Severe dysplasia and High risk HPV

• By flowershoplady
• Posted December 2, 2008 at 9:55 am
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hello, middledaughter. even after a hysterectomy, you should still be getting regular paps and hpv testing, particularly since you have a history of abnormal paps. dysplasia/cancer can still develop in the vagina, though it's unusual (but not rare). and, definitely, if you're in pain, you should be looked at! the gynecologist will still do a pelvic exam, in addition to the pap. hope that helps and they find out the source of your pain! (you may need an ultrasound to better detect what's going on)

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• By bethieboo
• Posted December 3, 2008 at 10:29 am
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Hi middledaughter,
Did they remove the cervix with the hysterectomy? If not by all means you need to be getting regular paps as that's the primary spot the hpv virus tends to attack. flowershoplady is right about the dyplacia/cancer in the vagina - not as common but still every reason to be getting regular paps!!
Keep us posted and don't ever feel stupid - doctors are not very good at explaing things and in my opinion there isn't near enough public education as to 'why' women need to have regular screenings. Being a member of this board has helped me understand just how common of a problem it is.... and insurance companies still don't pay for the hpv test so pay that $40.... it's worth the peace of mind!
Keep us posted!

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• By corellin
• Posted December 3, 2008 at 10:39 am
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Some insurance companies do pay for the HPV test (mine does) -- but, I agree with bethieboo that it's worth the money, even if yours doesn't.

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• By flowershoplady
• Posted December 3, 2008 at 6:34 pm
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my insurance company pays for the hpv test as well, and, unfortunately, i think it's fairly expensive (more than a pap). of course, once i'm doing 'routine' paps and hpv tests (i think that day will come one of these days!), they don't cover those tests and office visits....it's never made 'sense' to me that insurance companies have been slow to include more preventive screening as part of their coverage because costs are certainly less if problems are caught early....but i know i'm preaching to the choir.

many women think that once they've had a hysterectomy, they don't need to have paps, but the american cancer society recommends that paps be done on anyone who has a history of abnormal paps, and personally, i think it should be included as a routine test/exam even without that history since in the grand scheme of things, it's a simple and relatively inexpensive test.

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