I want to give you ladies some hope!
I wanted to share some hope with you all, because I can see how many people are really struggling with anxiety over this.
Last year at 34, I was diagnosed with High Risk HPV strains 16 and 18, along with high grade irregular cells. I was scheduled for a colposcopy shortly after. During the procedure, nothing was visible after the solution was applied, so my doctor gave me the choice to monitor it or move forward with a LEEP. Given my age and the specific strains I had, my gyno recommended the LEEP.
The procedure itself was uncomfortable, but honestly the numbing injection was the hardest part. Recovery went smoothly overall, just some discomfort and bleeding for a bit.
Getting my results was a confusing process. During a phone appointment I was only told I was HPV positive, which I already knew. It wasn’t until months later at a completely unrelated GP visit that I learned the LEEP tissue had come back as CIN 3 with positive margins.
I completely fell apart when I heard that. I had spent most of my 20s making poor choices and had finally gotten my life together. I was in this subreddit constantly, reading everything and always landing on the worst possible outcome. I really want to have a child someday, and I was terrified I would end up needing a hysterectomy.
I started taking zinc, folic acid with B12, AHCC, K2 + D3 and Omega supplements. This was only about six weeks before my next colposcopy, so I honestly am not sure how much of a role they played.
A few things worth noting about my lifestyle: I have been sober for four years, I weight train regularly, and I eat well most of the time following a general 80/20 approach. I no longer smoke cigarettes, though I do still vape, which I know I need to address.
At my follow up appointment, there were still no visible changes. I felt cautiously hopeful but was trying not to get ahead of myself after what happened before.
Yesterday I got the news that my HPV has cleared with no more irregularities. The relief I feel is hard to put into words. I genuinely thought I was heading toward a really scary outcome.
I am sharing this for everyone who is spiraling and expecting the worst, because I was right there with you. Staying informed is important, but please try to hold onto hope too. Healing is absolutely possible, and I am wishing that for every single one of you.