Has anyone had a Colposcopy?

[Theseatheskytheseatheskyyyy]

I had a smear test last month. Just had a letter through the door to say I need to go for a colposcopy and there’s an 8 week waiting list. I’m really concerned about this. I’m only 25. I have two daughters aged 2 and 4. I’ve had numerous smear tests (live in Scotland) most of which come back with minor changes and for around a two year period I was having smear tests every 6 months to keep an eye on this. My last one before this was in late 2017 and that was the only one to ever come back as normal. Has anyone had to get this done before? My partner is working away until March and although I have friends and my mum I still feel so worried about this.

Please don’t worry - I’ve had one of these and it was really no big deal. They’d have asked you back much sooner if there was anything at all to worry about.

I felt the same as you at the time and was petrified but the doctor was lovely and explained that these things are much more common than you think.

Be kind to yourself!

Yes. It's frightening, I went through the "It's cancer" fear for 6 weeks until I had the appointment, The process is odd feet in stirrups and she had what looked like binoculars (!) they did a loop treatment on me to remove abnormalities. It took about half hour, next smear was fine.

Yes - I had one after my second ever smear test. The actual test was fine - a little uncomfortable (in the same way a smear is) but not painful at all. They took a small biopsy and I felt nothing. It was also over a lot quicker than I expected - I remember saying 'is that it?'

Results were fine - I had more frequent smears for a couple of years then back to normal. I think minor changes are quite common? I thought of it as just an extra check-up - try not to worry and enjoy Christmas.

Yes, it's fine. Doesn't really hurt just a little uncomfortable at times. I had no pain of bleeding after.

I've not had one but used to work this clinic. 8 weeks is certainly good news. It suggests that the changes detected are at an extremely early stage - one which quite possibly won't even require any treatment as it could all resolve by itself. Oh course it's very, very important to go to the appointment and get checked out but I really wouldn't worry. I would expect that a couple of tiny skin samples will be taken just to check what's going on but no more at this stage.

Yes, it's painless. It's more or less like what you'd experience during an actual smear test.

It's just like having another smear, maybe a bit longer. The process is fine but the waiting is awful and really effected me. It's a very standard procedure for the gynaecologist/ nurses but very scary for those of us waiting to have it. Try not to worry, but I know it's easier said than done.

It's totally fine, uncomfortable but didn't hurt. I know it's hard not to worry but it will be fine.

Thank you all. It really is reassuring to hear everyone’s experiences. And thank you Rule for your insight from your perspective.

I just keep thinking to myself that the worst is happening and I’m worried for my daughters. I’m probably getting worked up over nothing. I’m also really scared, not because I’m worried about the procedure itself but because I’m worried about what they might find. I’ve been googling private clinic options too so I could get an appointment quicker but it is a lot of money.

Yes I had colposcopy and Lletz treatment. Wasn’t pleasant but neither is a smear or routine blood tests etc. Waiting and not knowing is the hardest part.

Yes I have! I had 'borderline abnormalities' which they wanted to kept an eye on so I had a couple, then moved house but they sent my next appointment letter to my old address and I missed it, and had to start the whole thing all over again so I've been about four times now. It'll be fine, nothing to be concerned about.

I had one a few years ago- totally fine, very similar experience to a smear.

I got the all clear, didn't require any further treatment and had a follow up smear which was fine.

Getting the letter and the wait was the scariest part of the whole process.

I've just recently had my results back from my colposcopy (all 20mm of abnormal cells have been removed and just need to go for another smear in 6 months now).
I got the letter about the abnormal cells being CIS 3 severe after my first ever SMEAR back in September (at 29), and with very little other information in the letter I went through the whole worry and panic and self hatred for not having gone for a smear much sooner.
My colposcopy appointment was about 3 weeks after my smear test, so quite soon after, and it was obviously uncomfortable and awkward, but honestly not that bad.
It was after that was worst IME, I had to wear pads for the first couple weeks because otherwise it would feel like I'd wet myself (I did panic about this but after a bit of googling I found it's quite normal), and not being able to have a bath for 6 weeks almost killed me, I'm not really a shower person , but in all honesty it wasn't the worse thing ever.

I did do quite a bit of googling whilst waiting for the results out of worry, but the stats I kept finding told me that the percentage of cancer results after a colposcopy were really quite low so chances of bad news were quite slim, this did help me a little, but truthfully itching will completely put your mind at ease until after you've been through it and got your results back.

Good luck with it and I hope for the very best

I had one 11 or 12 years ago. It was painless and efficient. I'd been so worried about it!

Yes, a few weeks ago. I had severe abnormalities and they gave me a lletz- it was uncomfortable but perfectly manageable and was over quickly. I totally understand your fear but the chances of it being cancer are extremely low