I am 28 years old and have been with my boyfriend for 4 years. I have always gone regularly to have paps, but since I had always had normal results the Doctor told me they were starting to see people every 2 years. So I had my last in 2006 and it was normal, then just had one a few months ago and it came back with cervical dysplasia. The doctor schedule me for a colposcopy and ended up doing a biopsy and cervical cutterage...The biopsy pinched, but the cervical cuttuerage (sp?) was pretty icky. 2 weeks later I got a call telling me I have CIN III; I am going in for the LEEP procedure on Halloween..go figure. I have researched this in detail, but am still so distraught. The Dr. assured me that I could have had HPV in my system for years that remained dormant...and it's just now presenting itself...I understand that their are a few types of HPV which are much more aggressive than others...but I'm still confused as to how it got so bad in less than two years? My boyfriend had genital warts removed in college...but that is a different type of strain of HPV, the non-cancer causing strain. I suppose he or someone else from my past could have had this aggressive strain and it's just now showing up...I have a great supportive family..(mom had hpv and biopsy etc..but never needed LEEP) and my boyfriend has been with me every step of the way, but I feel the need to hear from other women. My biggest fear is it affecting my ability to carry a baby to term. My boyfriend said to try and not think about that right now and to focus on my health first and foremost...but I can't help but worry about the future. Any advice, support would be much appreciated. Thank you all.
Jen
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CIN III/HPV
- By JeninSD
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 12:53 am · 7 replies
- In Dysplasia including procedures
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Tylenol Hysterectomy Advil Genital warts Radiation therapy Cervical dysplasia Pregnancy Cervical cancer Pain HPV Carcinoma in situ Stress
7 replies
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- By TiffanyB
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 5:26 pm
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i have hpv only for a year and mine is the agressive kind i guess i had a leep done last month on the 17th and they found cin III in less then 8 months i dont want to have kids anymore and my doc said the cin III will probably come back so i'm just waiten i have other problems in my women orgens so my chances of kids is small and i'lm fine with that
For you i do think you should at least try for a baby, so you have no regrets and yes when you are pregnet dont think about it ........it would only put more strain and stress on you .
peace <(^_^)> Tiffany
- By Faith2
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 6:30 pm
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Dear Jen,
Like you, I had regular (annual) Paps. The longest between Paps I ever went was about 1 and 1/2 yrs. Within a period of approx 10 mos, I went from mild dysplasia to CIS (carcinoma in situ) which was diagnosed by LEEP.
The gyn-onc I was seeing at the time thinks that I was having false negative Paps which I have since found out can occur up to 40% of the time using the older Pap smear method. The newer test, liquid prep, has higher accuracy.
Guidelines for frequency of Pap smears have in fact recommended that women with consecutive negative Paps can go as long as 3 yrs between Paps (again, providing past results were negative).
I have questioned this since I experienced changes so quickly. With more info available re: HPV, I think drs now recommend women who are HPV+ to not skip annual exams.
LEEPS can effectively eradicate diseased tissue. Much depends on how severe the dysplasia is, how aggressive and the size of the area affected.
I think it's good to have your medical records so that you can see the pathology to date. LEEPs are less invasive than cold knife cones (which is done under general anesthesia). There is a risk that a LEEP can affect the integrity of the cervix - again, it depends on how much tissue is removed, etc. This would be a good discussion to have with your dr to see what is being recommended, why, how much is thought to be affected and will be removed, side effects, recovery time involved, etc Also, discuss w/your dr your desire for future pregnancy. This all can be overwhelming initially. I'm keeping you in my prayers that your upcoming LEEP takes care of everything and speedy healing.
- By JeninSD
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 9:19 pm
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Thank you to both of you. It helps to know that other women out there have the same questions/fears etc/advice etc.
Faith2, brought up the point about false negatives. I will have to ask my dr about that...
Thank you again.
- By flowershoplady
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 11:20 pm
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jeninsd, i'm sorry to hear you need to have a leep. it's great that you're learning more about hpv and cervical dysplasia/cancer because knowledge is power!
according to the mayo clinic, at least 5% of normal paps are false negatives:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00090/DSECTION=risks
one of the reasons that regular paps are suggested, along with hpv testing (for women over age 30), is that if a pap is a false negative one year, then statistically the problem will get detected the following year. they've changed the recommended frequency to every two years and 3 years depending upon age and history, but i think many of us on this message board would cringe at this idea of women waiting longer than a year between paps. the recommended longer time period is largely a financial recommendation, and is thought to save women from the stress and cost of undergoing additional testing that may not be needed because treatment isn't necessary.
and, like your doctor said, you may have had hpv for a while before it shows any problems....the longer the hpv infection is active, the more likely that dysplasia/cancer will develop. and, many people have more than one strain of hpv, which means you can have strains that can potentially cause genital warts as well as strains that can potentially cause dysplasia/cancer.
most women have their dysplasia successfully removed with a leep, and i sure hope you're in that majority group! having a leep does introduce a risk for future pregnancies, and you'll need to tell a future ob/gyn about your leep history.
for now, focus on yourself and getting healthy. i hope the leep goes smoothly and you recovery easily. meanwhile, i would encourage you to take steps to help clear the hpv infection (eating good for you veggies, getting plenty of sleep, reducing stress, avoiding vaginal inflammation/infection).
let us know how you're doing!
- By JeninSD
- Posted October 15, 2008 at 11:38 pm
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Thank you for your insight Flowershoplady...I truly appreciate it. I remember it seeming weird when the doctor said I didn't need to come back for 2 years (my second to last pap,) and this last time...before the results...she said if everything comes out ok I'll see you in three years. That is crazy to me. Granted I had always had normal paps, but 3 years is a long time to go without...I wouldn't have waited that long anyways. I mean, if HPV strains can remain dormant...why wait 3 years for something to happen. I almost wish I had genital warts, because at least you can remove those and those strains aren't cancer causing. I mean that sarcastically of course.
Thank you and I will keep you all posted on the dreaded LEEP.
- By shadowXXrunner
- Posted October 16, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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Hi Jen
In September of 2007, I had an abnormal Pap. In December, I had my first colposcopy. In Februray, I had my second colpop. By March, they knew it was precancerous. In April, I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. My abnormal Pap turned to cancer in a month. I had my LEEP in May.
Trust me, and I swear I'm not lying, the LEEP is not nearly as bad as you will imagine. They typically use 2-6 syringes of ansethetic to numb the area of your cervix. The LEEP machine is more scary then the prodecure!
Typically a gel-like pad i placed on one leg to absorb any stray electricly. I reccommend taking your preffered pain medicine, like Tylenol, Advil, etc 45 minutes before the procedure.
Once you are set, the doctor looks at your cervix with the colposcope. They turn on the machine, and place the tiny super-heated wire on you cervix.
Honestly, I afraid for nothing- the actual cutting barely hurts if the ansethetic was used correctly. The machine will produce some smoke- normal! Doctors use a tube to suck it out.
The doctor removes all the cancer and some extra tissue. Then you're done! If your LEEP is successful, your doctor should let you know your "margins came back clean", which means all the affected tissue was removed.
I had extremely minimal bleeding after- maybe 1 tablspoon worth a day. No sex, douching, or tampons for 2-10 weeks (varies depending on your doctor- Mine gave me 3, I went 4.5)
You will feel a little tender after your first insertion of anything for a while.
That's really all--- small amount of pain, 10-30 minute procedure, little bleeding, and recovery!
We are strong, and I know you can do it!
Good luck and make sure to update!
Melanie
- By shadowXXrunner
- Posted October 16, 2008 at 12:59 pm
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Jen,
One more thing, sorry. About becoming pregnant- I have a decent/good chance of succes, and even though it may sound scary, most women can concieve once a LEEP is done. Unless your cancer requires a hysterectomy (which is rare), or radiation therapy, you have a decent chance of having a baby! Make sure to mention your LEEP to your family doctor or OBGYN when you start trying. Just practice lots once you heal completely and get in the right frame of mind- positive thinking works wonders!
Best of luck,
Melanie
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