In past have tested positive for high risk hpv & had abnormal Pap smears indicating cin1/2. Most recent tests were normal pap & hpv neg. However, was recently diagnosed w/ bacterial vaginosis (bv). (End of Feb) I have read online that bv can cause hpv infections to reactivate & cause cin. Is this accurate? This info made me a little nervous, as I think that I have had the bv infection for awhile before starting on antibiotics & I don’t think that they are clearing the infection. Would multiple bv infections be cause for concern with hpv reoccurring? Also had it back in May but was not treated due to fact was trying to get pregnant. (Don’t know if it went away or if had it entire time). If it does how fast could it progress to cancer? I am now getting tested once per year. Is that enough? Also, warning on the antibiotic for the bv states that in mice & rats longterm use has been linked to cancer. Would this cause the hpv to reactivate? 

I have 3 children & also had a miscarriage at 6 weeks. Would this cause hpv to reoccur? Some sites indicate that multiple births increase cervical cancer risk.

I bled for three days after last Pap smear (at 6 week follow up appt After 3^rdpregnant):  dr said it would not be due to hpv or cervical cancer as pap was normal & hpv test was negative. Is she correct that hpv/cervical cancer would not be cause for bleeding? She said no matter what symptoms I have that may indicate cervical cancer that the hpv test & Pap smear prove no hpv/cancer present

Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your question.  I’ll be glad to comment.  Your history of having HPV and CIN 1/2 is characteristic of the natural history of HPV.  Please remember that HPV is exceptionally common and that well over 80% of unvaccinated women will have HPV infections at some time but that only 1 or 2% of those will progress to cancer and that nearly all of those cancers can be detected early and treated early with regular check-ups.    In nearly all persons in your situation the infection and related PAP smear changes will resolve without therapy.  In a minority of women there may be subsequent transient reactivations characterized by transient repeat detection of HPV but the infection does not typically progress. 

On occasion the inflammation associated with BV or other genital tract infections can be associated with repeat detection of HPV but this may be coincidence more than anything else.  BV does have a tendency to recur in some women as well. 

If HPV was going to progress to cancer (remember, this occurs in only 1-2% of women with HPV, it typically does so slowly, taking years or even decades to progress.  Thus annual re-checks and PAP smears are fine. 

I would not worry that your miscarriage or multiple pregnancies putting you at risk for cancer.  As long as you have your regular GYN check-ups as recommended by your own doctors, you should be fine. 

Similarly, I would not worry about any risks associated with the medications you took for your BV. 

I agree with your doctor that that hpv/cervical cancer would not be cause for bleeding? She said no matter what symptoms I have that may indicate cervical cancer that the hpv test & Pap smear prove no hpv/cancer present

I hope that this information is helpful. EWH

On occasion a procedure or antibiotics can lead to or predisposed to BV or other disruptions in normal flora and in this way cause discharge and be recognized as BV.

I should add that a single PAP smear is not perfect for detecting HPV-related changes but when carried out at regular, recommended intervals, their reliability increases dramatically.  In general the HPV tests are more sensitive than a single PAP smear.  Your combination of tests indicate that you need not worry about HPV at t his time. 

I hope what i just said above did not confuse you, it IS complicated. The combination of test results that you have is better than a single PAP smear.  I really would not be concerned at this time.  EWH