Colposcopy

[Marylou]

Hi Girls,

I don't post here very often, although I do lurk every so often.
I hope you can educate me.

I have had abnormal smears for 3yrs now and have just been told I need to have a colposcopy and I am really really freaking out. None of my friends have had one and the internet is not doing anything to relax me !

Is this something I should be getting worried about?

Thank you
Tina

[Bettie May]

It's fine.... it's a bit embarrasing as you have to lie with your legs in stirrups whilst the Doctor looks through binoculars up there! But they basically poke around like in a smear and you get period type pains afterwards. I had the same as you, dodgy smears. They just said the tissue at the top looked inflammed but would heal itself.

ETA - I think they took tissue for biopsy actually too so you bleed afterwards (been poked around so much I forget as I also had biopsy before for uterine cancer) hence period pains. They offered me pain relief (paracetamol) as I recall but it wasn't that bad really.

[Marylou]

Thanks Bettie May, I am probably over-reacting, maybe because I don't know anyone thats had one.

Thanks Again

[Bettie May]

Try not to worry, you always think it's going to be worse than it actually is. I had a nice conversation about Strictly Come Dancing costumes with the male (camp) doctor last year whilst he was peering up there... they had a tv on to distract me from what they were doing... very bizarre but nothing horrific to worry abut.

[Samba]

I had one years ago. They removed some cells, and that was that - no probs ever since.

It really is no big deal, as BM says. You'll be fine :grin:

[Elvisola]

Yes like BM said it's just like a little more invasive smear. They snipped out a biopsy which just felt like a pinch.

I had slight cramps afterwards and a little bleeding for a few hours.

It really isn't anything to worry about and if you do have abnormal cells they will probably refer you for laser treatment which, although again is uncomfortable, really is quite straightforward too.

[Marylou]

hee hee.. It's good that they try to distract you. thank you Bettiexx

[Marylou]

Thank you for your replies Sambe and Elvisola.
you have all totally relaxed me, obvioulsy I have over-reacted

Thanks so much
xxxx

[Roseyposey]

Sweetie, I promise you, as the others have said, it is definitely NOT something to worry about. I'm sure I felt the same as you though, so very understandable. I've had 3 or 4 of them and they don't bother me now at all!

As the others have said, you will lie right back (sort of 90 degree angle) and they will have a look inside, and the person doing it will be very experienced. They may take a biopsy and will use a type of mustard coloured paste. You may want to take a small sanitary towel or pantyliner, as they may offer you a minging NHS one! Last time I had a few cramps, but it doesn't last long. Go home and sit down and make yourself a nice cuppa!

do you know what CIN you have? If they haven't mentioned, then don't worry about this either!

[~Twiggy~]

Echoing what others have said. x

[kelly]

I had one when I was 37 weeks pregnant with DS2 and as the doctor was making conversation he told me he didn't think it'd be long until I gave birth because everything was thinning out and baby would be there soon. He was born 4 days later!

[BellaDonna]

I had two done a few years ago after several abnormal smears - nothing to worry about, I actually found it less painful than the smear test! The worst thing about it was that she had the pictures up on a large TV sized screen and insisted on showing me my "inside area" and pointing out bits of interest - may as well have been showing me the surface of the moon! :lol: And the other thing is that they use acid to show up any areas of concern - it doesn't hurt at all, but your nethers smell like a chip shop for a while afterwards! :faint:

[Bettie May]

OMG yes.... the monitors with the pictures of your insides... bleargh.... I couldn't look at it!!

[BellaDonna]

She made me look! I'm glad I did now, but at the time... bleargh indeed!

[Sadie]

What the others have said, doesn't hurt at all :smile:. I've had around 4 now, the last just a few weeks ago. It's all over before you know it.

[mrsgrumpy]

Had one years ago, same as BM and they didn't even take a biopsy. No problems and two children since! Hope all goes well.

[lazymummy]

Had one years ago, same as BM and they didn't even take a biopsy. No problems and two children since! Hope all goes well.

Similar story here, no problems and have had another baby since then too!

[smiley]

Same for me. A few periody cramps and spotting afterwards, but no worse than a period.

I had CIN3, which is advanced pre cancerous cells and had a loop diathermy a few days later. I took 2 days off work but the worry was much worse than the physical discomfort.

I went on to have three sons so please do not worry

S xxx

[Marylou]

Hi Girls,

Just want to come back and say thank you so much for your reassuring posts, I got my results yesterday. Smear clear, biopsy slightly abnormal, delighted with that.

Thanks Again
xxxx

[Bettie May]

So glad. Bet you have been worrying and now you can relax finally. Will they wait and see if the "slighty abnormal" cells sort themselves out?

[Marylou]

sorry only getting back now, had pc problems, Bettie May they just said they would check the abnormality again in 6mths, as it was only slight .. Thank God ! x

[Bettie May]

Oh that's good news. You'll probably find your body will sort itself out and it will be back to normal by then. xx