Scarleteen

So I had a pap done 2 weeks ago as well as the hpv genetic testing. My doctor called today and said she needs to see me for a follow up tomorrow. I'm literally freaking out. I already have hpv genital warts. I got the gardisil vaccine but that was after I already had the warts. Obviously the results are not good. I'm terrified. I've never had an abnormal pap before so I'm not sure if that's it. But I hear the hpv genetic testing only tests for high risk strains. Is this true? I've tried doing my research but I feel confused. If I have an abnormal pap does it mean I automatically have hpv? Is the hpv genetic testing only for high risk strains?

Hi Fadedpassion,

An abnormal pap doesn't automatically mean you have HPV. The exact meaning of the result depends on what type of abnormal cells they found. As for your concerns about the genetic testing, I would ask your healthcare provider the specifics of the test when you see them. Right now it sounds like the best thing you can do for yourself is some self-care while you wait for your appointment: Self-Care a La Carte

I tested positive for 1 low risk hpv strain (warts) and I tested positive for 1 high risk hpv strain. My doctor seemed fine about it and said that because of my age (25) my body should be able to keep it dormant. She said she probably wants to do more frequent paps just to be on the safe side and that she would speak to a gynecologist to get their opinion. I just got a call from the gynecologist and they want to see me on Thursday. Now I'm scared, I'm surprised they want to see me that fast. What do you think they will do? My doctor didn't seem to think I needed additional testing but when I asked an hpv group that I'm in they think I might need a colposcopy. I don't really know why I would need one if I always had normal paps. They said my high risk strain is active, but I thought if it was active that it would have given me an abnormal pap.

I totally understand feeling stressed about this: it can be scary to be diagnosed with something associated with the possibility of cancer! However, it sounds like you're in good medical hands, getting good care, so the best thing you can do for yourself until you can speak to the gynecologist and get more information is to try and focus on other things, and do what you can not to stress too much. The self-care article Sam linked you to in her response has some good suggestions on how to do that if you aren't sure where to start.

I also wouldn't read anything into how soon the gynecologist wants to see you: it's possible that was just the first available appointment they had and they didn't want to keep you waiting (I don't know where you are in Canada, but here in BC people just tend to get slotted into the first open appointment with specialists, and you're lucky if you don't have to wait a month!). There's no way for us to know what the gyn will do, but you could always try calling their office to ask if it would make you feel better. A colposcopy is a possibility, but it's also possible that they just want to check in with you to establish a pattern of more frequent monitoring for the next little while. HPV is extremely common, and it's something that most sexually active people will have at some point in their lives; very few of those people develop any kind of cancer as a result and even the high-risk strains do not always lead to cancer.

Per the active infection, it being active just means that you currently have HPV in your body, and it doesn't mean that you would have an abnormal result on your pap test. A pap smear doesn't actually test for HPV itself, it's designed to detect the changes in cells that are usually caused by HPV. So, you can have HPV and not have any of those cell changes, which is why you can have HPV and normal pap results. Does that make sense? (If you haven't seen it already, our article on HPV might help clear some of this up for you too: The STI Files: Human Papillomavirus (HPV))

Yes that makes a lot of sense and I really appreciate your response. You helped put a lot of things into perspective. I was confused about a lot but you explained it in a way that makes sense.

The gynecologist said she isn't concerned at all. She said she was surprised I even had an hpv test done because of my age. She said my body will most likely fight it off and that getting the Gardisil 9 is very beneficial and could help fight it off. Just to make sure she's sending my results off to another doctor but she doesn't think I need further testing. She offered to do another pap in 3 months but said she didn't think it was necessary, it's just to ease my mind. She said I can do a pap every 3 years. I told her I will continue to do 1 a year. Overall it was all good

Hey FadedPassion. I'm glad to hear the good news! How are you feeling? Is there anything else we can do to support you right now?

Thank you! I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, lol.