Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
By proceeding further you accept the Terms and Conditions
Suggest Treatment For HPV
I am 50 years old, 5'4" and 120 lbs. In April my pap came back with atypical squamous cells and I tested positive for high risk HPV. I have gone to 2 doctors who disagree with the course of treatment. Is there anyway to know how long I have had this? I started a new relationship 2 years ago with someone with a history of many partners. I had not had sex for about 18 years and had several clean paps prior to this relationship. One doctor said it looks like a very early catch, based on the test and the fact that it was in December that I started having pain during intercourse and random bleeding that he would believe that I had only had the HPV for maybe 6 months and wants to wait and see if it "clears up".
the other doctor wants to start freezing because it hadn't cleared up yet. She claims you can never get rid of HPV only strengthen your body to keep it in check. If I could be assured that at the beginning of the relationship 2 yrs ago is when I got this I would start freezing, if I knew I got this within 6 months I would know the boyfriend cheated and I would wait to see if nutricianal supplements would work. Can you pinpoint the timing of the desease? Can it actually go away? Can it cause weight gain, I have never been more than 112 pounds and now can't lose this unexplained weight gain.
the other doctor wants to start freezing because it hadn't cleared up yet. She claims you can never get rid of HPV only strengthen your body to keep it in check. If I could be assured that at the beginning of the relationship 2 yrs ago is when I got this I would start freezing, if I knew I got this within 6 months I would know the boyfriend cheated and I would wait to see if nutricianal supplements would work. Can you pinpoint the timing of the desease? Can it actually go away? Can it cause weight gain, I have never been more than 112 pounds and now can't lose this unexplained weight gain.
Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
This is most likely an infection from your boyfriend of 2 years.
I am saying this because your previous Pap smears were clear and it is very unlikely for an Hpv infection to persist for 18 or more years, specially with a consistently clean Pap.
Most of the genital high risk Hpv infections clear by themselves.
Only a small fraction does not clear by itself and would produce atypical changes.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that an 18 year old infection would have persisted without inducing any atypical cell changes before now.
If it were an 18 years old infection it would have shown some atypical cell changes in previous Pap smear in your previous tests too.
Therefore I agree with the opinion given by your first doctor i.e to wait and see if it clears by itself. However, i would suggest regular follow up Pap smear.
Though I don't agree that it could be as new as a just 6 months old infection.
That is really hard to tell if it is 6 months old or 2 years old but it is definitely not 18 years old infection
Regards
Hope this helps
This is most likely an infection from your boyfriend of 2 years.
I am saying this because your previous Pap smears were clear and it is very unlikely for an Hpv infection to persist for 18 or more years, specially with a consistently clean Pap.
Most of the genital high risk Hpv infections clear by themselves.
Only a small fraction does not clear by itself and would produce atypical changes.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that an 18 year old infection would have persisted without inducing any atypical cell changes before now.
If it were an 18 years old infection it would have shown some atypical cell changes in previous Pap smear in your previous tests too.
Therefore I agree with the opinion given by your first doctor i.e to wait and see if it clears by itself. However, i would suggest regular follow up Pap smear.
Though I don't agree that it could be as new as a just 6 months old infection.
That is really hard to tell if it is 6 months old or 2 years old but it is definitely not 18 years old infection
Regards
Hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Papillomavirus
Loading Online Doctors....