why I'm sitting here sobbing my eyes out trying to make sense of this. I'm not concerned about my health - I mean, of course I am, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - but I don't understand how this could have happened. I'm so scared I'll lose her over something I didn't do.
Colposcopy means that they will use a speculum to see the cervix, use a solution on a q-tip to soak the cervix and help 'highlight' the individual cells. They'll also use a thing that looks like a microscope on wheels (this is the colposcope) so they can see very closely and identify if there is any abnormality visible, and how severe the abnormality appears to be. If they can see anything that they want to look at more closely through the lab, they'll take a biopsy - just a tiny pencil-tip sized area, to verify the diagnosis.
The speculum you're familiar with, the swab doesn't feel like much of anything, the colposcope doesn't actually touch you at all. A biopsy can feel like a pinch or a cramp, but it's pretty quick. If you do have a biopsy, you can expect that they will put a solution on the biopsied area, to help it heal faster. That solution goes in looking like mustard, and comes out looking like old coffee grounds. It can also have an odor - sort of vinegary and just different. This is all very common and normal, and shouldn't worry you. The discharge stops within a few days, and then you can resume normal activities (sex, tub baths, swimming, etc).
Most abnormal pap smears end up being nothing of great importance. They warrant some follow up like this colposcopy, and maybe a repeat pap in 6 months or a year. Beyond that, it's just waiting for your immune system to kick into high gear and help those cervical cells heal and push the HPV out. HPV is super, super common and the overwhelming majority of cervix-having people will have it in their lifetimes. Most don't even know about it, and of those who do, most don't have any more than a couple of extra GYN type visits.
I hope this reassures you somewhat, and that your visit tomorrow goes smoothly.
Is what my doctor is doing the normal course of action, or does this immediate thorough exam suggest that there may be more significant abnormalities than one would see when a doctor suggests watching and waiting?