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Hey Silverstein, just sending a quick hello... I wanted to share some good news: my HPV results finally came back, and they are negative! 👍 After reading those posts about the four targeted tests, I decided to go ahead and get tested for chlamydia too. This Tuesday, I’m heading in for vaginal and cervical swabs, plus a yeast test—and actually, following up on what you mentioned before, I've decided to look into mycoplasma and ureaplasma testing as well... Since I only just learned what those two actually are a few days ago, I'm a bit confused. Do those show up on a standard cervical swab? 😁 I had a cervical and vaginal swab done for bacteria and fungi back when I was four months along, and everything came back clear. But is that same swab used for everything, or do you need a specific test for mycoplasma and ureaplasma? That part isn't quite clicking for me yet...
And honestly, you won't believe this, but while I was at the clinic getting tested for chlamydia yesterday, I ended up getting an HIV test too 🙄... I just wanted to be absolutely certain about everything. I guess I’m becoming a little paranoid ☕ 😛 so now I’m just waiting and hoping for the best (my HIV results come Monday, and the chlamydia results should be ready in about a week)! My boyfriend is going to get everything tested as well since he works out of state! We aren't moving forward without everything being black and white 🤣 Take care, everyone!!!
Sophia Wells72, bravo to you. I'm new to this forum, and every time I read your posts about HPV, I walk away thinking how incredibly informed and well-read you are. You're speaking from actual experience, which is honestly what matters most in a situation like this. It really helps. You’ve definitely convinced me to keep using condoms until every single test comes back clear. To give you my story: back in early 2009, my Pap smear first showed some changes linked to HPV. Since I had been in a long-term relationship for about four and a half years and all my previous tests had been perfectly fine—this was right when I was starting to actually learn about HPV—I felt totally confident that I didn't have it. But the results came back positive for high-risk strains. I didn't have any genital warts, and at the clinic in Pittsburgh where I went, they don't even perform typing there. I was shocked. But after doing some reading, I realized the virus was likely already there; it just "showed up" because my immune system took a hit that year. And since I hadn't had a new partner in the meantime, it wasn't a "new" infection. By the eight-month mark, my results showed Ascus. Looking back, that was partly my own fault because I was having unprotected sex, which obviously made things worse for my subsequent tests and my overall health down there. I had cryotherapy done at ten months, which supposedly handles the HPV or those small lesions on the cervix, but by month twelve, my Pap showed CIN1. Because I had gone through the public health system, my private doctor suggested I might have overreacted and that it might just be Ascus again. However, when I went back for a follow-up at a private clinic this year—after waiting a long time for the public system results—it confirmed the CIN1.
My private gynecologist tried to push cryotherapy on me again, but this time suggesting a much more intensive, deeper approach. I felt skeptical, though, because the first round didn't seem to do much. That's when I decided to switch doctors. My previous doctor had already scheduled the procedure without even performing the necessary vaginal and cervical swabs first; if you have bacteria present, it can trigger inflammation and infections during the cryotherapy itself. I'm mentioning this because it highlights why getting a second opinion is so vital if you have even the slightest doubt. Two heads are better than one, and it felt like my previous doctor was more interested in collecting a fee than actually doing the job right. My new doctor, who I am thrilled with, isn't suggesting more cryotherapy. Instead, she wants me to boost my immunity naturally. She recommended interferon vaginal suppositories, which are available at a local pharmacy here, and I’ve been using them every six hours between periods—sort of like the topical treatments my friend was using. I also started taking colostrum (which is supposed to be one of the best supplements), eating bio-yogurt, honey in the morning, plenty of veggies, fruit, and fish, and cutting out all the junk food. Most importantly, I've been trying to stay calm and keep my stress levels to an absolute minimum, which was hard since my job used to be a constant source of tension 🤷. My new doctor told me quite plainly that we can try everything under the sun and it might not help, or we can do nothing at all and that CIN1 might just clear up on its own once my immune system fights it off. It's very individual. She also insisted that condom use is non-negotiable. A friend of mine was actually told by her doctor that she didn't need to use them while both partners are being treated, so I totally get why your first post resonated with me... 🤷 It seems like there is so much confusion because even doctors can't seem to agree or stay sufficiently informed.
Anyway, after five months of lifestyle changes and a follow-up Pap at nine months, my results are clear! There isn't even a hint of HPV changes anymore! 🤣 I've also repeated the HPV test and am just waiting on those results now. I'm hoping for the same outcome, but if not, I'll just keep fighting—living healthy and using condoms, of course, until everything is officially cleared. I haven't used a condom with my current boyfriend for nearly a year (he doesn't live here, so we weren't together constantly), mostly because I was taking the HPV thing a bit too lightly. But once the CIN diagnoses hit—which was my mistake—condoms became a priority. He's heading in for testing soon for my sake, and I'm praying he comes back clean, though there's a good chance he might have it too.🙄🙄i.
After reading through your posts, I’ve decided to keep using condoms until my Pap smears and HPV tests come back clear. It just feels like the safer bet for now. Basically, I'm sticking to a healthy lifestyle and making sure I stay on top of my regular Pap smears and colposcopy checkups!!! Just one quick question, though—what does their exam actually look like, and what kind of treatment do they usually prescribe if the HPV comes back positive? What has your experience been like?
I hope I wasn't being too long-winded, but hopefully, this helps someone out somewhere 😁