Hi everyone! Any advice would be really greatly appreciated!
I'm due to be 25 in January so had my smear last month as you can have them at 24 1/2. It was extremely painful, she had to take it out the first time as she realised I had a titled cervix so I had to put my hands in fists under my bum and push up. The swab itself didn't hurt but the manoeuvring to find my cervix was very, very painful.
I had my results back yesterday and I'm HPV+ and have abnormal cells which in the letter say 'borederline changes'? I've been invited for a colposcopy at the hospital so awaiting an appointment now but I am absolutely petrified! This doesn't run in my family as far as I know and all my mum's smears have come back clear. I also have anxiety so I think I'm really, really overthinking it! You open a letter and see the word 'cancer' and just start to think the worst. I'm also super worried if I can't take anyone with me because of COVID and I'm really scared I won't be able to do it alone.
Any tips for first time nerves? None of my friends have had this result so feel a little alone! Thank you so much xx
Hi Ella,
I'm 25 and had the exact same smear experience with the fists under your bum and same results. I'd have a look on Jo's page and have a read about HPV. It doesn't run in families as it's transmitted through sexual contact (it is not an std either).
I went to colposcopy on my own and was terrified. Take your mum or someone with you I suggest who can just wait in the car for you, that's what I did. They really are a lovely bunch at the hospital and really make you feel at ease. The colposcopy itself they take a closer look at your cervix (no hands under your bum this time as you'll be in a better position on the bed with stirrups) and they may wish to take a biopsy. I coughed so didn't feel this at all. Just a little bit of bleeding for about 2/3 days only.
More than welcome to send me a message about it all as I know how many sleepless nights I had worrying.
katie x
Hi
I also have a tilted cervix so can be a little awkward to get to. I was told by the colposcopy nurse to always ask for the smaller speculum. This really helped me and haven't had an uncomfortable smear since. I also tend to find at colposcopy they never seem to have a problem at getting my cervix (there're pros at it).
Colposcopys really aren't that bad, I was petrified before mine and I really didn't need to be.
Hope everything goes ok x
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much for the reply! I definitely think it's more the worry of not knowing what's going to happen but you've definitely given me a bit more insight into how it will be! And it sounds better being on the bed with stirrups so hoping it'll be less painful this time.
It's the biopsy I'm a little worried about (as I stupidly google everything when anything is wrong with me!) so was worried about pain but I might do the cough trick that you did!
I really appreciate your message, thank you so much and I hope all is well :-)
Ella x
Hi!
Thank you so much for your reply! I'm definitely going to ask for the smaller one and see how I get on. I'm glad to hear you haven't had a painful one since! And yes that's true they do colposcopy's daily so hoping that they'll find it super easy!
Thank you for your kind words and I hope you're doing well!
Ella x
