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| Thu, 03-23-2006 - 9:43am |
Hello ladies! First let me apologize to any of you who might have seen this post on another message board as I have been posting all over the place and getting lots of good feedback. I just like to see if anyone else is in a similiar situation or knows anyone who has. I am 31 years old and only had a few sexual partners. I went on the BC pill when I was 28 (which is when I met my now fiancee) and that is the first time I've had unprotected sex, before that I always used a condom. I went off the pill and back to using condoms because I was having bad side effects from the pill. Anyway, this past August, I went for my first gyn. examine in about a year and a half (give or take a few months). As she was doing my pap, she mentioned an HPV test and gave it to me. I figured it was something new and didn't worry about it. She called me a week later saying my pap was completely fine and normal but I came up positive for HPV and to come back in 6 months for another pap, I was totally confused and shocked. Never heard of the virus but have been doing alot of research and found out how common it is. A few weeks ago, I went for my 6 month pap, The nurse asked me if I wanted an hpv test and said that you only take the test ONCE. I passed on it because I was more concerned with my pap results. My Dr. said she was just doing a quick pap and when I asked her about the hpv test again, I could have sworn she said NO you don't need it again. NOw I get a call from her saying my pap is fine and normal again but she wants me to come in for a coloscopy because I'm coming up positive for hpv again, WHAT!? Why do I need this if my pap is normal? The virus seems to be in my cells but not doing anything to my cervix. Not to mention, my DR. does not take med. insurance so I have to pay out of pocket for each office visit. My benefits do cover the labs but not the office visits. Basically I pay $125 everytime and God only knows what a colosp. will cost me. Anyway, do you think I should go for a second opinion? I called my sister's gyn's office and her assist. told me that they only time they do all of that is if a women has an abnormal pap smear. I'm sorry to ramble on and any help would be appreciated!

Hi nchristinzio, welcome!
I haven’t seen you in a while.
A good article about the HPV test is: HPV DNA test: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hpv/test.html which says in part:
“…women 30 years or older be offered the HPV DNA test in addition to their Pap smear and pelvic exam. If the HPV DNA test and Pap smear are negative and the woman does not have an underlying health condition, such as HIV or immunosuppression, then the guidelines suggest that she may wait three years before having another Pap smear and HPV DNA test.”
Some types of HPV aren’t serious and others are. I think you should press your doctor to find out what type HPV you tested positive for and what the implications are. Since you have tested positive I’m thinking your doctor is doing a follow up to see if anything has changed in the 6 months since you were tested.
If it would make you feel better you might want to get a second opinion with a doctor who takes your insurance. Have you tried Planned Parenthood? To find a PP location near you call: 1-800-230-7526.
Thanks for posting. Let us know what your doctor says and how you’re doing, ok?
Good luck and (((hugs)))
Jill
Right now I don’t personally know of anyone else in your situation. If you haven’t already, you might want to post on the iVillage Herpes, HPV and other STDs board at: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhsexdisease I’ll bet the cls and members there will be able to help you. Keep in touch, ok?
(((HUGS)))
Jill
I'm 35 and I was offered the test (I'm still single) by my gyn. (she is very proactive) and since I had mine I've mentioned it to my friends. One had been offered the test by her doctor and several others have since asked to be tested. I'm guessing but I think since the HPV test is optional and women over 30 with neg. paps often are tested infrequently (at 3 year intervals) and some doctors may be reluctant to mention the test unless they have reason to believe the patient is at risk that may be why your friends haven’t heard more about it. It’s definitely worth getting tested because even when using condoms there is contact in the genital area that can transmit some types of HPV.
Keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing, ok?
(((hugs)))
Jill
The HPV test is actually becoming more and more standard with routine pap smears.