I got some rather lovely news yesterday. My pap-smear came back abnormal and positive for HPV, and I have to go in next week for a colposcopy. Joy, freakin' joy.
HPV, you probably know, is very common in women, and while some high-risk strains can cause cervical cancer if left untreated, there are also low-risk strains. It can also cause genital warts. Ugh! Please spare me that degradation. I have yet to find out what strain I have, and regardless, I have a pap done every year, like I'm supposed to, and this is the first time I've had one come back abnormal, so it shouldn't be a big deal. If you haven't been in for one yet this year, they're actually adding an HPV test to the process, and if you test clear, then you don't need a pap for three years.
A friend of mine and my sister have both had abnormal pap-smears, small procedures to deal with the specific problems, and it wasn't really a big deal. By the age of 50, 80% of all women have contracted some form of HPV. In my case, it must have been lying dormant in my system for some 15 years or more. I've been with my husband for quite some time now. It was rather surprising to me because he's been the only partner I've had intercourse with, but the virus can be passed by simply skin to skin contact, so that's not the only way to get it.
If you've been lax about getting your yearly pap, get your butt in gear. I really thought I was past any risk for STD's at this point in my life. I honestly would have put myself in the lowest possible risk group.
This probably means just scheduling more frequent paps until I get one that comes back normal again. So basically, another small stress added to my life to worry about and more appointments to keep track of. Sometimes being a girl just isn't fun.
Funny you say so - I just, and I mean 20 minutes ago just, got back from the ick doctor. Last time I had a pap they sent the paperwork back completely blank. Can you believe that? All they have to do is circle "normal" or not and it was just a blank sheet of paper.
Needless to say, he heard my opinion on that....
Good luck with this - hopefully it's just no big deal.
Posted by: Liz | July 03, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Liz - I'm sure you let him have it. Good for you. And I'm rather certain, it's no big deal.
Posted by: Diosa | July 03, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I an think of many reasons why you forgot to get your hair done. Hang in there. Hopefully it's a blip on the radar of crap.
Posted by: Lissfull | July 04, 2008 at 06:53 AM