HPV / Low Grade Dysplasia Question

Is it possible to be diagnosed with Low Grade Dysplasia and NOT be positive for HPV? 

If the HPV test shows you do not have HPV, but your Pap looks abnormal, it is unlikely that you need to worry. The presence of a high-risk type of HPV is necessary for cancer to develop. However, just to be sure, the guidelines recommend that you get a colposcopy.  If you do not have HPV but your Pap results are unclear or inconclusive both the HPV and Pap tests should be repeated in a year.

I don't know that I've had the HPV test.  What is a colposcopy?  This is kind of long and involved, so I'll tell the "Reader's Digest" version!  Starting in January, I thought I had a yeast infection and treated myself accordingly. It didn't clear up, so I visited my family doctor.  She verified yeast and treated me. I went through this routine for a few months (dr treating/me treating myself) before I decided to visit my gynecologist. 

My gynecologist diagnosed bacterial vaginosis and treated me.  After the treatment didn't work, she thought I might have lichen sclerosis and performed a biopsy.  The biopsy didn't confirm her diagnosis, but she felt sure it was lichen sclerosis and treated me accordingly (steroid cream).  I asked her to send me to a specialist and she referred me to a gynecologic-oncologist.

The gynecologic-oncologist thinks it is low-grade dysplasia and performed another biopsy.  I just got the results yesterday -- the biopsy didn't confirm his diagnosis, but he is sure it is low-grade dysplasia and is treating me as such.  

I just found this site and thought I would ask about the correlation between HPV and dysplasia.  I've never been diagnosed with HPV.  This is a tremendous worry for me because I've been married and faithful to the same man for 22 years.  We have been together for 24 years.  Even though I'm sure he has been faithful, the thought of HPV is concerning to me.  Is this wrong?

I would also just like to talk about this because it is so very frustrating for me.  The gynecologic-oncologist prescribed Aldara cream, but now I'm reading about it and getting nervous.  There are times when I could just break down from the confusion and stress of this entire issue.

My main (and ONLY) symptom is vaginal burning.  And burning and burning!  This has disrupted my entire life.  Some days I handle it fine and some days are tough. 

Thanks for listening!....

 

well, more information does help.  Keep in mind I am not a GYN, but lets see if I understand.   A colposcopy is kind of like a magnifying glass to look closer after an abnormal PAP.  This may not apply to you as all this was not from an abnormal PAP.  Correct?  It sounds like your dysplasia may be vaginal rather than cervical and even external as thats where you would apply the Aldara. Correct?  Sounds like VIN (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia ).  80%-90% of all VIN has been shown to have HPV DNA present.    It is possible to be tested for HPV from a scraping.  Being HPV positive does not imply unfaithfullness on anyones part.  It can be dormant for years.  The Aldara can have some side effects, but I would discuss those with the doc that prescribed it.

Is a colposcopy something that can be done in the office?  If so, I may have had that done.  The oncology-gynecologist did something like that.  He used vinegar on the affected area to make it show up better and then used some magnifying piece of equipment to inspect.  I did not have an abnormal PAP, you are correct.  It is vaginal rather than cervical.  I am glad you have given me a name (VIN) -- I'm going to read more on that.  The doctor didn't give me a technical name other than "low-grade dysplasia". 

I am glad you read my veiled concern regarding HPV in my reply!  I read somewhere that the dormancy for HPV is 7-10 years which would be concerning to me.  Can HPV lie dormant longer than that?  If so, then I figure it is something from my youth (or my hubby's youth!) as I was 18 when we married. 

I have read about some of the Aldara side effects.  I decided that the oncology-gynecologist is the doctor and knows what he's doing and that I'm going to use the Aldara without thinking about side effects.  If I have any, I will address them then.  Reading them has only made me worried and I fear that the only other alternative is a resection.  I've used so much other stuff recently that it hardly matters anyway!!!

Thank you again, SO much.  I really have no one I can talk to regarding this... and it's something I really need to talk to someone about! 

HI, I am 47 years old been with the same man for 30 years both faithful we have been together since we were 13. About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with HPV and had to the colposcopy procedure. I had no symptoms just abnormal pap tests . I never understood the HPV thing and if your spouse can give it to you why did they not treat my husband or test him? What keeps it from coming back? I don't know. My paps have been fine so far. I know the stress you are going through.

Good luck and best wishes

 

I was diagnosed with vulvar dysplasia/vin III which is also HPV.  I have been suffering from vaginal burning since Nov. 08, it is worse during and after my periods.  I have been diagnosed with more bacterial infections than I can count.  Once I've finished taking the antibiotics I end up with a yeast infection.  My doctor feels my vaginal burning is possibly due to the HPV.  I can only pray that I'll one day feel normal down there again.  I just wanted to let you know that your not alone

Tootsieroll, I forgot to mention that eventhough I have suffered emotionally having being diagnosed with this disease...I don't blame myself.  Please know this is not a promiscuous (sp) disease it can happen to anyone rather you've had 1 sexual partner or 100, of couse being promiscuous only puts anyone more at risk for anything.  Many woman have been diagnosed with HPV.  I've been with my husband for 13 years wonderful years and he's been my greatest support...Dont try to figure out how you got it that's impossible.  There's no test for men, unfortunetly we as women seem to suffer the most from this disease...Keep your head up and do as I have and educate yourself on this illness...You'll see your not alone...My prays are with you