To be panicking and crying about having a lletz procedure

[Soworrried]

I had an abnormal smear hpv and cin2/3 and a colposcopy and am booked in for a Lletz procedure tomorrow. I am panicking so badly. I am worried I have cancer or the procedure will damage my cervix. I'm only 29 and desperately want kids. Please does anyone have any words of encouraging or experiences. I've never been so scared in all my life.

I’m a doctor (GP). Please don’t panic, it’s a common procedure and you’ll heal up fine. It’s much more dangerous to NOT have it and leave the CIN to progress to something worse. I hope it’s all over and done with soon for you x

Please don't be so worried. Getting the LLETZ procedure is the best way of dealing with CIN now. There are lots of women who have had successful pregnancies after LLETZ; you just need to make sure your midwife/obstetrician know about it at the time.

Thank you so much.

Do lots of women have them?

I am terrified that I have cancer.

Lots and lots of women. I really feel for you OP, I had an abnormal smear and biopsy in 2020 (no treatment needed) and it absolutely knocked me for six. It took me a long time and even some counselling to feel normal afterwards, despite the fact it is really common. Some women just get on with it, but some of us really struggle to cope, so please seek help from your GP after if you're struggling. My friend has had two healthy pregnancies after a LLETZ, she's one of the women that just didn't worry about the procedure and found it no hassle.

Have had it and wasn't worried at all as I knew it was not a big deal. And it wasn't, I was out and working the next day. I just feel grateful we are so privileged to get these things seen to at once so they are sorted early:)

I feel that there's not enough care given to the mental health of women who have to go through this. It feels like it's so invasive and might stop me having kids and it's just horrible.

I think that sounds so great but don't you have to wait for results to see if it's cancer? So that 4 weeks will be hell

@Soworrried I'm going to pm you lass x

I had LLETZ treatment, no cancer. This is a preventative measure to help protect you from those CIN cells developing into cancer. I was the same. I was quite emotional while having the procedure, but I found the pain/recovery a lot less than the biopsy. I took some painkillers before going in and the local anaesthetic is great. I am also now currently 28 weeks pregnant with no cervical issues so far during my pregnancy!

I had the procedure in my twenties. It was fine and I didn't develop cancer and my cervix wasn't damaged by it.

I've had this and never gave cancer a second thought tbh. The point is that they remove the cells before they become cancerous.

It's fine. Takes minutes, hurts that day, but the next day I was fine.

I've had two OP, and had a successful pregnancy afterwards. It's just like a smear test, except the bleeding afterwards is a bit different and I got cramps like mild period pain.
It's natural for you to worry, but honestly, these procedures are so so common. CIN cells tend to change quite slowly so catching them early and getting rid of them is a really effective way to prevent cancer from developing.

when I had mine it was over so quick I didn’t even realise they’d started! It was completely painless and took seconds.

It’s actually not invasive at all compared to the procedures that used to be done. LLETZ only involves a tiny thin layer of cells being removed, it used to be a much bigger surgical procedure before.

Thank you so much. I think it was just that the nurse was so serious after the colposcopy. The patch looked quite large. They had said cin 2 in the letter but then after she said cin 2 and 3. That made me panic as she thought it was worse. She also said she'd ring rather than send a letter after the letz procedure if it was cancerous. This has made me think that she thinks it's cancer.

When I have been to the colposcopy clinic I have always found the anxiety before worse than the actual appointment.

The staff are amazing at reassuring women so try not to worry.

It really was ok and I had a successful pregnancy afterwards. You’ll be fine OP, have some sanitary towels ready and some paracetamol and treats and rest up for the day. Good luck x

Hi. I had this done in my mid 20s, was over really quickly, only a bit uncomfortable and results were fine. I’ve had normal smears ever since and had a little boy 3 years ago. Try not to panic (although I know that’s easier said than done) and I’m sure everything will be fine for you xx

Hi Op, I had a LLETZ treatment when I was 24 years old. This was prior to smears being offered by to my age group, I had symptoms and an abnormal cells following a biopsy.
I remember it being similar to painful period cramps after.
I’m now 40 years old and 38 weeks pregnant with my first, my cervix has not been compromised from it. Please don’t worry you will be fine and this is so important for the prevention of cancer.
sending love 💐 xx

I’ve had it done twice. I’ve since carried 2 children to full term and had natural births and 20 years on I still don’t have cancer.

Genuinely you are worried about nothing. You don’t have cancer and it will not stop you from having children. It’s a preventative procedure and will be over before you know it

It actually is still invasive though, regardless of how it used to be done, and minimising women's concerns and gaslighting them by pretending it's not invasive isn't helpful. It's not just the physical, it's the mental and emotional aspects too. You sound like the (male) gynae who told me to stop squirming, it wasn't painful (the biopsy, and it bloody was!). The first biopsy wasn't (different doctor) so patients can have different experiences each time, never mind the fact that different patients experience it differently.

These posts are so helpful. I don't know why I've taken it so hard.

I had LLETZ treatment for CIN 2/3 a few years ago after cell changes had been monitored for a couple of years. It was very straightforward, and although it wasn’t comfortable, it wasn’t painful either. I’m a single mum and my DS was only 2, so you can imagine how scared I was about it developing further!

Last smear showed no evidence of abnormal cells or HPV- the LLETZ treatment obviously did the job of kicking my immune system into touch too, and clearing the HPV.

Please try not to worry/panic, but make sure you tell the doctor how you’re feeling tomorrow. I would recommend you ask them in advance to turn screens away / not offer to show you what they can see etc.

CIN 3 & Lletz 23 years ago 2 children since not even an abnormal smear since

I had one last year (I think! That’s how much it’s stuck in my mind!) and while it’s not a fun day out for all the family it was absolutely fine. I was so nervous but honestly it wasn’t even a tenth as bad as I was thinking. There’s a little scratch for the local and even that wasn’t as bad as I’d worked myself up thinking it would be and then you feel absolutely nothing apart from a tiny bit of pressure and that’s it. I didn’t even have cramps or anything afterwards but lay on the sofa and watched crap tv and ate loads of chips because I deserved it for being a brave solider.

The biopsy done before that was 100% worse than the LLETZ for me and I found it really shocking in a way I didn’t the actual procedure.

The only thing I did need in the few days afterwards was a bit of TLC because emotionally I found it very draining because of all the (unnecessary) worry.

Always here if you need a handhold tomorrow @Soworrried xx