My story with HPV

Hi there to all you wonderful and courageous women out there.

I am so thrilled to have come across this site. I no longer feel as ashamed and alone as I did previously. Instead, I am feeling empowered and encouraged to learn all I can about HPV and ways of managing my diagnosis.

Here is my story. In 2007 (aged 23) I had my first pap which came back showing abnormal cells (dysplasia). I went for a colposcopy and biopsy in June which revealed moderate dysplasia (CIN I&11). Withing a week, I had a LEEP with clear margins. Thereafter, I had normal paps, however the HPV was still in my system. No abnormal cells though. I figured my body would fight it off naturally, so dodn't worry too much.

Two weeks ago, my pap revelaed, yet again, abnormal cells, sigh... The wave of emotions came right back. The usual fears: inability to have children, hysterectomy, disgust, etc. Yesterday was my second colposcopy and biopsy which went better than the first and I am scheduled for my second LEEP on wednesday (4 November).

The second installment of this common virus manifesting itself in my body has caused me to become much more knowledgable about HPV. I am 25 now, and have also had the HPV vaccine, Cervarix, to prevent any of the other High-risk strains from attacking my system. I am hoping that I now have a second chance to build up my immune system to fight off this virus (since I did not stop smoking, eat healthy or exercise the first time round, yip, I know, terrible. However, there is no point in beating myself up about it now).

My concern is that, I won't be able to do that for the following reason. After research, I found that 80% of women fight off the virus in two years after having clear margins. The unfortunate remaining 20% (where I neatly fall in) will have a reoccurence of dysplasia. Does that mean that my hopes of this being "a second chance to make things right" is just wishful thinking? I would greatly appreciate any response by women who have either experienced something similar or are more knowledgeable about this than me...

Thanks so much.