Hello,
I was diagnosed w/ the high risk HPV type last year (not the wart
kind, but the kind that causes dysplasia and cervical cancer). Anyways,
at that time the dysplasia was always very mild and I've simply been
monitoring it w/ paps every 3 months and colposcopies. I even
tried this alternative treatment of Vitamin E/aloe called Beta Mannan
for three months. However, my condition has now gotten worse, and the
dysplasia is now mild to moderate. My doctor recommended the
LEEP, but I'm concerned to have that done because I don't have children yet, and I have heard that this procedure can cause fertility problems later. I guess my biggest fear is to have it done and
then have the dysplasia come back, resulting in additional LEEP's,
which would cause more damage to the cervix. I am wondering if anyone
here has had the LEEP done, and if dysplasia has reoccured for you. I don't really understand why the dysplasia WOULDN'T come back, as
the LEEP simply removes the cells, but it doesn't kill the virus, so
why wouldn't dyplasia reoccur????

IN addition, does anyone have any information about alternative treatments for dysplasia?? I have read that folic acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C supplements work, but I am not sure what is a healthy dose. I have also heard of something called Indoplex (which is Indo-Carbitol), but I'm not sure exactly what that is or what it does at this point. I have to do further research.

Thanks for any info. anyone can give me!!!! I'm new to this board and hope to feel a little better about this HPV stuff....

I have been watching your post with interest today, waiting for someone with more knowledge to reply as I have also wondered how destroying the cells would be effective as the virus would still be present in the body.

I had pre-cancerous cells removed in 2000 and it now looks like they may have returned although I have not changed sexual partners. The treatment I had to remove the cells was a freezing treatment, which I was told was almost 100% effective.

Hope you get some helpful replies.

Yes, I, too have been waiting for some replies. Thanks for yours! I guess that my biggest concern with having the LEEP done is the fertility issues. I want children down the road, and I am very hesitant to mess with that area. I guess I just don't know if I'm overreacting or if there is valid cause for concern. I'm trying to find the success rate for LEEP, and I've found several websites saying it's 90-95% while others have said it's 72.2 % to 85%. So I don't know which figure is correct. My doctor didn't know for sure, which I found odd, as she is normally very knowledgeable.

Hi there, I also have high risk HPV, had a LSIL (low grade dysplasia) pap in december 2003, colposcopy showed it was in fact HSIL (high grade dysplasia) and so i had a LEEP done for it in febuary 2004. Everything was removed succesfully and i now have to go to follow up paps every 3 months just to check.

Let me try to answer some of your questions. First of all, about why the dysplasia can or cannot return. That is confusing and i was wondering the same thing, but this is how my doctor explained it to me. The HPV virus stays in your body for life, but at different times, it will be active or dormant. So whether the dysplasia returns depends on if the virus is active or "alsleep" at a certain in your life. Also, it depends on how successfully your body fights the HPV. Your body cannot kill it, but if your immune system is strong, it can weaken it and make the dysplasia less likely to return. So the goal is to strengthen your immune system. However, i am under the impression that it would be pretty unlikely that the dysplasia would never ever return again, especially if you are young. I am not exactly sure what the chances of it never coming back are, but you cannot assume that you are done with it for good. That is why you have to keep monitoring this the rest of your life, with regular paps, because if it does return at some point, you want to treat it again while it is still dysplasia and has not progressed to cancer!

About the LEEP. Like i said, i had a LEEP done to treat severe dysplasia. My fiance and I were also very worried about fertility because i am only 22 and want to have children. According to my doctor, having one LEEP done should really not pose a great risk for fertility. It is true that having many LEEPs or procedures on the cervix can wear it out, but if your dysplasia returns, what other choice do you have? But take it one step at a time. I would say yes you must treat this! Your life is most important, and it would be very imprudent to let this just be, you have to be aggressive with these things. Especially because you have HPV, the dysplasia will not just go away on its own. You do not want to let it progress to cancer eventually. If your doc recommends a LEEP, she knows you need to have the cells removed. As far as success, LEEP is indeed supposed to be very successful. I think the different % rates you have seen depend on whether you have high grade or low grade dysplasia, but over all, it is very successful and for me, it was not painful or difficult at all. I am very glad i did the LEEP and am convinced it was the right choice. It was not even an issue for me because i realized that if i dont do it, i will be playing with my health by not removing the cells, and then letting it progress to a situation where later down the road i would need a hysterechtomy to treat me and then ruining any chances at having children.

As far as things you can do yourself, there are some things you can defintely do to try and keep the dysplasia from coming back. Like i said before, the goal is to strengthen the immune system. Stop smoking if you do, as smoking has been directly linked to cervical cancer. I take vitamin supplements including folic acid (400 mcg), vitamin E (400 IU), beta carotene (15mg). I got those numbers from a health book, but you can check with your doc if that is reasonable. Eat a diet rich in veggies, fruits, and grains, and limit red meat and fried foods. Some studies have shown the pill migth play a role in dysplasia, but i think its pretty controversial. I chose to stop taking it, but ask your doc what she thinks too.

I hope this helps! feel free to ask any more questions you have!
Good luck :)
Alex

alex- i just read your post and i couldnt agree more. one suggestion i would make to the original poster- if you are with the same guy- use condoms and get off the pill. that may help prevent recurrence as well. and - take vitamins and stop smoking! just like alex said.

Well, I know all about those every 3 month visits. At one point I was at the Gyno every week. Every time I go to my Gyno all the nurses know my name, that's how bad mine was. I was 19 when I first had an abnormal pap. I had high grade dysplasia. I had several pap smears and then a colposcopy. My Dr. decided to freeze my cells. My next 2 paps were fine and then my third showed high grade changes again. I started the procedure over again with paps and colposcopy. This time they decided a cone biopsy (cold knife). This doesn't affect your fertility in most cases. This actually removes the part of your cervix that is infected. It is an out patient surgery and really had no side affects. I went to a movie the same night I had mine done. With the freezing I had a lot of pressure and had to wear a pad for 6 weeks because the water leaks. The biopsy I had to wear a pad for about a week and it wasn't any pain except when I woke up from surgery. You can tell your DR. what you want done--do some research and make your own suggestion!!

Thanks for everyone's replies. I am with and have been with the same guy for almost 2 years, and unfortunately, I believe he gave it to me. It's kind-of ironic because he's such a great guy, and it's like, you expect to get this type of thing from someone who is not so nice, someone who is irresponsible and sleazy, if that makes sense. Anyways, I don't smoke and never have, but why does using condoms help if he gave it to me??? I am considering going off the pill, actually. I am meeting with a naturopathic doctor next week and plan on discussing this, as my dysplasia has progressed from "atypia" (which I'm not sure what that means) to LSIL/CIN-1. Also, about the cold knife procedure not affecting fertility...I believe my doctor told me that that procedure is used for more advanced/severe dysplasia, and that it also does affect fertility. Any procedure that takes out a piece of your cervix poses a risk to fertility, as we need our wonderful cervixes to both carry the baby and the sperm need to pass through the cervix. That's why scarring from the procedures can make getting pregnant more difficult, and if the spermies DO make it through, if the cervix has been cut and not healed properly from one of the procedures, then we may have a harder time actually carrying a pregnancy to term, and it may cause miscarriage. I believe if you have any procedure such as this, if you DO get pregnant after, I think you'd need to be monitored more closely during pregnancy.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I am with and have been with the same guy for almost 2 years, and unfortunately, I believe he gave it to me. It's kind-of ironic because he's such a great guy, and it's like, you expect to get this type of thing from someone who is not so nice, someone who is irresponsible and sleazy, if that makes sense. Anyways, I don't smoke and never have, but why does using condoms help if he gave it to me??? I am considering going off the pill, actually. I am meeting with a naturopathic doctor next week and plan on discussing this, as my dysplasia has progressed from "atypia" (which I'm not sure what that means) to LSIL/CIN-1. Also, about the cold knife procedure not affecting fertility...I believe my doctor told me that that procedure is used for more advanced/severe dysplasia, and that it also does affect fertility. Any procedure that takes out a piece of your cervix poses a risk to fertility, as we need our wonderful cervixes to both carry the baby and the sperm need to pass through the cervix. That's why scarring from the procedures can make getting pregnant more difficult, and if the spermies DO make it through, if the cervix has been cut and not healed properly from one of the procedures, then we may have a harder time actually carrying a pregnancy to term, and it may cause miscarriage. I believe if you have any procedure such as this, if you DO get pregnant after, I think you'd need to be monitored more closely during pregnancy.


My boyfriend smokes on a regular basic... If we have unprotected sex can he make the dysplasia come again and make it worst?

Hi, I have heard contradicting things about whether using condoms if you are only with one partner will help prevent the reccurence of dysplasia. However, the last word I heard was what my doctor told me. She said that if you got the HPV from your monogamous partner, using condoms will not make a difference because he is carrying the same strain of the HPV virus that is already in you. Therefore, she said, you cannot get reinfected with the same strain and being re-exposed to it will not make a difference. However, being exposed to another strain of HPV from another partner for example can have an effect on your dysplasia returning. Again, i do want to point out i have heard and read different things on this, but this is what my doctor told me when i asked her about it. Take care, Alex :)

Hi, I have heard contradicting things about whether using condoms if you are only with one partner will help prevent the reccurence of dysplasia. However, the last word I heard was what my doctor told me. She said that if you got the HPV from your monogamous partner, using condoms will not make a difference because he is carrying the same strain of the HPV virus that is already in you. Therefore, she said, you cannot get reinfected with the same strain and being re-exposed to it will not make a difference. However, being exposed to another strain of HPV from another partner for example can have an effect on your dysplasia returning. Again, i do want to point out i have heard and read different things on this, but this is what my doctor told me when i asked her about it. Take care, Alex :)

So, if he smokes it really wouldn't hurt or make the dysplasa re-appear again? We always use condoms since I am not on the pill right now although I've heard that being on the pill makes it (the dysplasia) come again also. I feel as though I'm domed either way with this whole Dysplasia thing. Mine has only been the Mild stage and my doctor is monitoring it and I pray and hope it just goes away. But being that my boyfriend smokes and I'm sure he has been exposed to it will it make my dypslaisa worst??

Thanks for everyone's replies. I am with and have been with the same guy for almost 2 years, and unfortunately, I believe he gave it to me. It's kind-of ironic because he's such a great guy, and it's like, you expect to get this type of thing from someone who is not so nice, someone who is irresponsible and sleazy, if that makes sense. Anyways, I don't smoke and never have, but why does using condoms help if he gave it to me??? I am considering going off the pill, actually. I am meeting with a naturopathic doctor next week and plan on discussing this, as my dysplasia has progressed from "atypia" (which I'm not sure what that means) to LSIL/CIN-1. Also, about the cold knife procedure not affecting fertility...I believe my doctor told me that that procedure is used for more advanced/severe dysplasia, and that it also does affect fertility. Any procedure that takes out a piece of your cervix poses a risk to fertility, as we need our wonderful cervixes to both carry the baby and the sperm need to pass through the cervix. That's why scarring from the procedures can make getting pregnant more difficult, and if the spermies DO make it through, if the cervix has been cut and not healed properly from one of the procedures, then we may have a harder time actually carrying a pregnancy to term, and it may cause miscarriage. I believe if you have any procedure such as this, if you DO get pregnant after, I think you'd need to be monitored more closely during pregnancy.


I've read about the cone operation thing making pregnancy more difficult but as far as the other procedures... Loop and cryosurgery I hear that if it is used more than once it can have an affect of having kids but I also hear that the doctor can stitch up the cervics as well... Did anyone hear differently?

So, if he smokes it really wouldn't hurt or make the dysplasa re-appear again? We always use condoms since I am not on the pill right now although I've heard that being on the pill makes it (the dysplasia) come again also. I feel as though I'm domed either way with this whole Dysplasia thing. Mine has only been the Mild stage and my doctor is monitoring it and I pray and hope it just goes away. But being that my boyfriend smokes and I'm sure he has been exposed to it will it make my dypslaisa worst??

A lot of factors can determine if your dysplasia will get worse or not. The biggest thing is if you have HPV or not. If you have HPV, the dysplasia will almost certainly not go away on its own and may likely have to be removed by a procedure, whether LEEP, cone etc. But these procedures have a high success rate, you just have to follow up and monitor it through your life regularly to make sure that if it does come back again, you can remove it again. If you dont have HPV, it is very possible that your dysplasia, esp since it is mild, can go away on its own. About the effect of second hand smoke from your boyfriend, I would assume that since smoking yourself can make dysplasia worse, that second hand smoke could also make it worse, especially if youre constantly exposed to it in the house or something. But ask your doc about that. Dysplasia is scary, mine was moderate/severe and i had it removed with LEEP and it was successful. You are not doomed so long as you always follow it closely so that you dont let it progress to something further. If you keep all your gyno apointments to a T, you can be one step ahead of the game and treat it accordingly.

I've read about the cone operation thing making pregnancy more difficult but as far as the other procedures... Loop and cryosurgery I hear that if it is used more than once it can have an affect of having kids but I also hear that the doctor can stitch up the cervics as well... Did anyone hear differently?

That is what my doctor has told me as well. Having LEEP (the loop one) once should not have an effect on your fertility, but repeated procedures can wear out the cervix and make it weak. I am less familiar with cone since i myself had the LEEP, but since cone is more invasive than LEEP, i think indeed that its a bit more destructive to the cervix. But from what ive read, it is still very possible to have children after cone. I think its really after repeated proceedures if necessary that it starts getting more difficult. Yes there is a procedure doctors can do where they put a stich on the opening (i think) of your cervix and make it stronger. Hope that helps!

A lot of factors can determine if your dysplasia will get worse or not. The biggest thing is if you have HPV or not. If you have HPV, the dysplasia will almost certainly not go away on its own and may likely have to be removed by a procedure, whether LEEP, cone etc. But these procedures have a high success rate, you just have to follow up and monitor it through your life regularly to make sure that if it does come back again, you can remove it again. If you dont have HPV, it is very possible that your dysplasia, esp since it is mild, can go away on its own. About the effect of second hand smoke from your boyfriend, I would assume that since smoking yourself can make dysplasia worse, that second hand smoke could also make it worse, especially if youre constantly exposed to it in the house or something. But ask your doc about that. Dysplasia is scary, mine was moderate/severe and i had it removed with LEEP and it was successful. You are not doomed so long as you always follow it closely so that you dont let it progress to something further. If you keep all your gyno apointments to a T, you can be one step ahead of the game and treat it accordingly.

Thanks for responding to my questions. Although I hear that even if one has HPV and it's a CIN 1 it can go away on it's own. That's why doctors want to do the "Wait and see" procedure. I will talk to my doctor about the second hand smoke situation. My doctor didn't tell me ANYTHING about what to avoid while having this condition. I don't know what strain I even have but most likely it's probably the High-risk type because I know I've been exposed to this for three years now but just finding out about it.

Hello, To your question if dyslasia comes back, I am 33 years old and today I Go have the leep procedure done after 14 years. I had the same thing when i was 18 years old. I am engaged to a 44 year old man, and I dont know if he is the cause of this happening again, but I know that i was married for 9 years and it never reaccured. But I am very scared, but I have to be strong, I was told after the first time haveing a leep, that it wouldnt come back, well it has. It is hard to deal with the first time, but being 33 and having to go through it again, is worse. No sex is safe from any type of virus. I dont know how many times this can come back, but mine did after 14 years, and I guess I will find out today whats going on, They tried to biopsy me a month ago but was unable to get to where the infected cells are at, so they are doing the leep today at 3:30. I am scared, but not knowing is worse. I have a 14 year old daughter and I know if I dont take care of me, who will take care of her. So all women, God knows what we can take and what we cant, he will never put more on us than we can handle, I have faith that god can help all of us, and he will, we just have to believe that. My prayers and thoughts are with each women who has had to deal with dysplasia, and I hope all of you keep your strength up and know we didnt do anything wrong to deserve this, its part of life.
Ill keep you informed of how my leep went in a few weeks, thanks

I think it was wrong of your doctor to say that after having a LEEP done your dysplasia would never come back - a LEEP isn't the end-all-cure for dysplasia. What my doctor has let me know, and all the research I've done on this since my biopsy and LEEP is that I have to doubly make sure to get my pap done regularly for the rest of my life because I've had to go through this, and reoccurence is always a possibility. I'm going to have another biopsy and possibly another LEEP done becuase my doctor thinks she missed the area that she was supposed to be removing. It's depressing, yes, and I am SICK of going to the doctor, but there are so many worse things to go through. My mom has stage IV lung cancer, so I've seen what could be worse, so I feel guilty saying I'm sick of doctors ;). I hope your LEEP went well and they got it all out! :)

this is sort off the subject... i apologize.

last wednesday i had cryo-surgery for moderate dysplasia and i'm having the normal watery discharge, a little cramping, etc... however, starting last night i have this pain on my lower right side abdomen almost where my hip and leg meet, in a sense. It's not my appendix because I had that taken out years ago. Is this pain normal? is it just part of the healing process?

Thanks so much!!

I don't know if its the same thing, but I mentioned to my doctor that I would get a weird "pinching" ache off to my right side - same place, hip meets leg - and she said it was probably just the healing process. But yours could be totally different as I had a LEEP done, not your procedure. I also had (and still have) really annoying discharge, greenish (I know, eww) and smelly (double eww) and I had my LEEP done over 3 weeks ago. She took a culture of the dishcharge last week to make sure it was ok, and called me this morning to say there was nothing to it - just normal healing discharge, which hopefully should end soon.

BUt I would ask your doctor - I was a little worried about my pangs, so that's what I did - can't hurt to give them a quick call. :wave:

I had a leap done around 7 yrs. ago.
i went in for a pap and it came back mild dysplasia and I needed to come in for a biopsy where they cut some of the tissue and sent it off to get it looked at. Well, it took two months for me to come in as I kept on having my period ( which alone is odd for me considering at the time I had one every other month). When i went back for that and the test came back it was already severe. She had me come in asap to do the leap. I was awake through it she gave me lidocane. I watch her use the laser and cut the pieces out ( i was going to school to become anurse so I found it interesting) for cervix to be so little i was shocked at how much she was cutting out. She did say she already saw cancer cells ( although it wasn't told by a pathologist) and she couldn't get it all but burned around it since it was an odd shape it was irregular and she had never seen it like that before. Which made me nervous. She then asked em if i wanted to go ahead and have a hysterectomy right then Of course I said no. She said if i had anymore kids i would need a cyrclage.. I already had one but did want another one. I did get pregnet and did miscarry but not from that and got pregnet again and the drs. didn't feel as though i needed a circlage and i was nervous the entire time. i had moved to another state and under alot of stress and did go into premature labor and the drs and nurses thought i would have her that night if not the next day. they gave me shots to stop it and the next thing i knew she was a week late. i was begging the drs. to induce..
They said it has everything to do with your inner cervix and alot of times it will scar and hold and if not they will do a cyrclage by stitching it.
My point is don't delay having the leap because of that there is procedures out there to prevent miscarrying and they will be on watch for your cervix from my understanding though they won't do it until you are around 3 months pregnet which is really the best time.
Even though it seems like yours isn't as aggressive as mine was it could turn into that and before you know it you could get cancer and then it could spread or worse you can die and really won't have kids. with a leap you still can have kids. i know alot of woman who had leaps and alot who had to have cyrclages and they carried just fine and did great.

P.S.
the dr. also said she couldn't get all of my cancer/dysplasia and burned all around it to prevent spreading. Which i don't get. Now i am going to a surgeon on the 28th for a biopsy to see if i have lymphoma.(dr. seems to think i do) I am not saying this did or didn't play a part in it. I dont' even know if i have it yet. But please this is also a very serious matter if your dr. says leap please do it...

good luck to all of you,
wish

I don't know if its the same thing, but I mentioned to my doctor that I would get a weird "pinching" ache off to my right side - same place, hip meets leg - and she said it was probably just the healing process. But yours could be totally different as I had a LEEP done, not your procedure. I also had (and still have) really annoying discharge, greenish (I know, eww) and smelly (double eww) and I had my LEEP done over 3 weeks ago. She took a culture of the dishcharge last week to make sure it was ok, and called me this morning to say there was nothing to it - just normal healing discharge, which hopefully should end soon.

BUt I would ask your doctor - I was a little worried about my pangs, so that's what I did - can't hurt to give them a quick call. :wave:

thanks for the response! i really appreciate it.
and good luck to you! ;)

I've been with my partner for a year now and he's a smoker and has had multiple partners before me..... we are in a monogamous relationship. i just had my cryo-surgery for moderate dysplasia... will those aspects of my partner affect me again and again? meaning, the dysplasia will more than likely come back due to his smoking and multiple partners?

thanks for any info!

Hi there, someone else had a question about the smoking too. Since it is known that smoking yourself can worsen dysplasia, i would assume that second hand smoke would be harmful too. But this is something your doctor would know better. As far as the multiple partners thing, if you are now monogamous partners, and you have HPV that you got from him, then according to my doc, you being exposed to it would not matter, because you already have that strain of the virus in you, for life. But since he had multiple partners before, if for some reason he would be carrying the HPV virus and it is not the strain that infected you, then you could get infected with that strain, potentially worsening your dysplasia. Hope this helps! Good luck, Alex :)

Wow! I haven't been here in a while, so i'm surprised at all the posts to my original message. Anyways, despite my doctor's recommendation, I decided not to have the LEEP done, and I went to a naturopathic doctor instead. My dyplasia had previously worsened from atypia to mild-moderate, so that's why the ob/gym recommended the LEEP. I've only been following the regimen for about a month, but my biopsies (she did 4 this time) came back better than the last time, so it was great to know that I'm making progress and at this point at least, I don't need the leep. Just thought I'd share in case anyone feels pressured into getting the LEEP or other invasive procedures done; there just may be something to alternative treatments, if your dysplasia is mild and you have a some time to experiment during the "3 month waiting period" for the next follow-up pap/colpo. So I'm safe for now, but not exactly out of the woods.

Wish,
Did you get pregnant while you had cancer?

Just would like to give my story...

In 1996 (25 years old) I was diagnosed with HPV and Moderate Cervical Dysplasia. They tried freezing the cells and I later had an abnormal pap again so it didn't work. Then, they did a LEEP and every year since then I have been HPV free (meaning they don't even detect it anymore) and normal cells.

I feel relieved each year. In 1999 I got pregnant (very easily) and was nervous about my cervix. Doctors monitored me closely to make sure my cervix was strong and wasn't in need of a cerclage. Everything went perfect and I delivered 2 days late.

I got pregnant again in 2001 and Dr. said since my cervix proved it held up, I was no longer at any risk and was treated like anyone else prenatally. I delivered that baby 2 days late also!

So, now I have 2 healthy girls who are the apple of my eye. I guess it all depends on how much scaring there is on the cervix itself. They can look at it closely and get an idea on whether you'd have problems or not.

Just would like to give my story...

In 1996 (25 years old) I was diagnosed with HPV and Moderate Cervical Dysplasia. They tried freezing the cells and I later had an abnormal pap again so it didn't work. Then, they did a LEEP and every year since then I have been HPV free (meaning they don't even detect it anymore) and normal cells.

I feel relieved each year. In 1999 I got pregnant (very easily) and was nervous about my cervix. Doctors monitored me closely to make sure my cervix was strong and wasn't in need of a cerclage. Everything went perfect and I delivered 2 days late.

I got pregnant again in 2001 and Dr. said since my cervix proved it held up, I was no longer at any risk and was treated like anyone else prenatally. I delivered that baby 2 days late also!

So, now I have 2 healthy girls who are the apple of my eye. I guess it all depends on how much scaring there is on the cervix itself. They can look at it closely and get an idea on whether you'd have problems or not..

Thank you so much for sharing that story..it was very inspirational. I too was diagnosed with HPV (both visible warts and dysplasia) kind. My warts occured once..and reoccured again..but since haven't come back. Yesterday, I just had my conization procedure done..and I was relieved until I was informed by my sister that it was only diagnostic. As far as I knew, I always thought it was a treatment...since I'm on CIN Stage II (precancer), I figured this treatment would be effective. I'm worried now...and I'm afraid I will have to go through a hysterectomy.

People tell me not to worry...but how can I not? I'm 23 years old...yet to be married...and already thoughts of adoption are going through my head. I don't know what the point of this entry really is...but I guess I just need support and motivation right now. I've been depressed since I heard of the diagnosis in March. Maybe I'm overreacting...but I get sad everytime I look at my fiance...and think...I may not be able to bear children for him. Someone..please provide words of encouragement =T

.

Thank you so much for sharing that story..it was very inspirational. I too was diagnosed with HPV (both visible warts and dysplasia) kind. My warts occured once..and reoccured again..but since haven't come back. Yesterday, I just had my conization procedure done..and I was relieved until I was informed by my sister that it was only diagnostic. As far as I knew, I always thought it was a treatment...since I'm on CIN Stage II (precancer), I figured this treatment would be effective. I'm worried now...and I'm afraid I will have to go through a hysterectomy.

People tell me not to worry...but how can I not? I'm 23 years old...yet to be married...and already thoughts of adoption are going through my head. I don't know what the point of this entry really is...but I guess I just need support and motivation right now. I've been depressed since I heard of the diagnosis in March. Maybe I'm overreacting...but I get sad everytime I look at my fiance...and think...I may not be able to bear children for him. Someone..please provide words of encouragement =T

DN2626,
I understand completely where you are coming from. I felt the same way when I was told that tampering with my cervix could lead to problems. I will tell you this...

Even if it comes down to them scaring your cervix extremely... there is the cerclage. It works wonders I heard. They first, look at your cervix and get an idea. Let's say it's bad... around 16 weeks of pregnancy, they will put it in....it's like a purse stitch so nothing can slip out. Then, a couple weeks before delivery, the untie it.

The chances of you getting pregnant and giving birth are great right now. Try to keep an open mind and ask your doctor all of these questions! It's not as bad as you think. I had some scaring on my cervix and still got pregnant on the first time of trying!....5 years later after the surgery.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

i was reading the board and just want to say that i also had mild dysplasia in 1996 right after the birth of my twins. By the time i got the freeze done(not sure of the proper name for it) it had gotten worse. Anyway i got the freeze thing and my gyn. told me that it almost always comes back a second time, and he wasn't even sure why. Well it did, about 6 months later. I got another freeze and that was that. It hasnt ever returned again. So i thought it was interesting that he almost always expected it to come back on his paitents a second time. And in my case it did.

Hi, I'm new to this board and just happened to stumble upon this post today. I too had mild dysplasia and was treated with a Leep in 2000. (also have HPV-from my ex-husband) I was very worried about how it would affect my chances of getting pregnant and put it off until I couldn't any longer. It was like a huge cloud hanging over me every day so I decided to go ahead with it, and then did the 3month check-ups until my doctor said I could go for yearly check ups again.

The good news....in June of 2004 I had a beautiful baby boy! It did not affect my getting pregnant. (I was pregnant two other times..one miscarriage and one tubal).

With that being said, I went for my first pap after his birth and just got the call today that I need to come in for another colposcopy. So..four years later it appears to be back. It's my belief that if you have HPV you will always have to deal with this. What makes it reoccur in some and not in others can be a mystery. BUT I agree with the smoking (because, shamefully I started again after my sons birth). And I honestly think your overall health and diet play a big part. Getting the proper nutrition and vitamins, I'm sure is essential. (though I have yet to take my own advice!!) I think I will now! Anyway, thought I would share my story. The important thing to remember is to get your regular paps always. My doctor said to me, with our treatments and early detection there is no reason that any woman should die of cervical cancer in this day and age. (other than lack of healthcare!)

Hope some of this is helpful.
Hope

I am having the leep done this friday and have had many of the same questions you are asking. I was told to eat foods high in anti-oxidants...as they help to prevent cancer and the spread of it. I would also highly suggest that you have leep done. I was told by my doctor that it does not affect fertility so much...but it does make miscarraige more likely because the tissue is more fragile and once the baby gets so heavy it may push through. Because of this whenever you do get pregnant you will need to have this continually checked. I hope I have been of some assistance.

So, if he smokes it really wouldn't hurt or make the dysplasa re-appear again? We always use condoms since I am not on the pill right now although I've heard that being on the pill makes it (the dysplasia) come again also. I feel as though I'm domed either way with this whole Dysplasia thing. Mine has only been the Mild stage and my doctor is monitoring it and I pray and hope it just goes away. But being that my boyfriend smokes and I'm sure he has been exposed to it will it make my dypslaisa worst??


No, his smoking won't make your dysplasia worse.

my dr tld me there was less than 10% chance it would come back and mine was one tage fro cancer

hi,

I had the LEEP 6 months ago for CIN III (even though the biopsy showed it was only CIN I - the LEEP results showed otherwise). I just had my follow up colposcopy - which led to another biopsy showing CIN I. Apparently I fall into the 3-5% who have a reoccurence after LEEP. 3-5%!!!!!!!!!!! so yes, chances of it coming back are very very small ... however it happens.

I too was worried about getting pregnant and giving birht okay after the LEEP but was assured it would be okay if monitored. They can add a stitch if need be. I came on these boards and was reassured by several women who had had LEEPS and gone on to have trouble free pregnancies and births.

However, now a second LEEP looks possible, so it seems pregnancy/childbirth even more remote for me ....

best of luck to you.

wow, i feel a lot better now about the infertility thing. i was really worried about that because im only 20. unfortunately im on an immunosuppressant called immuran which also poses a possible risk for infertility. also im wondering if the possibility of dysplasia reoccurring is increased since i am on an immunosuppressant....so i guess ill have to talk to my doc about that one. i have systemic lupus and i have a feeling that i may be seeking out some naturopathic remedies if the leep procedure is recommended a second time.

I had a LEEP done (2 weeks ago this Thurs.) and my Dr. said that having children down the road should not be a problem. It only becomes a problem if you have to have multiple LEEP procedures and more and more of the cervix is removed. But even people who have had multiple LEEP procedures have kids, the Drs. simply sew the baby in so to speak. Also, one or two who have had a LEEP procedure have had pre-term labor but my Dr. said it was very rare.

As far as recurrence is concerned, my Dr. said he didn't think it would be a likely possibility as he removed all the bad cells. He told me as long as I quit smoking, stayed with one partner, etc. I should be fine. But what if the partner I choose to stay with is the one who gave it to me in the first place? One would think reinfection would occur. Unfortunately, there is no way to test males for the virus and most of the time they have no symptoms, so us women are pretty much sunk in that regard I think. I'm just praying this vaccine everyone is talking about can be used in people who have already been infected and gone through a LEEP. This is DEFINATELY not something I want to go through again! If I find anything more out I'll keep you informed.

Hope this provides at least a little information. Hang in there and good luck!

I had a LEEP done (2 weeks ago this Thurs.) and my Dr. said that having children down the road should not be a problem. It only becomes a problem if you have to have multiple LEEP procedures and more and more of the cervix is removed. But even people who have had multiple LEEP procedures have kids, the Drs. simply sew the baby in so to speak. Also, one or two who have had a LEEP procedure have had pre-term labor but my Dr. said it was very rare.

As far as recurrence is concerned, my Dr. said he didn't think it would be a likely possibility as he removed all the bad cells. He told me as long as I quit smoking, stayed with one partner, etc. I should be fine. But what if the partner I choose to stay with is the one who gave it to me in the first place? One would think reinfection would occur. Unfortunately, there is no way to test males for the virus and most of the time they have no symptoms, so us women are pretty much sunk in that regard I think. I'm just praying this vaccine everyone is talking about can be used in people who have already been infected and gone through a LEEP. This is DEFINATELY not something I want to go through again! If I find anything more out I'll keep you informed.

Hope this provides at least a little information. Hang in there and good luck!


You don't know if your partner was the one who gave it to you unless he was your first... You cannot re-infect your self with the same strain like herpes so don't worry about passing it back and forth. But, if you meet someone new, you are at risk for catching the low strains (warts).

That's good to hear :) I was worried about that, as I'm sure you could tell.