Colposcopy aftercare question

[HÆLTHEPAIN]

Hi,

I’m posting here for traffic.
I had a colposcopy last week, with biopsies taken. Everything went well with the procedure and only a slight bit of cramping and light bleeding for a few days after. I think my last bleeding was Thursday and it was only on the tissue when I wiped rather than being heavy. No signs of infection either. So far, so good.

I remember the lady who looked after me saying something about grey discharge as well (due to the thing they use to stop bleeding)…I haven’t had any grey discharge at all, only red/brown then pink/brown, as it got lighter, bleeding.

My question is, is that ok? Or should I expect anything else (like the grey in the coming days)?

Also, when I looked at my leaflet from the hospital it says you can have sex, use tampons etc after approximately 4 days. However, when I was looking online, other places say two weeks. I’m due a period soon and normally use a cup and am a bit unsure what to do. I’m also still a bit wary of having sex for some reason!

Can anyone offer any advice/experience please?

Thank you.

Ive had a colposcopy and biopsies several times after abnormal smears. I don’t recall anything particularly grey, just some paler blood afterwards. It might be to do with the dye they use which was why she might have said about the grey. Didn’t have sex for a few days but other then that, no issues at all.

I didn’t do anything special after and I don’t remember having anything other than a bit of spotting and cramping on the day.

Thank you both for sharing your experience. It sound like everything is as it should be then.

I’ve had a few cervical biopsies and the healing has been different each time. The only time I’ve had grey stuff come out was when they had to use a lot of the paste that stops bleeding.

The other times it’s been versions of what you’ve outlined.

I’d wait until all discharge has stopped before sex but that’s a personal preference. Period cup will be fine!

If it helps (I'm well menopausal) my last colposcopy, plus biopsy, was fairly recent. I've never had the spotting/cramping/brown stains from the iodine or whatever other magic chemicals they used last longer than 24 hours.

Never had grey discharge. Always grateful for the free sanitary towel, from our broken NHS! Keep well.

@Over40Overdating

"I’ve had a few cervical biopsies and the healing has been different each time. The only time I’ve had grey stuff come out was when they had to use a lot of the paste that stops bleeding."

Ooh. I didn't know about that, or notice any grey. But they clearly had a discount on iodine the last couple of times I was there. Did she/he/they/zir say 'this may sting a bit'? 😅

Thanks again everyone. I haven’t had anything (discharge or bleeding) since Thursday so it sounds like everything is good to go back to normal.

@CrystalSingerFan yes, they did say the biopsy would ‘pinch’ a little but forgot to say the bleeding paste was also a little on the sharp side! At one point they were debating if I might need stitches so I was happier with the stinging of the paste to be honest!

Gah! Stitches! Are we helping the OP?

I never needed stitches, OP! And power to all women who keep using the NHS preventative medicine options. But hell, even if you do... Better than the worst case scenario.

I remember bleeding for a lot longer than I expected and I had strange colour discharge due to the solution they used on my cervix.

@CrystalSingerFan OP is post her procedure.

Of all the parts of the NHS, cervical screening and treatment has always been flawless for me. Extremely grateful to how thorough they are!

Hell yes! Although I'm currently catsitting for someone who's come out the other side of breast cancer. (94% remission) So I go for my mammograms too.

God, I've turned into a public service announcement....

It seems like it can be different for different people from what I’ve read elsewhere too. So, what happened for you was your normal. And my experience has been normal for me too. I’m also prepared for it if ever have to have one again that it could last longer, so thank you for sharing your experience.

@CrystalSingerFan @Over40Overdating I am post mine and I have to say, the procedure itself was a breeze really. The people looking after me, including the consultant and nurses, as well as admin staff, were amazing. I had mine done under the 2 week pathway after a check of my cervix showed it was really inflamed and ‘bulky and unusual looking’. So the worry of what it could be was the scariest thing and triggered panic attacks. As I say though, the actual appointment in the hospital was amazing really - I had an internal scan too. Obviously I was nervous but they were all so reassuring, kind and caring.

The consultant was able to put my mind at rest too - she said it was just a hormonal thing causing the inflammation and she wasn’t concerned at all - and that the biopsies were more a formality. I know the NHS is in such a state but I feel so very lucky to have had this done so quickly and with such care.

@HÆLTHEPAIN gynae care does seem to be an area where the NHS is excelling.

I had an ovarian cancer scare last year and was put on the pathway and again was blown away by how fast and how through the process was. We are very lucky to have this!

@Over40Overdating @CrystalSingerFan

Just an update. I had a letter to say there were no pre cancer or cancer changes showing so that’s such a relief. It did say ‘just viral changes’ (which I assume means HPV) and that was pretty much it. No request for follow up or anything which I’m taking as a good thing.

The thing is, I have more questions since receiving the letter! I am wondering if I should expect the virus to go on its own. I have a routine smear due in May this year so I’m also wondering what will likely happen at that point if it shows the virus is still there? Will I need another colposcopy?

Does anyone have any idea please? Thank you!

Thanks for the update - your results sound great! Keep well.

As for your other question, apparently: "There's no treatment for the HPV infection. Most HPV infections do not cause any problems and are cleared by your body within 2 years." Mine hasn't for many years, sadly, but the non-cancerous effects of this have been treated by an unproblematic DLE and LLETZ. I'm currently 65 and absolutely fine.

The most interesting thing I never knew was that: "HPV [has] more than 100 different types." so this might be something to ask about.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

I'm mildly interested in your internal scan too. (I've never had one) What did that involve? (My next smear's due soon, with the inevitable colposcopy...)

Thank you for your well wishes. It sounds like it should sort itself out but if not, then any early changes should be able to be easily treated.

As for the internal scan - ít’s basically that they use probe that they cover with a condom, add lube and insert it into the vagina. I’ve had a few over the years due to PCOS and they usually press on my tummy (don’t know if that’s just for me due to my anatomy or normal for everyone), so there’s a bit of pressure but it’s not painful.

Goodness - that's fascinating. Medical technology is amazing. Thanks for the info!

If you still have HPV you will be called for a smear every year instead of every 3 years.

They will test the sample for abnormal cells, and if you have any, you will be called back for another colposcopy but if is not automatic.

Thank you!

Great news on your clear results @HÆLTHEPAIN.

I’ve had HPV for about 20 years. The vast majority of people will clear it themselves within a year or two, but some of us don’t.

You’ll likely be called for a smear annually until you do or if you have a persistent infection, they may call you annually and repeat the colposcopy until they are confident the infection is not progressing. It will depend on your consultant I imagine.

The positive thing is you will be monitored carefully now.

Thank you for your reply.. it’s really helpful. At least I know what to expect now.

The letter literally just said those few lines about no cancer or precancer, just viral. And to contact them if my irregular bleeding persists. Nothing else at all! (The irregular bleeding was just occasional spotting which they said was caused by erosion).