Hi All,
I wondered if anyone had been in a similar situation and would be kind enough to share some advice. I am 27 and following a visit to my GP I was referred on the 2 week wait for colposcopy with biopsy at my local hosptial. This was just over a year ago and I have since been back three times for a similar procedure - each time being told I sometimes test normal on the smear but positive for high risk HPV and all times that I test positive for HPV. At my last appointment I was told that I may be able to return to the regular 3 yearly smear if my results came back as normal, howver have again recieved a letter explaining that although the smear was normal the HPV was deemed as high risk and I am to go back in 4 weeks for a further colposcopy.
Could anyone help with the following questions?
- How can I be diagnosed as High Risk when I am told the NHS do not test which strain or number on the HPV scale my results fall into, if that is right how do they know I am high risk?
- I asked for the accurate detail but was told the NHS cannot fund the test - has anyone in this network had this test done privately and if so would you be prepared to give me the cost detail etc.
- Is it possible that the HPV vaccine could help? Should I pay for it privately?
- I am told I need to boost my immune system, how can I do this?
I am concerned re: the number of follow up colposcopy's I am having to have which I am told could be every 6 months - I have read online that this can weaken the cervix and affect furture fertility - If I am to keep having to have the colposcopy but the HPV is not one of the strains that leads to cervical cancer i'm wondering if I had the test to see which strain it was if this would mean I could stop the colposcopy as i'm sure many of you agree it's not a pleasant expereince and I am so squeamish I tend to faint when they do the biopsy!
Thank you so much in advance for any advice offered,
Abi.