Living With HPV… My Story
Such a stigma put on others living with STD’s. Why is this so? Admitting to another that you are living with a STD is not socially acceptable. People tend to look at others with STD’s and see the person in a negative light. This is not right. We should not feel ashamed that we have a sexually transmitted disease.
My name is Stephanie Dow. I am 26 and I live in Washington State. I have a young daughter whom I cherish and a love hate relationship with my full-time job. Did I mention that I have the Human Papillomavirus? I have HPV.Â
I found out I was infected with HPV shortly after my daughter was born. At my 6 week post-partum appointment in December 2004 my OB/GYN told me that my pap smear had abnormal results. She ordered more tests which came back with results I did not want to hear. Not only did I have the HPV virus but that it was a moderate risk strain. A colposcopy and a cervical biopsy were performed and it detected that the HPV virus was causing abnormal cell growth on my cervix. Colposcopy and cervical biopsy are done at the same appointment. I would compare the pain to my worst menstrual cramps.
My abnormal cervical cell growth, or cervical dysplasia, was classified as moderate and removal was the best option. Left alone without treatment, there was a good chance that my cervical dysplasia would eventually become cervical cancer. This is a scary concept for anyone who hears the “Cancer” word. Not knowing what is going on with your body, but knowing that something isn’t right and could possibly be this serious is not a enjoyable experience.
To remove the cervical dysplasia on my cervix the HPV had caused, Cryosurgery was the choice of action. I had the Cryosurgery done in February of 2005. Cryosurgery is sort of like having a wart frozen off of your foot, or your knee, or your hand. The only difference, it’s being done on your cervix. Let me tell you, it is not the most pleasant experience. I have felt far worse pains but this one will definitely stay in memory for quite some time. I would compare the uncomfortableness of this very short 25 or so minute procedure to the 14 hours of labor induction I endured just months before.
Following the removal of the abnormal cell growth caused by HPV, I returned back to my doctor for routine visits. A colposcopy and a cervical biopsy were preformed again, first at 3 months post cryosurgery, then every 6 months for the next 2 years. After the 2 year period showing no signs of abnormal cell growth returning, I was given the all clear.  told that I must go just once a year for a pap smear, and that so long as my results continue to come back normal, I no longer need to have colposcopy and cervical biopsy done at my visits. This was music to my ears. Truly leaving work a few hours early is kind of nice, leaving work to have the doctor scraping and taking pictures of my cervix, not so nice.
It has been 3 years since I first found out that IÂ was infected HPV. Until the creation of this website IÂ did not broadcast to the word that I have HPV, but IÂ did not kept it a secret from family and friends. I have a sexually transmitted virus, I have HPV, which caused my cervical dysplasia. I’m still the same me I was before I found out I was living with HPV. Â
