Hi all, I’m 26 and after having a second colposcopy and 2 biopsy’s they’ve found precancerous cells on my cervix, I am PETRIFIED !!! Being so young and getting this diagnosis has really shocked me to my core and I’d just like some advice on what to expect, how likely this will come back and anything I need to do before and afterwards.
Hi all, im really struggling right now. Long story short I got diagnosed with HR HPV back in July. Early September I had a colposcopy and ECC that showed CIN1 throughout.
Prior to the colposcopy I had a very high libido- higher than my hubby's. Even after finding out about the HPV it didnt slow my drive for him down at all.
Flash forward to September 10th, we already hadn't had sex for a few weeks leading up to the colposcopy appt. After the appt I read on Google to not put anything inside for as long as I was still having discharge. We'll the discharge lasted until my period started so we were at 2 weeks or so post colpo of no sex- 4 weeks total.
We havent had sex (until last night) since the end of august. Last night it took me at least an hr to even get in the mood, another hour before we had PIV and then it took forever for me to "get there". I just kept having thoughts about the infection and lesions inside me. I feel broken. I feel sabotaged by my own body. Idk. I cant explain it but its making me so incredibly sad.
My experience with my drs office and the procedures was also very traumatic (ive left other posts in here about that) idk if that has anything to do with this intimacy problem. Did anyone else experience issues with intimacy after diagnosis/colpo? Do I need therapy?? I cant really afford therapy but I'm really struggling and sad. Sex is very important to me and now I feel like I've lost one of the biggest emotional connectors in my marriage and I'm spiraling.
Any advice is welcome. I woke up this morning and just hate myself for feeling like this, confused if I'll ever want to have sex again and just really depressed after last night's activities and my mood towards them.
hi.
backstory I had a smear in December last year which came back as high grade dyskariosis, had loop biopsy under spinal anaesthesia as my cervix is hard to get too and posterior.
results came back as CIN2 in march 26” but then received a letter in July to say that the sample was taken in 2 pieces and was shallow I already had follow up colp booked in for October 26” so they brought it forward a month and I went on the 22nd sept last month.
at colp she said everything looked fine and she’d do my smear while I was here.
results were back in 8 days!!!! high grade dyskariosis again & then a question mark against invasive squamous carcinoma… I seen the results on my nhs app. Also high risk hpv don’t know which one it’s never ever said on the report.
I’ve spoke to a nurse from colp who said cytology and histology is totally different and it may not even be this but they are questioning it because the cells looked different… it’s not a diagnosis and won’t be until there’s a sample…. however I’m now not booked in to see a consultant until the 22nd of October, I have a scan this coming Wednesday 7th October. which is an ultrasound to check womb etc… this is normal procedure. However I’m scared to have the scan incase they find something.
i cant stop worrying, I can’t eat, I’m not sleeping properly due to a tooth abscess to start with, everything is going through my mind I’m so so so scared for my life right now I have a 16 year old SEN daughter who only has me (she doesn’t know anything). all I can think of is the worst that I definitely have it and that it’s spread and that I’m going to d**!!!! I’m petrified.
please someone tell me they’ve had this result and this turned out not to be the case and all was okay…
the nurse also did say that if it is that it’ll of been caught early.
please give me your good stories I’d really appreciate it, nothing prepares you for this in life and one thing I’m petrified of is not being here anymore. I’ve cried, I’ve shaken with anxiety, I’ve made myself sick, I can’t even put food in my mouth. I know I’m probably overreacting.
I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar because I’m feeling pretty anxious about an upcoming LEEP.
In 2025, I had an abnormal Pap and tested positive for high-risk HPV. My colposcopy looked concerning for a high-grade lesion, but the biopsies ultimately came back as only CIN 1. Because of that, we decided to wait and repeat testing rather than treat it.
Fast forward to 2026: my high-risk HPV test is now negative, but my Pap was abnormal/high-grade again. Initially, I felt reassured by the negative HPV result and was told that it appeared my body had cleared the HPV infection.
I had another colposcopy, and this time one of the biopsies was diagnosed as HSIL/CIN 3. My other biopsy and ECC did not show atypia.
No p16 or Ki-67 staining was performed. I also noticed what appeared to be an error in the pathology report—the specimen was documented as 4 cm when apparently it should have been 0.4 cm (4 mm). I understand that this may simply be a transcription error and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the interpretation of the tissue, but it made me less confident in the report.
I've also been reading about immature squamous metaplasia and other benign/reactive changes that can sometimes mimic high-grade changes under the microscope. I realize that doesn't mean my CIN 3 diagnosis is wrong, but between the negative high-risk HPV test and the error in the pathology report, I asked if another pathologist could review the slides before I undergo the LEEP.
My doctor feels strongly that this is CIN 3 because my Pap, colposcopy appearance, and biopsy all point toward a high-grade lesion and recommends that I proceed with the LEEP. My LEEP is scheduled for next week, and I currently plan to proceed. I just want to feel confident in the diagnosis before having an excisional procedure.
A major part of my anxiety is that I'm actively trying to become a mother. I know LEEP is commonly performed and many women go on to have completely normal pregnancies afterward, but I'm concerned about the potential effects of cervical excision on future pregnancy, especially when I've already been struggling to conceive.
I also feel a little uncomfortable because I worry that requesting a second pathology review came across as questioning my doctor. That wasn't my intention at all. I just want to be thorough before making a decision that could potentially affect a future pregnancy.
Has anyone experienced high-grade Pap/CIN 3 with a negative high-risk HPV test?
Has anyone had CIN 3 slides re-reviewed and received a different diagnosis, or had p16 staining added afterward?
And for anyone who requested a second pathology opinion before a LEEP, was your gynecologist supportive?
I'm not looking for Reddit to tell me whether or not to have the LEEP—I plan to follow medical guidance. I'm mostly interested in hearing from people who have dealt with conflicting HPV/Pap/biopsy results or sought a second pathology review before treatment.
Hi so i'm a 26 year old (turning 27 in dec) I've always been a very health paranoid person especially with anything relating to STIs/STDs.
I made a post on the HPV reddit recently sharing how I'm in shock about getting a positive test after years of testing negative and always using condoms and trying my best to practice safe sex.
I'm mega concerned by how freaking fast everything happened so here's a timeline and can anyone let me know if I'm overreacting?
2014 got gardasil 4 before ever being sexually active
2020 got gardasil 9 after finding out there was an update to the vaccine
2021-2025 tested every May during my yearly gynecology visit (paid for private visits. same doctor every year) always negative to HPV, PAP was normal every time
February 2026 got tested earlier than usual cause i wanted to get a copper IUD (never took hormonal birth control, no intention of relying solely on IUD just paranoid after my friend had a condom break without noticing and ended up having to get an abortion) no HPV, PAP was normal. Got this done at a planned parenthood type facility cause my doctor said it would be cheaper if they did it.
May 2026 didn't cancel my private appointment cause even though at the one month check up, the people at the other clinic told me all was fine with IUD, i did NOT feel right and i wanted a second opinion from my doctor. Nothing was right with IUD! i had to get it removed. Since i was already paying, i took another HPV/PAP test which ended up POSITIVE FOR 3 HIGH RISK STRAINS NOT COVERED BY THE VACCINES (35, 39, 51) AND CERVICAL CELL CHANGES???
July 2026 Colposcopy shows what looks like CIN1, i get a biopsy done and it's actually CIN1 AND 2.
I am not understanding how i can go from negative HPV and no cell changes to CIN2 in 3 months time. It's TERRIFYING.
The doctors (government healthcare) who did the colposcopy wanted me to take the "wait and see" route cause "You might have issues in your pregnancies later on". I didn't let them influence me cause if i can go from nothing to this nonesense this fast I'm not waiting to see NOTHING.
What if i hadn't gotten another test so soon?? What could this have been a year from now? Or worse if i abided to the guidelines here i would have found out in 3 years!! God knows what it could have been then!!!
Getting LEEP done in November and i pray i get clear margins and no more surprises. This whole ordeal has irreparably damaged my mental health by ruining my relationship with myself and my perception of what a safe sexual life looks like. I was already paranoid before, now i don't think I'll ever be intimate with anyone again.
Recently found out I have to get a 2nd leep. It's been almost 2 years since my last one. The night after my first leep, i had a horrifying hemorrhage and I am absolutely TERRIFIED of that happening again. What are the odds I will hemorrhage again? 😭 im also supposed to start my period the day my procedure is scheduled. I'm so freaking scared and tired of this seemingly never ending battle.
I had my colposcopy September 15, and they took 4 biopsies as well as the scraping. I started my period two days ago, and this is insane. I haven’t had this bad of bleeding and clots since my miscarriage, and it’s freaking me out. I’m bleeding Through a super tampon every 45min-1hr, as well as bled through my pads, underwear and pants while asleep, nonstop clots. I know my OB said it’s normal for a weird period but is it this normal??
I just wanted to leave this here because this community helped me so much while I was waiting for my results.
The waiting was honestly one of the hardest parts. I spent so much time imagining the worst, reading everything I could, and being terrified of what my pathology report might say.
Today I finally got my results after my LEEP, and I can finally breathe again. My diagnosis was HSIL/CIN 2, but the lesion was removed and both margins were clear. There was no invasive cancer described in my pathology report.
So, if you're currently waiting and your mind is going to the darkest possible place: try to take it one step at a time.
I know how scary it is to hear “high grade” and immediately think the worst. But high-grade does not mean cancer, and there are treatments for these lesions.
I still have follow-up ahead of me, and I know this isn't necessarily the end of the journey. But today, I'm allowing myself to feel relieved.
Thank you to everyone here who shared their experiences and helped make the waiting a little less lonely.
To anyone waiting for their results: I hope you get the news you're hoping for. And whatever happens, take it one step at a time. You don't have to live through tomorrow's fear today.
Hi everyone, before anyone mentions asking my doctor who did this:
Ive decided to cut ties with that clinic after my traumatic experience (my post was on the one mentioning my mom also passed away and that i felt assaulted by this doctor)
Ive asked the office questions via email but never got emailed back, my GPs office is going to be taking over for results and finding me a new doctor for this (gyncological specialist for the LEEP and anything else i may need)
But i cant speak to my GP til next week, and when i tried urgent care they suggested i just talk to the doctor who did the procedure despite my wishes of not wanting to speak to her again. Plus, i cant seem to get an email back anyways.
I just have some questions...
About 20 minutes after my procedure, i had a large amount of grey sludge (monsel?) come out, was this too fast?
Im spotting, bleeding and losing some scabs id say, and theres smells (i WAS told smells would be normal) i lost some sort of fleshy looking thing aswell, but nothing that looks like coffee grounds.
But i still have heavy cramping a week after, i also feel like theres a golf ball inside me thats really hot, it feels like maybe im clenching something up when im not (im assuming my cervix is still inflamed?) is this a normal feeling? It hurts to sit in certain positions, and after i have a bowel movement, id say im back to being really sore and tender again. Its most comfortable laying down, also walking too much causes cramping and exhaustion
I have no fever or chills that im concerned about, more so just questions on "is what im feeling right now, to be expected" and if this golf ball feeling is also just inflamation?
Thank you so much i really appreciate any help :(
I wanted to share my colposcopy experience because I spent so much time reading posts on here beforehand and was absolutely terrified.
After an abnormal Pap showing ASC-H and positive high-risk HPV other (not 16/18) I was referred for a colposcopy. I went into it expecting the worst, especially after reading so many experiences about pain, biopsies, and feeling faint.
I had my colposcopy without any medication for anxiety or pain management, and honestly, I really didn’t feel like I needed anything.
The biopsies were essentially painless for me. I felt some pressure, but nothing like the pain I had anticipated.
The ECC was probably the most uncomfortable part. I experienced some cramping and a brief vasovagal-type response where I felt lightheaded, but it passed quickly.
My provider was wonderful, and I felt comfortable throughout the procedure.
Unfortunately, one of my biopsies came back as CIN2, so I eventually needed a LEEP. That is where I did advocate for additional anxiety and pain management, and I am so glad I did.
I know everyone’s experience is different, and I don’t want to minimize anyone who has had a painful colposcopy. But if you’re currently spiraling while reading every horror story on Reddit, I wanted to share that it is absolutely possible to have a very manageable experience.
My biggest takeaway: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, discuss pain management, and advocate for yourself. You deserve to feel supported.
Sending love to everyone navigating abnormal Pap results, HPV, CIN, colposcopies, and LEEPs. ❤️
Hi all!
I wanted to share my recent LEEP and result findings with the group.
I am a 31YO female located in Australia.
In Feb & March of this year I unfortunately had 2x back to back miscarriages. After this, I understandably had some worries about my fertility, and had some tests done, as well as an overdue Pap smear.
April - My smear results showed HPV-16, so I booked a colposcopy and follow up regarding miscarriages with my gynae (she had some red flags but I could get into her quickly). She told me during this conversation that the HPV result was due to my partner cheating on me and to seriously consider who I want to have children with. I almost fainted on the spot, I’m a nurse so I know this isn’t true and is terrible bedside manner. She took me through for my colposcopy shortly after which I cried all the way through, but she took no biopsies. She called me with my results a week later stating HSIL CIN-2 and recommended a LEEP. I wanted a second opinion and to find someone I trusted, so I went to a second gynae.
June - I had to wait 6 weeks for a second gynae appointment with a new doctor. She came highly recommended and was beautiful to deal with. We did a second colpo that day with 2x biopsies. The results came back a week later: BIOPSY showed LSIL CIN-1.
However, the swab cytology still showed a lingering HSIL CIN-2 cell knocking about somewhere. A LEEP was again recommended just to be safe. I booked it for the end of July. My gynae said these results were rare and something she doesn’t see very often.
July - I panicked, I was so stressed about my timeline and had a gut feeling that my results were strange and I had nothing to worry about. Eventually I decided to delay my LEEP to September, and use the time to come to terms with it all.
Cut to now. I had my LEEP 2 weeks ago, under general anaesthesia. I have had no bleeding, no discomfort and no issues.
Today I received a phone call from my GP with my results, she stated that all relevant tissue was taken (a very good sample) and all testing showed NO HPV, NO LSIL CIN-1, NO HSIL CIN-2, NO LESION. She stated my body must have cleared this on its own, and that I will expect a follow up appointment to investigate a possible vaginal lesion, or assess for cure.
I’m obviously relieved, but I also feel sad that I went through all of that stress and worry and hated myself for so many months. I will get a copy of my results tomorrow morning, so I can update you all with any questions!
Had an abnormal pap for the first time in May, colposcopy in August, positive for CIN2. I'm still so confused and lost, it's been happening so fast. I had a LEEP last Monday and I think I've been overdoing it, I've been acting like normal. I'm not even thought about weight restrictions.
I need more people to tell me to sit down and rest, because I'm not good at it on my own. 😭 They gave me antibiotics for concern of PID after reporting back pain last Thursday.
Yesterday, I got my pathology results back and my margins were clear!!!
Such a huge relief.
I didn’t realize just how much stress and tension my body had been holding onto all week while waiting to find out what the results would say.
From my doctor “The margins are clear, meaning the abnormal cells were completely removed during the procedure. We recommend a routine follow-up PAP in 6 months to make sure everything remains clear. That can be done with us or your other provider.”
I’m scheduled for one next month. Anyone whose had a cold knife cone biopsy- tell me about your experience?
What was recovery like?
How long did you take off from work?
My doctor said 1-2 days but that feel crazy to me like I would actually imagine needing one or two weeks?
What was it like for you??
Pretty nervous bc I had a rough time recovering from the multiple biopsies + ECC.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated and bonus points if you can speak on how a CKC impacted your EDS or POTS symptoms. Thanks!
I’m currently 12 days post-LEEP procedure. Have been dealing with the typical catalogue of post procedure symptoms, and while the actual procedure was horrible to go through, it’s been a fine recovery process.
I’m 26 and have no kids, no partner. I’m a teacher who honestly thought, hey i’m with kids all day— I might not even need to have my own, as I’ve always felt pretty fulfilled in that area of my life due to my work.
But when I found out my cells were continuing to progress and that I needed a biopsy in March 2026, I cried non-stop after work. I was worried that things would get worse, and if I end up needing a hysterectomy in the future, maybe I’d never even have the option to choose kids.
Now, 12 days post-procedure, I’m thinking a lot about having kids.
I feel really alone because I don’t know anyone else who’s ever had this experience (LEEP, etc.) and I want to know if anyone else experienced any changes in their desire, or a noticeable increase like myself to have kids after their pre-cervical cancer journey started?
Hi, I've got a question for people who have had a LLETZ with the NHS, as I'm a little confused.
I had a LLETZ for CIN2 on Wednesday, it's now Saturday.
Firstly I want to say I was terrified of having the procedure done but it did not hurt a bit, and the healing so far has also been incredibly smooth, so happy to have gone ahead with it.
I was expecting a letter with the results and a follow up appointment for a smear test in 6 months, but today I logged onto my NHS app and I found an in person gynecology appointment has been booked for me in 17 days from now.
I will receive a letter at some point I'm sure, and I can call on Monday to find out more, but until then I'm wondering: is this standard procedure?
An appointment so early has me slightly worried so I'm wondering if others have had the same experience with the NHS and can advise on what the appointment is for?
Thanks in advance.