[Question #7038] HPV Diagnosis

61 months ago

Hi! I’m a 20yr old female who got diagnosed with HPV in April-May of this year. This was my first time going to the gynecologist and they did a Pap smear, which came out to be abnormal as I have ASCUS cells in my cervix so they proceeded to schedule me for a colposcopy. The gynecologist then told me that these cell changes in my cervix were caused by HPV, he said that the “good thing” was that I tested positive for the low risk type of HPV and not the high risk. He also told me that overall my cervix looked pretty healthy and he said that he did not believe the cell changes were cancerous which later we found out that they weren’t because of the results of the colposcopy. The last time I went, I asked if the HPV was ever going to go away and he said that it was not. This has in deed left me very anxious for a number of reasons. One of the things I should mention is that I don’t have genital warts, I would’ve basically never been aware of the HPV if I hadn’t gone in. I’ve never been majorly sick, I have a pretty good immune system and I take vitamins everyday. I’m not really sure what my question is but I’m just really scared and anxious that I have it for life. Is there any more information that you could provide to me for some peace of mind? In your opinion do you think I could possibly clear the infection? I’ve searched everywhere on the internet, YouTube videos, Reddit, websites and I just can’t seem to shake off this anxiety. I’ve also currently started a relationship with the guy of my dreams and I think I’m mostly worried about telling him. We have not had any time of sexual relations except for kissing. I’m sorry, I don’t really know what I’m looking for, I just want some peace of mind. Thank you in advance for your help!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

61 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.

You're not alone. At any point in time, almost 50% of people your age have genital HPV that can be detected by DNA testing. It may or may not be responsible for your ASCUS pap result. (The name says it all: ACCUS = "atypical squamous cells of unknown significance", with emphasis on "unknown". Most people with HPV do not have warts: there are over 100 types of HPV that infect the genital area, of which about 15 types are most common; most warts are caused by two of those types (HPV6 and 11). Your immune system health makes no difference in chance of getting HPV, developing warts, or duration of infection. Like you, the vast majority of HPV infections occur with no symptoms at all, and most infected people would have no idea they have HPV unless tested for it. In other words, your situation is very typical and the most common.

Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding here is your doctor's statement that your HPV won't go away. It will -- the large majority of infections are cleared by the immune sysatem. HPV DNA often persists in tissues (which probably is what your doctor was thinking), but that doesn't necessarily mean active infection. Most likely it will be gone within a few months.

Getting and having genital HPV is normal, expected, and mostly unavoidable, unless someone is willing to go without sex for a lifetime. At least 90% of all persons get it and, as noted above, up to half have active infections at any point in time. The main prevention approach is not to attempt to avoid infection entirely, which is impossible, but to avoid infection with those types not likely to cause disease. That's where vaccination comes in. Have you been vaccinated? If so, you are immune to the 9 HPV types that cause 90% of cancers and 90% of genital warts -- meaning that your current infection is not with one of those types. If you have not been vaccinated, speak with your doctor about it. Vaccination won't have any effect on your current infection, but will markedly lower your chance of getting warts or HPV related cancer in the future.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

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HHH, MD---

61 months ago

Thank you for your help!!! I really needed the clarification on what he had said.

When I mentioned my immune system, I was talking in terms of clearing the HPV and if that would help it? I should mention that the time when I had intercourse was a year ago (July 2019) so shouldn’t the infection already be cleared by now? I’m a college student and I’m constantly under stress although I haven’t been lately because it’s summer, do you think that has A major role into why the HPV hasn’t gone away?

I’m also a bit confused on the part where you mentioned that the ASCUS cells may or may not have been cause by HPV. The gynecologist I believe did test me for HPV but he only said that it was the low risk HPV not the high risk.

Another question that I have is, do I have to disclose it to my partner once it’s gone? And is there still a lot of risk even if condom is used ?? I’m not planning to have sex until I know that everything is okay.

You mentioned the vaccines and unfortunately I don’t have them. My mom (a very religious woman) didn’t want me to get them when I was younger so I didn’t. I am planning on getting them though.

Thank you in advance for your help!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

61 months ago

Hello again.

I understood and replied to your question about your immune system and HPV: "Your immune system health makes no difference in chance of getting HPV, developing warts, or duration of infection." Although most infections are cleared within a year, many are detectable longer, even up to two years.

As I said above, the U in ASCUS stands for "unknown". Your HPV may have caused the ASCUS, or may be an entirely separate issue. In any case, ASCUS appears to be harmless and generally clears up on its own.

Most people would want to know if a partner has an active, detectable HPV infection. On the other hand, it is unlikely any harm would come to him if you don't disclose -- so it's a personal decision. If you do tell him about your infection and he's OK with having sex, you should feel free; there is no reason to not have sex just because of HPV.

Too bad about your mom's attitude about HPV, but glad to hear you're planning to be vaccinated.

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61 months ago

So overall, you believe I should be fine in a couple of months with the ASCUS cells and the HPV ?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

61 months ago

Almost all women with ASCUS and with cervical HPV infection stay healthy and well in all respects. When all is said and done, you'll look back on this as an unpleasant inconvenience, nothing more.

That completes the two follow-up exchanges included with each question, but I'll leave the thread open another day or two in case any last questions or issues come up. But do your best to not worry about this. It truly isn't a big deal!

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61 months ago

Thank you for your help Doctor! I’m just really scared and anxious that it’ll progress to something worse or that it’ll never go away.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

61 months ago

Neither of those is likely. Try not to worry about it. 90% of all people get HPV -- most of your student friends are or have been infected. How many of them do you think have had a serious problem with HPV?

That concludes this thread. Thanks for the thanks -- I'm glad to have helped.

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