Do I need a colposcopy if I have high risk HPV?

Colposcopy. If you have certain symptoms that could mean cancer, if your Pap test shows abnormal cells, or if your HPV test is positive, you will most likely need to have a test called colposcopy.

Do I need a colposcopy if I have HPV?

If you test positive for HPV 16/18, you will need to have a colposcopy. If you test positive for HPV (but did not have genotyping performed or had genotyping and tested negative for 16/18), you will likely have a colposcopy.

How worried should be if I got a positive HPV high risk result?

A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that's linked to cervical cancer. It doesn't mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it's a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future.

What do I do if I test positive for high risk HPV?

If you got a positive HPV test and your Pap test was abnormal, your doctor will probably follow up with a colposcopy. Try to see a physician who specializes in this procedure. During a colposcopy, your doctor will look more closely at the cervix, vagina or vulva with a special microscope called a colposcope.

How often does high risk HPV turn into cervical cancer?

When the body's immune system can't get rid of an HPV infection with oncogenic HPV types, it can linger over time and turn normal cells into abnormal cells and then cancer. About 10% of women with HPV infection on their cervix will develop long-lasting HPV infections that put them at risk for cervical cancer.

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How long does it take to get cancer from high-risk HPV?

Research has found that it can take 10 to 20 years, or even longer, for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into a cancerous tumor. Among women whose cervical cells are infected with high-risk HPV, several factors increase the chance that the infection will be long lasting and lead to precancerous cervical cells.

Will I have high-risk HPV forever?

In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

What kills high risk HPV?

Options include freezing (cryosurgery), laser, surgical removal, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization.

How do I get rid of chronic high risk HPV?

Why does my HPV test say high risk?

Higher risk: Your test results show either HPV infection with types 16 and/or 18, high grade cell changes on your cervix, or persistent infection with one of the other high-risk HPV types (not 16/18). It is important that you have a further follow-up because you may be at a high risk of developing cervical cancer.

Does high risk HPV cause symptoms?

High-risk HPV doesn't have symptoms

Unfortunately, most people who have a high-risk type of HPV will never show any signs of the infection until it's already caused serious health problems. That's why regular checkups are so important — testing is the only way to know for sure if you're at risk for cancer from HPV.

Does high risk HPV always cause cell changes?

High risk HPV can cause cell changes in the cervix, which over time can develop into cancer. Not all cell changes will develop into cancer but it's important to monitor any changes and give treatment if necessary. No HPV found - means you don't have high risk HPV.

When do doctors recommend colposcopy?

Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if a Pap test or pelvic exam revealed abnormalities. Colposcopy can be used to diagnose: Genital warts. Inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)

Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?

Try not to worry

If you're referred for a colposcopy after an abnormal cervical screening test, you shouldn't assume you have cervical cancer. Less than 1 in 1,000 women referred for a colposcopy are found to have cervical cancer that requires immediate treatment.

Why would a doctor recommend a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is used to find cancerous cells or abnormal cells that can become cancerous in the cervix, vagina, or vulva. These abnormal cells are sometimes called “precancerous tissue.” A colposcopy also looks for other health conditions, such as genital warts or noncancerous growths called polyps.

What happens if high risk HPV doesn't clear?

Infection with HPV is very common. In most people, the body is able to clear the infection on its own. But sometimes, the infection doesn't go away. Chronic, or long-lasting infection, especially when it's caused by certain high-risk HPV types, can cause cancer over time.

How long does high risk HPV persist?

For 90 percent of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within two years. Only a small number of women who have one of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer will ever actually develop the disease.

Why won't my high risk HPV go away?

Around 90% of HPV infections clear within 2 years. For a small number of women and people with a cervix, their immune system will not be able to get rid of HPV. This is called a persistent infection. A persistent HPV infection causes the cells of the cervix to change.

Can you boost your immune system to fight HPV?

To help you fight HPV and stay healthy, you can take steps to build your immune system by quitting smoking, decreasing your stress level, and altering your diet. Your doctor may also recommend treatment for your specific symptoms, as well as support resources. Keep in mind that HPV is very common and you are not alone.

Should I get a hysterectomy if I have HPV?

Unfortunately, once you have been infected with HPV, there is no treatment that can cure it or eliminate the virus from your system. A hysterectomy removes the cervix, which means that the risk of developing cervical cancer because of persistent HPV infection will essentially be eliminated.

Does HPV vaccine help if already infected?

Even if you already have one strain of HPV , you could still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don't yet have. However, none of the vaccines can treat an existing HPV infection. The vaccines protect you only from specific strains of HPV you haven't been exposed to already.

Can you have high risk HPV and not get cancer?

Myth: If you have HPV, you will probably get cervical cancer. Fact: HPV is very common. But cervical cancer is not. The truth is that having HPV does not mean you have or will get cervical cancer.

What are signs of cervical cancer from HPV?

Do you get results immediately after a colposcopy?

It may take 4 to 8 weeks to get colposcopy results. Your colposcopist usually sends a letter with your results. If your results take longer than this, you can call the hospital or your colposcopist to check on them.