Cervical Cancer - Am I worrying over nothing?

[welshmuma]

So as the title suggests I am worried about Cervical cancer and am currently awaiting a GP appointment as first course of action.

I am 32 and have a marina coil which I've had for 2 years and I've had one previously with no issues. I have regular monthly periods which consist of light bleeding. I have had a clear STI check two weeks ago and only sleep with 1 partner (not that it's relevant) Have two children (last birth 2016)

I last had a normal smear in early 2023 so I am aware the big C is VERY unlikely but it was something that was mentioned at the clinic in regards to my symptoms when sti was clear.

So...my main symptoms have happened over the last 6 months and are ongoing;
>Bleeding during and after sex - a good amount that fills pads ect (sorry TMI).
>Pain during sex which can sometimes be extreme.
>Some random bleeding outside of my normal cycle.
>Severe pelvic pain at random times which can sometimes even feel like labour - I genuinely thought a baby was guna pop out last time it happened.
>Watery discharge daily , having to wear panty liners.

Other symptoms that could be unrelated are a change in bowel movements , constantly exhausted , loss of appetite and generally feeling unwell.

Family history - My mum had a full hysterectomy at 34 due to Cervical Cancer and my sister had cancerous cells removed at 35.

What could it be other than the big C?
I'm really trying not to start worrying but none of this is normal for me.

Thanks for reading if you got this far xx

Family history - My mum had a full hysterectomy at 34 due to Cervical Cancer and my sister had cancerous cells removed at 35

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are related to high-risk HPV infection so family history typically isn't relevant. I'd push that worry aside for now.

Your symptoms could be related to a number of benign conditions of the uterus or cervix. Easier said than done (I know!), but try not to let your anxiety run rampant and DO NOT Google. No reason to scare yourself unnecessarily.

You've smartly taken the first step by booking an appointment with your GP. Hopefully you'll have answers soon and can get things sorted. Sorry you're feeling unwell; take care.

Has anyone mentioned endometriosis? I had the extreme pain during (and immediately after) sex with that before being treated. I also had pelvic pain, constantly exhausted and feeling unwell.

Firstly thank you, I wasn't sure how relevant the family history bit was - so you've put my mind at ease a little that it's not really! :-).

Secondly I've read a few of these threads that have turned out to be Endometriosis , can I ask is this something you just developed suddenly? I've never had these symptoms before and have been sexually active since I was 18.

I'm used to feeling generally a bit rubbish and tired so it's hard to know what's what (I also have Inflammatory arthritis and suspected fibromyalgia) it's just the during sex bit that's been worrying me the most plus obviously it's just not pleasant for either party.

Thank you both for your replies, I am autistic and since I heard that C word I think I've been letting myself hyper focus on it a bit too much and getting myself more and more worried. Thank you again for your kindness and taking the time.

The GP actually called after this post and said due to the symptoms (I had to provide it all at triage) she would like to get me in asap to do a physical exam so I'm in at 10am tomorrow Xx

Glad you're seeing the doctor tomorrow and hopefully she can put your mind at rest a little. It's hard to say exactly when my endo symptoms started - I'm 50 now but I was 27 when diagnosed and treated. The most striking symptom was the pain during and after sex, but I hadn't had sex for a couple of years and had just started a new relationship. However, I'd been sexually active since age of 17 before that and never had the pain/pelvic symptoms before. So whether I'd had it for a while or not it must have come on quite suddenly if you see what I mean.

I kept going to the GP and they were next to useless (though this was early 2000s). Eventually, I watched a documentary randomly about endometriosis and the penny dropped. I managed to get the GP to refer me to a gynaecologist (and at time had private health) and he agreed my symptoms matched up. I had a laparoscopy to check if there were endometrial deposits, there were and he blasted them out, and then I went on the Pill for a very long time! No pain during sex, no horrendous periods or pelvic pain. I'm sure things have come on leaps and bounds by now though, and they have other ways of diagnosing/treating too.

Paperback , thanks so much for replying.
Oh really? Isn't that strange how it can just start like that!
This is very interesting to know though and gives me faith it could be something similar and not as serious (although not pleasant!)
I'm sorry that it took so long for you to get the answers you needed but I'm glad you finally did and are living a pain free and pleasant life now :-)
That's so interesting how you found your answers through a documentary!

I went through a similar experience with my autism , I was misdiagnosed with a string of other mental health issues before hand by all different physiologists then I happened to see a new one one day and he said 'I think your autistic' and just as yourself I did some research into it and sure enough sounded like me. Went through the relevant assessment process and got diagnosed in my late 20's , I'm glad I had done that research as it made it easier for me to see the signs in my own daughter who had her diagnosis at 11 and will hopefully have an easier ride with the support she needs that I didn't get Xx

Sorry it took so long for your autism to be diagnosed, but I'm glad your daughter got the diagnosis much earlier and all the support that will entail. I'm not bothered by the endometriosis any more but annoyingly was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. However, it was caught very early, removed through surgery, I then had some preventative radiotherapy and am now on the road to recovery. But it's why I'm kicking around the cancer section of MN!

Good luck at the doctors tomorrow xx

I would say endometriosis as well

Paperback omgosh you've really been through the ringer!!! I'm glad you're mostly all sorted now and on the way to recovery! Thank goodness it was caught early.
I wish you all the good health in the world from here on out! :-) Take Care.

Teaandtoast - Thank you, I'm going to look into Endometriosis now I'm sat down for the evening!
Trying to look at anything important is ni on impossible with two bouncy girls screaming at every firework through the window :P

I'll update here tomorrow when I've been to the doctor's too in case anyone happens upon this thread and has something similar going on :-)

Thanks Welshmuma and definitely update us tomorrow. Good luck with the fireworks and excitable girls! xx

Morning ladies.

Just came back from my GP appointment - she went through all symptoms, did a urine sample (Protein and white blood cells present) and took vaginal swabs.
She said my cervix looks red and inflamed and there are abnormalities.
She's made an urgent referral to gynecology and for a vaginal ultrasound scan.
Also booked in for full bloods.

So no real answers either way just more investigation to be done.

I was hoping I would just go in and she would see a polyp or something and it would all be down to that , or maybe it was an STI that had been dormant for years and missed on the test, but not the case.

Just gotta try not to worry now and wait for all the appointments. Thank You Xx

Thanks for updating @welshmuma - it sounds like she's been extremely thorough, which is great, and I know it's horrible waiting for tests and results but there is a really good chance you don't have anything worrying. Most times when people have tests they don't. Sending you a big hug xx

Thank you so much for your kind reply, I am reading lots of positive story's here which is making me feel a lot better 🙂 . I'll update further when I know anything. Hope you are well xx

@welshmuma how are you? I am on the 2wk referral for similar symptoms.

Hey @welshmuma, how have you been since then?

How is everyone? I’ve been having symptoms for years and they won’t give me a colposcopy.

clear smears.
normal ultrasound
normal
hysteroscopy and biopsy of womb

x

@Mrsworried1: can you go for a colposcopy privately? That’s what I did on Monday. Waiting on Biopsy results now.

I didn’t know I could without seeing a private gynaecologist? How can I do this x

Sorry didn’t see this! You can just look up private gynecologists near you and contact them. If you aren’t with Bupa etc, it comes with a fee but much quicker than the NHS usually.

Hey, did you get any answers? I found 2 lumps on my cervix 2 days ago, rang my gp this morning and I have an appointment with a doctor in 5 days and I really don't like waiting! Hope it all turned out well for you

I don’t think the OP has come back but for me personally, I had a colposcopy and biopsies and turned our HPV positive but no cell changes. Hope you get good results.

Hey fmlgirl, did you have lumps on your cervix too? My last smear was HPV negative in sept 2023

Your symptoms could be caused by so many different things.
A change in bowel movements and exhaustion.. I’ve had this, it was a IBS and low iron levels.
pain during sex and severe labour type pain. Again I’ve had this, to the point I went to hospital convinced I could feel the head crowning. It was caused by cysts on my ovaries, when they burst they can cause contractions.
Bleeding during sex, I’ve had this a couple of times. It did end up being related to cells on my cervix but they were removed and that fixed the issue. It’s been 13 years. Saying that I’ve also had bleeding between periods and during sex and it’s been down to an issue with contraception.