Another abnormal smear - minor changes - Colposcopy required again :(

[Insomnia11]

I have had a few abnormal smears over the years, one in my early 20s, then one more recently just after I'd had DD2 2 years ago, had a colposcopy then which confirmed only minor changes (CIN1) , so no treatment was required. Then had a couple of normal smear results (had to have them every six months since then) but just now had another with minor changes - probably CIN1 again but I have to go for another colposcopy to find out. Not that I minded the last one too much, bit embarassing but not painful.

Is there anything I can do or do I just have to put up with having more regular smears and colposcopies? Should I have the laser treatment this time to get rid of the cells even if it is only minor changes - will this prevent it happening again? I have just changed from the Pill to the copper coil - do I have to have it removed for the colposcopy? Could that have caused the changes?

I believe it's quite normal to have borderline changes so if anyone has any experience of this I'd be grateful to hear about it.

I have had abnormal smears for the last 13 years . I have had one colposcopy and one cone biopsy thing (?)
I have resigned myself to the fact that I will have to have them every 6 months for the rest of my days, in fact I have one tomorrow.
The nurse who did the last one said that since Jade Goody died they are a lot more stringent and call people back a lot more now, just to be on the safe side.
Regarding the coil I had smears while I had a coil in place and it didn't affect it at all, they used to check the coil while they were up there too.

You don't mention whether you do but have the colposcopy staff talked to about smoking & if so quitting?

Sometimes an IUD/IUCD aka the coil can cause inflammation, which can show slight changes in the cervical cells - this can be a reason for borderline changes.

Around 6-7% of all results are borderline changes and mild dyskaryosis (out about 4 million women tested every year) so it is pretty common.
See if you can have a chat with the colposcopy staff about what they recommend - e.g. treatment as you mentioned.
The other thing to be aware of it that HPV testing is gradually being brought in so you might be offered that (depending on your area).

i just had a loop excision not great fun but no big deal either, if you do have treatment then make sure you take some one with you because you will feel weird and wobbly after. i cant see how they would be able to do the treatment with a coil in though. i am putting off getting mine put in till my result are back i had cn2 though so a bit different. they dont tend to treat cn1 unless they come back consistently so it might just be a case of more regular smears to see if they go back to normal by themselves.

Thanks all. No I don't smoke - interesting re the HPV and the coil causing inflammation. Must say the coil has been brilliant so far though. Had first proper period since having it fitted last week and it wasn't particularly heavy.

I have just been surfing the net for info as I have got my first colposcopy in 2 weeks (CN1 changes) and was really worried. But as ever mumsnet has put my mind at rest!
thanks

Yeah, I have been CIN3 and 2 for about 5 years, know the nurse quite well now. Athough it's a PITA to go every six months I know I'm being well monitored, have had one lot of hospital treatment so far, hated it but was being stupid as it was absolutely fine. Good luck at colposcopy, vinegar on chips smell different to me now!!