My doctor called today with the results of my routine exam. My pap came back abnormal, citing "irregular cell development in the cervix." I've been vaccinated for the HPV strains that are sexually transmitted, but there are over 100 types of the virus, ranging from skin warts to cervical cancer. I tested positive as an individual who is at high risk for contracting more serious forms of HPV, so I am scheduled for a more thorough examination in early March.
It's not good news by any means, but I must say I'm a little relieved. I've always known there wasn't something quite right about my reproductive system, and now a questionable discovery has been acknowledged by a physician. Maybe now I can finally be formally diagnosed with something so it can be treated.
If it does turn out to be a more serious form of HPV, it's been caught at an early stage, so I'm confident it won't evolve into anything like cervical cancer. My mother, sister, and aunt have all had abnormal test results, so I guess it's just another average event for my family.
To make this clear, I do NOT have an STD. I'm not contagious, I'm not diseased, and I'm not in any pain. 80% of all women contract at least one form of this virus in their lifetime, but it usually clears up on its own (for example, if you've ever had a wart, you have the virus in your system). Like other members of my family with this, I'm a case the doctor wants to keep an eye on so I can be treated immediately if changes occur.
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