HPV?

[~MummaBear~]

I was kind of worried that i havent had a pap smear in a while and really dont fancy having one anytime soon i know that neither my DH or i have had any kind of sexual contact with anyone else so i thought i might be able to stop freaking out about how long its been since my last pap smear

[LimeSlice]

HPV is NOT the only 'cause' of cervical cancer, therefore its presence, or lack of, in your body is no reason dismiss having a pap smear.

Is there a particular reason you don't want to have a smear done?

[Mildez]

HPV is NOT the only 'cause' of cervical cancer, therefore its presence, or lack of, in your body is no reason dismiss having a pap smear.

Is there a particular reason you don't want to have a smear done?

Totally agree.

I actually haven't heard that HPV can be passed to a baby by its mother. If that were the case or a high risk you would think a C/S maybe the best option for delivery (provided the risk was during a vaginal birth) If certain strains of HPV cause cervical cancer and there is a risk babies can get it you would think then you would be looking at children or young adults been at risk even before they are sexually active.

[willow5]

I actually haven't heard that HPV can be passed to a baby by its mother. If that were the case or a high risk you would think a C/S maybe the best option for delivery (provided the risk was during a vaginal birth) If certain strains of HPV cause cervical cancer and there is a risk babies can get it you would think then you would be looking at children or young adults been at risk even before they are sexually active.

A person can have HPV their whole life with absolutely no symptoms at all, and, not end up with cancer. I think you'd be surprised at the number of people that do have HPV if everyone were to be tested, and from a young age before any sexual contact. You would need to give nearly every birthing mother a c/s section to avoid passing on HPV to their babies. I really don't think that would be a good reason to have major surgery with a risk of complications and a whole lot of other disadvantages for mum and baby.
Not all strains of HPV lead to cancer either.

[Mildez]

A person can have HPV their whole life with absolutely no symptoms at all, and, not end up with cancer. I think you'd be surprised at the number of people that do have HPV if everyone were to be tested, and from a young age before any sexual contact. You would need to give nearly every birthing mother a c/s section to avoid passing on HPV to their babies. I really don't think that would be a good reason to have major surgery with a risk of complications and a whole lot of other disadvantages for mum and baby.
Not all strains of HPV lead to cancer either.

Yes I am aware of how common it is (and thats just the visual ones) as I work as a midwife. The thing is if it were really passed on during vaginal birth and it was one of the strains that causes cancer (I think there are only about 4 nasty strains that are responsible for the cervical cancer which is not many considering how many strains there are) then potentially you would be looking at young girls carry HPV and been at risk of cancer well before they are even at an age where they would be sexually active or able to have a papsmear. I was just saying I hadn't even heard about it been passed on like that although obviously it could be transmitted in the household by other means. If it truely was a risk then there would be some type of testing I would have thought to make sure women whom have a strain that causes cancer would not pass it on during birth (if that was a way you could get it). I certainly haven't heard of really young girls having HPV that affects the genitals before sexual contact.

[Marley&Me]

I had HPV with my first ever pap test. It stayed with me for a few years and I had to get a coloscopy(sp?) and a biopsy done. If it didn't go by the next pap test I was looking at having laser surgery to blast off the abnormal cells, but it just disappeared. I think I got to CIN 2? Not sure.....

Compared to all the crud involved with LTTC, a pap test is nothing!
If you are finding it very uncomfortable, maybe change doctors. I always thought they were fairly uncomfortable until I visited my DH GP clinic and saw a lady doc there and I barely felt it, to the point where i didn't actually think she had opened the thingy they use (not sure what it's called) Just goes to show that there is no reason for unnecessary stretching whilst performing a pap test!

[nothing2lose]

Put it this way, a pap smear is way, way more comfortable than cervical cancer.

You owe it to both yourself and your kids to get it done ASAP!!!

[LimeSlice]

If you are finding it very uncomfortable, maybe change doctors. I always thought they were fairly uncomfortable until I visited my DH GP clinic and saw a lady doc there and I barely felt it, to the point where i didn't actually think she had opened the thingy they use (not sure what it's called) Just goes to show that there is no reason for unnecessary stretching whilst performing a pap test!

Yep, totally!

If you find the pap so physically uncomfortable you are dreading having it done, then find another doctor, they are doing it wrong. You should barely be able to feel it with an experienced and gentle practitioner.
If the thought of someone - anyone - giving you the smear is freaking you out, then go with a girl friend and discuss your fears/modesties with your doctor so you can work through them. Having a smear once every 2 years could be the difference between finding precancerous cells and finding full blown cervical cancer.

[willow5]

Yes I am aware of how common it is (and thats just the visual ones) as I work as a midwife. The thing is if it were really passed on during vaginal birth and it was one of the strains that causes cancer (I think there are only about 4 nasty strains that are responsible for the cervical cancer which is not many considering how many strains there are) then potentially you would be looking at young girls carry HPV and been at risk of cancer well before they are even at an age where they would be sexually active or able to have a papsmear. I was just saying I hadn't even heard about it been passed on like that although obviously it could be transmitted in the household by other means. If it truely was a risk then there would be some type of testing I would have thought to make sure women whom have a strain that causes cancer would not pass it on during birth (if that was a way you could get it). I certainly haven't heard of really young girls having HPV that affects the genitals before sexual contact.

I was reading up about HPV and pregnancy/delivery. The subject of c/s for mothers with HPV did come up. They said because the risk of transmission was low, and that most babies that contract the virus clear it themselves that the risk of the surgery to try to prevent it didn't outweigh the benefits. Although some OBs disagreed. This was even when the strain was one that can lead to cancer.
Apparently your normal pap test will alert the doctor to investigate for further HPV.

I was reading up when pg with my 3rd because a friends daughter developed genital warts when she was only 4 Pretty rare. She freaked thinking how she'd contracted warts, but the doctor said it was most likely through delivery. (There were no other signs physical, psychological or emotional pointing to any abuse.) My friend had never had any symptoms so didn't know she had it.

[~MummaBear~]

Thanks guys. I did actually plan ion having the smear done i was just worried that they might find something... stupid reason not to do it i know LOL I have had 5 pregnancies in the last 7 years so you can imagine there hasnt really been all that much time that i can have a smear done and with 4 small kids i just dont really think about "me" all that much. I will be getting it done, i know it is not painful and it id kinds uncomfortable to have some one do it but i know that it wouldnt be as bad as cervical cancer. I guess i just wanted to hear that my chances of finding anything abnormal would be very small iykwim

[willow5]

HPV aside OP, it's probably a good idea to have the smear. Like Limeslice said, HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer. They are not pleasant but better that than something much worse.