Wasn't sure where to put this, or if it really belongs on the forums at all, but I trust you guys so...
Anyway, I had a smear like normal a month ago, got the results back this week and it turns out that I have some minor abnormalities in the cells. They want me to go back for another smear in 6 months.
I think I'm mostly upset about the fact that I have to go back for more smeat tests (I HATE them - though I guess most women do!) But I can't pretend like I'm not at least a little bit worried about "The Big C". Everyone I know says that if it was a real problem they would have called me back sooner than 6 months time, but I don't know anyone personally who's been through this kinda thing....
Anyone been through this before? Tell me I'm worrying about nothing and its probably just a glitch in my cervix!!!?
I've never had a smear and can't say I know much about them, but I have heard that often there can be abnormal cells and it's nothing to worry about, or it can just be a glitch in the test. I'm sure that if it was something serious they'd call you back for more tests much sooner.
I had this once and it was nothing. The vast majority of the time it's nothing to worry about (sometimes having a yeast infection or having recently had sex can cause the results to be squiffy too).
about 1 in 10 women get an abnormal result at some point. The reason they're checking you again in 6 months is that usually any slightly or borderline cells fix themselves. They'd have called you in very soon for a colposcopy if there was anything they were more worried about (where they do biopsies).
This page explains what abnormal cells are and basically says that if the cells look a little bit different to normal. you go back in six months, if they look quite a bit different then they send you off to a specialist - by telling you to go back in six months it shows they're not too worried so you shouldn't be either!
Been reading through your posts and having a look at the suggested websites and I do feel a bit less worried about the whole thing now. The leaflet I got along with my result letter mentioned an STD that 'apparently' most people get at some point in their lives, but has no symptoms, and usually clears up on its own (I can't remember the name and the leaflet is at mums) So maybe its just that, or like you guys have said it could be anything, like a contaminated sample or a simple infection.
When I read the word "coloscopy" in the leaflet it sounded really frightening - they were very vague about it! - but it doesn't sound so bad now. Hopefully it won't even come to that though. :)
Hun if you are worried and want to talk to someone you can always ring nhs direct and talk to a nurse, they are always very nice and could explain why they might have done this.
After my first horrific smear test i got a letter saying that they needed me to go back - i was petrified, but all it was in the end was that they didnt have enough cells on the original test!
Just wanted to say I'm going for the same thing at the moment, some minor abnormalities after a years worth of gynaclogical problems. Off to bed now, but feel free to chat with me about it.
Try not to worry too much as my sister had an abnormal one and she put off going back untill my mum made her go and all was ok. Its hard as I myself am one of lifes worriers and I would think the worst too. Hugs and good luck with your follow up smear xxx
