Cervical ectropian in peri menopause?

[Newshoos]

Just been for a smear and told I have this but all info points to if effecting young women and women on the pill. I’ve never been on the pill and I’m 48. Has anyone had this at a similar age? I’m panicking it’s something else. Also been bleeding since the smear an hour ago

Hello, I opened your thread by mistake but didn't want to read and run!
I'm in the younger category so cannot answer the first part of your query. But I also have gyny issues being investigated currently just wanted to say I had a vaginal exam and swabs yesterday at 10am & have been bleeding and cramping quite a lot since , still ongoing (this hasn't happened for my pervious exams) - I've just called my doctor to query this and she said it's normal :-) so hopefully that helps put your mind at rest about that portion . Take Care xx

Thanks so much for replying! I think the bleeding has stopped now and I hope yours settles too xx

Bump

Yes I have this. I bleed badly for 3 days after a smear. Peri too.

It is just one of those things. It doesn’t mean anything sinister. I have quite significant cervical ectropion though I have been on the pill. I’m mid 40s. You can get it for other reasons too. It’s not cervical cancer. It does bleed though as it’s just a more sensitive type of tissue. It will stop though.

Thanks so much for the replies! I have been puzzled as I didn’t fit the criteria for ectropian but it seems it can happen.

Also wondering if they can actually see if you do have cancer or would they just not say anything and make you wait for the smear results?

Bump again. Have any older ladies had this? I have read that it can look similar to early cervical cancer (I know the two are not related) so I’m scared this is what she has seen. I’m honestly doubting it’s an ectropian at my age. Don’t think I can cope waiting for these results

I’m 53 and was told I had this 2 years ago. A significant one. I also have HPV and have had treatment on removing pre-cancerous cells since age 21. I have had smear tests very regularly as a result but this was the first time ectropian was mentioned and as you say can present visually as cancer. I was referred to clinic and checked over thoroughly. No action required. Hope that sets your mind at rest.

Thank you! Everything I’ve read said it’s common in young women and women using contraception which isn’t me! I’m so angry at myself as I haven’t had a smear for 15 years and know if it’s cancer it will totally be my own fault!

Also I’m glad all was well with you x

I was told at my last smear I had it. I’m 46 and it been on the pill for a very long time. Smear came back normal.

Thank you. This is what’s worrying me is that I’ve never been on the pill and it’s usually caused by that so I’m worried it’s something else x

I had this a few years ago and was like you. I've no idea if I still have it but it's clearly not been anything to worry about. Hth.

I was 50 plus when it happened

It's not cancer

@neveradullmoment99 thank you so much can I ask how old you are and if you were on contraception? Sorry please don’t feel the need to answer if You would rather not x

I have this. I’m 39 and haven’t taken the pill for decades. It can be caused by high oestrogen/fluctuating oestrogen. My nurse reckons she sees it in about fifty percent of women who have ever given birth.

FYI if you want to keep an eye on it yourself, Amazon sells light up speculums and there are brief YouTube videos in how to use one (you will obviously need a mirror or a camera phone too).

I was a bit worried when I was told about mine because I had had precancerous cells previously but my smear test came back negative. It’s slightly worrying that we no longer get screened for non-HPV derived cancers anymore but what can you do?

@Icannoteven thats a great idea thank you. I’m told they only look for hpv now and if negative they don’t even check your cells. It’s such an invasive and for me painful procedure that I wonder whether to just get a job swab from the chemist next time!

does anyone know how long smear test results take? I was in such a stress I forgot to ask! I have the nhs app

In my case I was told 5-6 weeks but I never actually got anything. Months later I called and queried and there was notification on the system that the smear was clear

usually in the past I have got a letter but apparently you don’t always get if. You should get called if any action is needed tho.

I was told by nurse who did my last smear that C.Ectropian is very common in older women esp. around transition to menopause, the hormonal changes of menop cause CE (I understood her to explain). The nurse was the only HCP who told me I had CE. Having had several other people eyeballing my cervix around that same time....

I still think the CE is the only reason I had bleeding for about 8 weeks summer of 2023. I was 55 then.

I think the results took about 2 weeks to come back. Not cancer.

I can't comment about pill. I never took it & I never had CE diagnosed before last year, either.

Funny enough the nurse said that because of the CE I would bleed lots after the smear... either I bled not at all or almost not at all afterwards. That's about the date when my bleeding fully stopped, actually. The nurse also gave me loads of advice what medical procedures I could have if the CE was causing persistent difficult problems but... I didn't need that advice as it turned out.

I have this, I’m mid 40s.
I took the pill in my early twenties but otherwise have been using the copper coil, and more recently mirena.
I also have adenomyosis.

Thank you for the new replies. I did bleed after my smear but not extensively. I’ve had one minor bleed in between periods which was 2 weeks ago for one day and had no bleeding since. I didn’t know they were common in peri.

Hi, I have this. My last smear showed no HPV but I have the occasional bleed. There's no cycle to it. Sometimes it's quite bright red other times it's spotting.
It happened after sex recently so I went back to the Gp. She said I have an ectropian & has referred me to gynaecology. I chased up my apt this week & it's a 12 month wait list!!
She said they won't do another smear as my last one was fine.
In the meantime I've booked a private apt through my DHs plan & am being seen in a couple of weeks.
From what I've seen an ectropian can be sorted & it's nothing to be concerned about.