HPV and cervical cancer?

Genital HPV types are considered a sexually transmitted infection...because we get them most commonly through vaginal and anal sex. They are 40 genital HPV types. Only high risk HPV types are found in cervical cancers.

I think your age played a part in the why your doctor wanted to do a . colposcopy This procedures just gets a better look at your cervix. A biopsy is usually taken of any place that looks unusual. A colposcope is the magnification device used...it doesn't go in your cervix...it sit outside. A colposcoy is pretty much like a pap maybe a little longer...the biopsy will ouch a little but they are very quick and then the hurt is gone. Sometimes you are a bit uncomfortable afterward...but I have had more than my share...and I just go back to work.

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/colpos...

For me it took about two weeks to get the results back from the biopsy. Some labs are faster. Your doctor may ask you to wait a week or two after your biopsy before you have sex.. Some women do cramp but I didn’t.

No the colposcopy will not remove the bad cells.

A LEEP is a procedure that is often done in the doctor’s office. It is an electrical current that takes the abnormal cells. For me it was six weeks before I could have sex after my LEEP's. I have had two of them. There is some discomfort after them. Usually a Tylenol is all you need. .

http://www.medicinenet.com/loop_electrosurgical_ex...

It is most probable that your boy friend shares your HPV infection. He may have brought the virus into your relationship...or you could have acquired the virus years ago. It sometimes takes many years for cell changes to develop. It seems like your relationship with your boy friend is rock solid. The virus usually doesn't have any effect on the male and there is no HPV test for the male. Most don't know they have it never showing any signs of the virus. .You shares your HPV infection regardless of who brought the infection into your relationship. Men do not have the same health burden as women do due to the infection. You and your partner will not ping pong the virus back and forth. Condoms sometimes help our body fight the virus, condoms forever are not needed…just a few months.

I am going to ask something totally off the wall. I am not sure why your shoulder surgery was done...could be rotar cuff...and sometimes we are given a med called prednisone to reduce the inflammation. Prednisone used for several months can weaken our immune system a bit. This may be why your virus is showing now. I know several surgery and the pain can weaken the immune system also. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection but as we age sometimes it takes us longer to fight the virus. It took me several years I was age 49. Healthy diet, good sleep, reducing stress, exercise, limiting alcohol and condoms do seem to help us fight the infection. Do you have another health issues? I state the prednisone link because with me…I had a doctor think I had rheumatoid arthritis, I have some funky blood work going, I had shoulder surgery and was placed on prednisone for several years…I feel that prednisone did make it more difficult to fight the virus. I have a wonderful Rheumatologist that put the link together for me and I got off the med. Just a random though.

I think your doctor is playing it safe with colposcopy a Pap is a random sampling of the cervix so he just wants a better look. Doctors usually treat the cell changes HPV creates…they can treat the virus. Do you know what your Pap test a few months ago reported…was it ASCUS? LGSIL or High grade cell changes. Getting your pathology report sometimes help us know more about what is going on with our body.

High risk HPV types are found in virtually all cervical cancers but many HPV infections do not persist or progress to cancer.

If your doctor is head GYN at a medical college you are probably in good hands.

This link may tell you more about the history of an HPV infection. Learning more about the virus does seem to helps reduce our fears

http://www.asccp.org/PracticeManagement/HPV/Natura...

I wish you well.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingce...

I'm curious as to why dr wants to check you for a normal pap... I guarantee your bf has HPV also, as almost 100% of us do as some point in our lives. It's a VERY common group of viruses. Colposcopies are for ABnormal pap smears. I had a cervical biopsy before my novasure procedure, and I had no bleeding from it. It just felt like a strong period cramp for a few seconds.

It may be an std, but it's not a disease and the virus usually goes away on its own.

Read this site to answer your other questions... http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/colpos...

you should definitely consult a specialist!