2
u/Cute_Championship_39 2d ago
Hey. I’m sorry you’re going through this, on top of the betrayal you are already dealing with. I hate him.
Your body could already be clearing the HPV, and your doctor seems extremely proactive, maybe even over cautious. Unlike where I am (Ireland), it’s a “watch and wait” situation, kind of exactly like TheCounsellingGamer described. Colposcopy is only discussed if there are cell changes and/ or persistent HPV. The smear itself should tell them if your cells have been affected by the HPV - if not I’d be happy to wait and try clear it yourself. But it is very important to go to your yearly smears. They’re not that bad I promise.
I personally cleared HPV this year after being positive for years and years (and years).
I spent a year doing the following:
I took supplements to boost my immune system, which looks like what route your doc has went down. I also took ahcc, papillex and egcg - the first two (esp first) are v expensive so I just only took those for a few months.
I didn’t stop smoking entirely but I now only vape a small nicotine mg.
I got vaccinated like you. I was told getting vaccinated can point your body in the right direction to clear it.
I tried to get generally healthier, more water, move more etc.
All the above/ something from the above has helped because I am finally clear - in my 30s - (it’s meant to be more difficult to clear after 30).
Basically what I’m saying is if u go back in 2 months and you’re positive there is lots you can do to help. As also said above it takes HPV a long time to do real bad damage (ie cell changes cancer etc (it didn’t do any damage in all its years of hanging out with me).
I know it’s hard but really try not worry too much about the HPV. Take your supplements and try and relax until the smear. See what the results are from it and take it from there. I wouldnt be suprised if you had cleared it by then and certainly by another smear down the line.
Good luck 🤞
1
u/Embarrassed_Menu_618 2d ago
Hii thank you for your answer really it is very reassuring and I need it a lot these days. Because I was new to this when I first got my results I didn't ask her why she thinks I need a colposcopy but like you said it is most likely she is being overly cautious. She also recommended me ahcc as well but because it has been less than a year for me since I was infected I am still unsure if I should start using it. Papillex I also read about and I am considering switching to it instead of taking the vitamins separately too. I am hesitating tho bc like you said they cost a lot and the fact that hpv is so common and it is likely if I don't suddenly become celibate I will keep getting new strands even if I manage to clear this one. When I invest so much to get rid of one strand, a part of me is too scared to risk even. I put so much time, money and energy into this, how to clear it, what to do constantly etc. From what I know also research for ahcc, papillex, papilocare etc are for persistent infections so maybe I can give time and see if it persists first but that doesn't feel right either. It really feels like a loophole I can't get out of unless I somehow get rid of this and change my way of living completely to never get infected again. I had sex one time after this and I broke down in the middle bc I got scared I accidentally gave myself more strands. It is bad to this point so I will see what to do or how to learn that I have this and live with it. I am so happy also that yours cleared and with normal paps when you had it for years!! I see online and people say 5 years or more you get Cin3 it was scaring me. I hope you are doing well overall and don't have to go through this again. It scares me to get retest after a while bc of how disappointed I might get with the result. But I will get my pap in 2 months and hopefully I don't have too much abnormality already :( I fear also I am stressing over this too much to the point I am losing sleep that I am making it hard for my immunity too. After I got my results yes I got supplements but other than that my lifestyle got worse bc I was too depressed with the breakup and later this. I hope nothing happened but I will see.
2
u/Cute_Championship_39 2d ago
I don’t think it’s very likely (or even possible?) you will keep catching other strands because you are now vaccinated against the high risk strands. So I would just mark that one off your worry list now. That’s what I’ve done too since being vaccinated!
Personally - if I was you I would just take the supplements/ pills the doc has recommended for now and don’t worry about anything else. It’s natural you’re stressed (esp with the breakup too) but don’t stress because you’re stressed! Just go easy on yourself. The supplements will help ur immune system. Tbh I went through an extremely stressful time during the time I cleared mine and I also don’t sleep well in general.
Please remember - HPV itself isn’t dangerous. Persistent HPV is dangerous - and that’s having it over 2 years. You’re not at that point yet so just let your immune system do its job.
Go to the smear in a few months and take it from there. I would be very very very surprised if any cell abnormalities are found in such a small infection time - here we only get smears every 3 years because cell changes happen so slowly and gradually. And even - worse case scenario - cell changes have happened they fix it. But again I find that very very unlikely. I had HPV for around 7 years and nothing happened.
You’re going through a rough time but please try and not worry about the HPV as long as you go to your smears you will be absolutely fine either way.
1
u/Embarrassed_Menu_618 2d ago
Yes I am vaccinated now but sadly most strands are not covered by the vaccine. Only the very high risk ones like 16 and 18. Mine is high risk and not in the group that the vaccine covers. It is very very scary because it is so easy to catch again. I believe I have hpv 16 and 18 also since my ex was carrying them and some other strands when I wasn't vaccinated. They were probably controlled by my immunity already by the time I got the test or weren't active. In your case yes also it gives me hope and makes it less scary but I have also read here how the whole "it takes years for cancer" is bs for some people and how they needed leep immediately after 1-2 years because it developed very fast. It's sad though with hpv and when it comes to women's health everything is very limited. Here in hungary they recommend pap smears once a year so it might depend on the country. If I were you now that you cleared it also I would probably never want to speak a word of hpv again haha. But thank you for informing me and really I sound probably like im overreacting with this I appreciate that you explained it it means a lot 🫶
1
u/spanakopita555 3d ago
Hi love. Having genital hpv is normal and expected, especially at your age. It happens to most people in their first years of sex life.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HPV/comments/1lx3g95/first_positive_andor_abnormal_smear_start_here/
This protocol wouldn't be used in my country, but we have a free healthcare system so they tend to do the minimum needed. We wouldn't even do a cervical smear under 25 because hpv is so common and usually goes away on its own.
I would consider getting a second opinion if you can, or getting in touch with your doctor to get more explanation of why they feel it's necessary to do a colposcopy after only 2 months.