Abnormal Cells in Vagina post total Hysterectomy, anyone else?

Have you seen an oncologist? I had total hysterectomy due to post-menopausal bleeding which found a small tumor in the E. lining, but needed no other treatment; 3 years later, abnormal symptoms and biopsy confirmed Endometrial Carcinoma. Just a suggestion, you might want an oncologist opinion, just to confirm what your gyn says about "just wait'.

I hope you’re doing well now!
Yes, my doctor is actually an Oncologist Gynecologist, still I’m not sure about this wait another year and see….

@staylorrn2000 My situation is similar to yours, in some aspects. I had a total hysterectomy in 2014, after prior complications with uterine ablation, and collapse of uterus. In 2018, 4 years later, continued to experience hpv 18 and cancerous lesions, continually every years. Every year they would test various areas, swab, and get the results, and freeze the area. This happened until 2024, when the results came back negative for any cancer or hpv. However, I think the individual that did the swab did not do it accurately and I do believe that it was still there. I do believe the HPV was there and I believe the cancer was there. I saw a new doctor for a second opinion, just 4 months after because I was experiencing severe issues. I opted for a gynecologist that specializes in this area, and she is an md. I had my exam, I’m sure enough, the HPV 18 showed up again, as did the cancerous lesions. However, when you have a false positive, and then a positive, the doctor has to wait until the next exam to do anything. I don’t quite understand this rationale, because it is in fact present. My understanding is because I had an appointment where they didn’t find it, and then an appointment where they did, they do not treat the area. I don’t understand this because I know that it’s there. I am sad to see my doctor again in two months, where I will discuss this again with her and have another exam. My feeling and thoughts are, be your own best advocate. If you feel that you’re not getting the answers to your questions and you’re not getting the help that you need for your circumstances, find a physician that is hearing what you’re saying, explaining everything very clearly and it’s very proactive for you. I have learned that with mine for the years that it lied dormant in my body, when my immune system system was compromised, it became prevalent. I’m doing everything that I can to hopefully change this. This evening means incorporating alternative therapies that most doctors don’t even look at. I always share what I’m doing and how I’m incorporating it with my physician to make sure that they are aware of my own personal efforts. It’s frustrating that the protocol that the medical system has set up does not allow treatment every time regardless of finding the hpv or not. I think the facts of it being present thus many years if fact, that its still there. I tell myself that if I can shoot for five years of clean Pap smears, I will not be so apprehensive about this. As to whether I ever accomplish this, I don’t know, however, I’m not going to give up trying. I always make sure I ask lots of questions and understand all the risks procedures, and have the latest information regarding studies for HPV and cancerous lesions. And above all if your body is telling you something, in my circumstances, I listened to my body and if it doesn’t feel right, I let my physician know. And sometimes getting a second opinion from someone else can be beneficial as well. I hope this is helpful.

Thank you for sharing your circumstances with me and I’m sorry you’re continuously dealing with this. I fist became HPV 16 positive in 2020 which totally shocked me as I had at that point been a widow for 9 years. It was explained to me that I most likely had it lying dormant for many many years and when my immune system could no longer fight it, it became active. I’ve never cleared it since. I’ve had a lot of steroids due to asthma and chronic sinusitis and have now been on prednisone continuously for over a year. I am trying to wean off of the prednisone but I now have adrenal insufficiency secondary to steroid use. I know the worst thing possible for this vaginal situation is to be on oral steroids. I have in the past been given very poor medical advice and basically ended up where I am now because of that poor advice. So now I am going to see an integrated medicine doctor and also get a second opinion from an Oncologist Gynecologist in Chicago and go from there.
I’m wishing you all the best!!

@staylorrn2000. I did some research and reading on reliable websites about low grade squamous intraepithelial cells. Here is what I found:

Cleveland Clinic: squamous intraepithelial lesions:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22042-squamous-intraepithelial-lesion-sil

From what I read this kind of cellular change is considered "precancerous" and the low-grade kind like you were diagnosed with is less serious and can go away on its own. I have not experienced this so I cannot provide personal experience. If this were me I think I'd want another opinion.

I see in your most recent post that you plan to see an Integrative Medicine physician and get a second opinion.. I think seeing an Integrative Medicine physician considering you have been on oral steroids for some time is a very good choice. I see an Integrative Medicine physician who specializes in oncology. She is very knowledgeable and helpful because she pulls it altogether for me.

Have you already made these appointments? Will you come back and let me know what you find out with these additional medical opinions?