Resolved question:
I am 37 years old and last week found out through papsmear that I have HPV. My pap came back normal but with high risk hpv.
I have read and read stuff online that says you can clear it with a good immune system. Even though I have no idea why now it showed up.
I am stressing every day all day about this and am very afraid. My mother passed of cervical cancer in 1996 and I don't want to go through that.
If at my age it is now showing up does that mean I cannot suppress it? I have to go back in six months and waiting that long is very hard for me. I haven't been able to sleep without taking something and I don't want to leave the house. I do to take my son to school but I come right back home.
I don't know what to do.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
OBGYN
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
HPV is mostly sexually transmitted.
Yes, with a good immune system, some women do clear it off in a couple of years.
Have you been tested earlier for it ?
If not, there is no way of saying how long you have had it, and you should give yourself a chance if that is so, because you might well be one of those who clear it off.
There is no point in stressing out because your Pap smear is normal.
That is very important.
HPV is implicated in causation of cervical lesions, including cervical cancer, but just because you have HPV does not mean you will have cervical cancer.
You can go for further testing and see if you have HPV 16 and 18 subtypes which are most commonly associated with cervical cancer.
However, in any case, there is no option for you but to try and remain healthy ( an active lifestyle, a balanced diet and good immunity give you high chances of clearing the HPV ) and then to have a re test after 6 months.
Apart from that, you cannot do anything.
Stress and so much of anxiety would only negatively impact your immunity.
Remember that it is just a test, and it the more important , and positive part, is that the Pap smear is normal.
Do not freak out, just accept what is, and try and make it better.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Regards.
I am trying not to stress out now because the pap was normal, but then I fear that at some point it will come up bad and that is what I stress about too. I also have a lot of guilt now that I have it.
Have you seen with many of your patients my age that will clear it and go a long time without it showing back up?
Hello,
Most patients do NOT go on to develop cervical cancer, if that reassures you.
Stress and guilt are not good things to have in your body or mind.
Regards.