Hey everyone. I'm new here and quite scared actually. I've been reading the board for a bit but new to post! Everyone seems so helpful so I thought I'd post now. I just got a call due to an abnormal pap, LSIL. I had the same thing in 2004, and then went back in 2005 and it was normal and now its back to this. My doc told me that normally he would just say to come back in 6 months but since I'm a worrier and since we're trying to get pregnant
(9mths ttc) he thought he'd refer me to get a colposcopy to set my mind at ease but also to get things cleared up should I get pregnant in the next 6 months.

So my question is, what exactly does LSIL mean and how close to cancer am I really. What can I expect at the colposcopy and will it hinder my ability to conceive?

Thanks in advance everyone. I'm quite scared.

Allie

I know it's scary, but do try not to worry. LSIL can mean "low-grade" dysplasia, but pap tests are pretty useless in really grading the cells. So you really just have to get the colposcopy and that will tell you much more clearly what's going on. Even if you have severe dysplasia, when it's caught early (which it seems in your case it was) it is QUITE treatable, and many ways of treatment don't significantly hamper fertility. We'll be thinking of you!!

Thanks Sippycup.

My doctor made it out to be no big deal at all and told me not to worry at all. From what you're saying it could be a lot worse then I thought. Yikes. Now I really hope they call me soon to make an appointment. Is there a chance that they can to the colposcopy and me not have dysplasia at all?

Thanks again for your response. Really appreciate it!

I didn't mean to make you worry more! Sorry! No, I don't think you have anything to worry about at all. Your doc just wants to make sure you're fine due to your TCC'ing. Have you ever had an HPV test? You might want to get one during the colposcopy. It's useful to know if you have one of the strains of HPV that CAN cause severe dysplasia or cancer. Although, even if you do, it does not mean you'll get those things.

I hope you get the test soon so you can put it behind you! Thinking and worrying about all this will drive you NUTS! I know, because it has me! :)

Just take a deep breath, and realize that EVEN IF (and it's not likely) you have a more severe form of dysplasia, it is treatable!!

Thanks Sippy!

I tend to be an abnormal worrier so sorry if I went abit crazy. I've never had health issues in my life so this is worriesome to me.

Don't know if I have HPV. I live in Canada and I don't know if they test for it. I just kind of assume I do since I have this now. That would make sense I think.

Question: If I have LSIL does that mean I definietly have at least CIN1. Sorry, as you can tell I'm new to this.

Hi alliehoo, I'm from Canada too. Re: testing for hpv, they don't do it here unless you specifically ask (and pay) for it. You had asked earlier if you have lsil on your pap, might the colpo not show anything? that is definately possible. Sometimes the pap can be over-read, and I think your doc is being extra cautious because you have had lsil in the past. If the colpo confirms lsil, then likely he would recommend following for a time period versus an actual procedure. I had a pap come back moderate, the colpo didn't identify any dysplasia and I was told to re-pap in six months. I have a bit different history than you, though (search posts with my name) so I chose a different course of action.

Bottom line is that lsil is very early changes to the cells. yes, the pap can miss things, but more often than not it is a good indicator of what is going on. Can't say that I have 100% blind faith in the pap smear, but it is definately better than no testing at all.

When do you go for your colpo?

Karen

Hey Karen, thanks for the response!

I don't have the appointment yet, my doc just called me yesterday and said he'd send the results over and they will call me for an appointment. He said he would normally just suggest to me to come back in 6 months but since we are trying to get pregnant and I may be pregnant in 6 months (and he knows I'm a worr

ier and said so much) he said we might as well just get it checked out now since if it does progress and I am pregnant then they won't do anything. I had the same reading 2 years ago and last years was normal and now its back to this.

I'm wondering too if BV has anything to do with abnormal paps. Apparently I have had it for a year (I have absolutely no symtoms they can only tell from the pap and I have never taken anything for it) But i heard that it can cause inflammation which can cause abnormal readings. Don't know.

Thanks for the info Karen, it's comforting as this is freaking me out and making me think I have every std in the book but never tested positive for anything. (again, I'm a worrier) Allie