Sex & Romance
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Abnormal Pap?
Have any of you had your results come back abnormal after your pap?
I've read that a lot of women get abnormal results back, for a number of reasons. (Could be rough sex, HPV, STD's, etc.)
I got the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) about 3 1/2 years ago, but I know that only covers only certain strands of HPV. So I guess I'm worried it could be that. And, well, I've been sleeping with a new guy for the past 4 months, and he's a lot bigger than my ex, and we have sex a lot more frequently. He's been tested, and I have too - and we're both clean. I'm just trying to figure out why my results came back abnormal. My doctor said my results were mild, and I've never had abnormal results before.
Thoughts?
Re: Abnormal Pap?
From what I hear, it's incredibly common. I had an abnormal pap about a decade ago (also mild). My doctor sent me for a colposcopy, which confirmed mild cell changes, but ever since then, all my paps have come back normal. This doesn't mean I'm magically "cured," (and I'm vigilant about getting my yearly tests), but the GYN said in most mild cases like mine, things go back to normal on their own and tend to stay that way.
What does your doctor want to do next?
Very good to know. My doc has me scheduled for a colposcopy in two weeks. I have no idea whether it's a regular colposcopy, or if it's a frozen colposcopy (I researched something about them freezing the cells??). But I have a feeling it's going to be painful.
Everytime I get a pap, my cervix contracts and I have cramps for hours afterwards. I hate hate hate them. My body is really sensitive apparently. If I hurt so bad after a pap, I'm afraid a colposcopy is going to be hell.
So mild cell changes, like in your case, don't indicate HPV?
Mine didn't involve any freezing. I'm not going to lie--it was unpleasant, and I had cramping off and on for the rest of the day. Maybe your doctor would prescribe some Xanax beforehand? Doesn't hurt to ask.
Even though my cellular changes were mild, it was still caused by HPV, just not the strain that results in warts or cancer (luckily).
If they have to do a biopsy, I promise you that this really doesn't hurt either. For me, it was a quick pinch and that was it. I had some cramping later, but nothing that Motrin couldn't handle.
Don't worry about it being painful, you'll be so surprised at how easy the procedure is.
And you're right, abnormal paps are very common and can be caused by a number of things. I would try not to worry about it too much.
I had an abnormal pap a few years ago. The results came back as mild dysplasia (precancerous changes in the cells). This was caused by HPV although I, too, have had the Gardasil Vaccine. My gyno told me that she would just keep an eye on it since it was mild and that most mild cases resolve on their own (healthy cells replace the abnormal cells).
Well mine didn't resolve so I ended up having a colposcopy with a biopsy and then later I had cryotherapy where she froze off the abnormal cells. I had to have repeat paps every four months after that for a year. It's been over a year and all of my paps have since been normal. Good Luck!