Twenty years ago I was notifed that I had a "bad" PAP that was classified as a level III. I had no clue what this meant and there was no internet to research. I was told I needed a colposcopy - had no idea what that was and could barely even pronounce it. So I took some motrin (was told I would have cramps) and went to the appointment by myself without any great concern. Afterward I went home and resumed my life as normally as possible for someone whose melting cervix caused a need for adult diapers for a few weeks. I was not told I needed any follow up. Every PAP I've had since then has been normal. I now have three kids and a very busy life. There is so much scary information out there now that is either unclear or simply may not pertain to every situation. Please know that one bad PAP and the need for a colposcopy does not have to color the rest of your life with worry and fear.

Twenty years ago I was notifed that I had a "bad" PAP that was classified as a level III. I had no clue what this meant and there was no internet to research. I was told I needed a colposcopy - had no idea what that was and could barely even pronounce it. So I took some motrin (was told I would have cramps) and went to the appointment by myself without any great concern. Afterward I went home and resumed my life as normally as possible for someone whose melting cervix caused a need for adult diapers for a few weeks. I was not told I needed any follow up. Every PAP I've had since then has been normal. I now have three kids and a very busy life. There is so much scary information out there now that is either unclear or simply may not pertain to every situation. Please know that one bad PAP and the need for a colposcopy does not have to color the rest of your life with worry and fear.


It seems the more we know - the more we don't. There is alot of scary information and helpful information as well but sometimes the scary info overshadows the good when you are scared out of your mind like I am at this time because of this abnormal pap and HPV thing. I think back to my grandmother sometimes and some of the other ladies in my family-they did not worry about things and were not as obsessed with health issues and they lived their lives just fine. Perhaps things are different now-I really don't know. Thanks for your words.

Kimie I totally agree with you! I know that medical and technological advancements have been wonderful for us going through women's health problems, but then I, too, think about women 50 years ago. HPV existed then, people had sex...but women didn't seem to worry about this as much. Of course, the rates of cervical cancer was higher then, but I'm sure a lot of us with milder abnormalities may have not been picked up on pap screenings 50 years ago.

I would say about 80% of my friends have HPV-related problems (warts, abnormal paps, dysplasia). My friends and I are not promiscuous by any means, but of course have been sexually active. So most young adults who are sexually active have HPV. So I definitely think this is a generational thing! My mother was my age in the 60s and definitely was part of the free love generation. Neither she nor any of her equally-free loving friends had any pap abnormalities in the 60s. Does this mean they didn't have HPV? Hell no! Did this mean that the pap smear was not as sensitive to milder changes back then? I'm certain of it.

So on the one hand I'm grateful for these advancements in cervical screenings to stamp out cervical cancer 100%, at the same time I wish it wasn't so emotionally draining to be a part of this new generation of hyper-sensitive pap screenings.