Hi there

When you say you have “high grade” are you referring to the level of cell changes found? It’s high RISK HPV which can cause cell changes, so I’m a little unsure what you mean by high grade, as there are 3 levels of cell changes from low to moderate to severe. 

You can carry high risk strains of HPV without any cell changes, but the colposcopy will be looking for any cell changes and treating them if necessary. 

Your immune system can clear HPV if it’s strong enough and make it inactive/dormant, but it cannot be “cured”. It’s definitely not uncommon to have persistent HPV, but the screening process is looking for any cell changes it may have caused. 

Hiya! I have hpv plus high grade cell changes also, i had both of these in my first smear also around 3 years ago. Im just wondering if its possible high grade cells come as quickly as it has, as i just had hpv last year now this year both again. With changes to my periods also. Lasting 30+ days 

The HPV causes the changes, but if you had high grade cell changes I expect they would have been treated when they were found before? It would not be usual to leave them untreated. Did you have a lletz/loop treatment? And if so, did you get clear margins from the procedure?

And yes, unfortunately, in answer to your question, you can have this happen again. Have you had any investigation of your abnormal bleeding?  

Yes i had loop treatment the first time. And smears have been clear apart from hpv up until this one which i have the high grade cells again.

No the abnormal bleeding was put down to my contraceptive implant, but now this has come back high grade im wondering if its actually linked. As i was fine on the implant for the first 18 months. But since june bleeding has been all over the place. 

Having HPV in itself shouldn’t cause abnormal bleeding and nor should cell changes, although I am aware of many women who did have symptoms with cell changes. However, it is possible to have more than one loop treatment, so if severe changes are seen at the colposcopy then this would be an option again.