LAVH: So confused now...HELP!!!

I know how doctors can try to candy coat things and make them seem better than they really are so that you don't flip out on them. But, I would rather have the truth, and realizing this after my office closes, I'm flipping out!

I was on the mysterhystersisters website, and saw some of the information on the pap smears. I have been told that the issues with my cervix are severe dysplasia. It shows it that information that severe dysplasia is cancer. My doctor hasn't said that I have cancer though! So do I, or don't I?

I found out a few years ago that I have HPV. That is when I had my first biopsy, and I didn't have to have a LEEP at that time. I think that was in 2005. Then last year, I had my daughter in July. At the six week appointment, I had the regular pap smear, and it came back abnormal, with severe dysplasia. I had a LEEP, and was told I would have a pap every three months until I had a year of good paps. The next one was abnormal again, and that brings us here. Of course, we were going to do the tubal ligation, pap came back abnormal, so we decided on the hyster cause I am sick of dealing with my stupid cervix. That's my story, lol. So, am I making something out of nothing, or should I hound my doctor to see if it is cancer, or am I just flipping out for nothing? Thanks in advance, ladies!

This is from the Mayo Clinic site: mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-dysplasia/AN01657

No. Cervical dysplasia isn't cancer. The term indicates that abnormal cells were found on the surface of the cervix.

Cervical dysplasia can range from mild to severe, depending on the appearance of the abnormal cells. Dysplasia could go away on its own or, rarely, it could become cancerous. Another term for cervical dysplasia is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Hope this helps - you should make sure you write down all your questions though and ask you Dr to explain things more clearly.

Colorado, I am in the same place that you are. I also was diagnosed with HPV in 2005 and have had abnormal pap smears since then. They have ranged any where from ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) all the way to CIN II (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). CIN changes range from CIN I all the way to CIN III. These are precancerous changes that have shown up on the cervix usually due to the HPV. CIN I usually clears up on it's own, but a Dr's like to watch it. CIN II & III are usually investigated further with colposcopies, LEEP, and conization.

I am at the CIN II stage and I am sick and tired of being poked and proded. I also had an ablation done about 10 years ago, and my period returned with a vengance so here I am scheduled for a TLH next week and as scared and nervous about the whole thing as I am I will be glad to have it all over with. I made sure to ask my Dr able pap smears after my surgery since he is taking my cervix too, and he said that I will need to have them for about 2 years after the surgery and then I should be able to go every 3-5 years as long as everything is clear.

I know all of this is confusing, but my best recomendation is to ask your doctor. If you have questions write them down, and take them with you to your next appointment and have him or her answer them for you. Knowledge is power.

Best of luck with your surgery, keep us updated on your progress.