I’ve just received my invitation for a colposcopy as well as saying I have HPV. I’m just really confused by it all. Once I’ve had my colposcopy do they treat the HPV so it’s removed and if so if I then have sex with my partner will I get it again?
Hi Alice. The colposcopy won't treat the HPV as it's a viral infection. The colposcopy is just the procedure to have a look at your cervix. They may also take a biopsy of tissue to examine the cells further, and treatment will be recommended after those tests have been done, if it's necessary for you to have any treatment. Jo's blog have just uploaded some really useful info about HPV which I think might answer your questions about sex and re-infection (link here: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/blog/10-myths-about-hpv )
There's also an Ask the Expert section of the website where you can ask a panel of doctors your question if you can't find the answer elsewhere. I've read somewhere that HPV is similar to a cold virus where, once you've cleared one strain, you won't be reinfected with the same one again. But I don't know how true that is.
Hope that helps! If you want any further info on what happens at colposcopy etc, let me know and I'm happy to share my experience.
Much love & take care xx
