After a bad pap this spring, and a cervical biopsy showing hsil with precancerous changes in June, I am about to go in for a LEEP on Thursday. It has been a weird trip for me to find out I have HPV after 20 years of monagamy. I am extremely depressed. How do I deal with this?

[This message has been edited by gadgetgirl (edited 07-09-2003).]

Actually, the virus can stay dormant in your system and not cause any cellular changes. I have been in a monogamos relationship for 12 years now, and am just now having dysplasia. Here is my understanding......80 percent of the sexually active population has the virus that causes dysplasia. BUt only a small percentage of people develop cellular changes. It is believed that the immune system in most individuals fights off the virus. Now, why others do get dysplasia is unknown, but there are factors like smoking that weaken the immune system, making your body unable to fight off the virus. I asked my doctor why I was just now having symptoms and he did not have the anwser. He did reassure me I could have had this for years, and it is possible that it is just now showing up. I think the birth of my third child and the hormones and stress must have weakened by body. Also, I was dieting to lose weight. I have read other similiar experiences with women who have been with one person for 20+ years who have had dysplasia for the first time. Good luck with everything.

yeah....i was 18 when i found out i had HPV....so it was quite depresing for me too... im 19 now and still have a hard time accepting it... its just a very horrible thing that i cant believe even exists... sometimes it makes me wish i never even had sex to begin with....