No strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks after colposcopy. Really 4-6 weeks?

[nevergoogle]

Was hoping to ride my bike. What constitutes 'strenuous' anyway?

TIA

Where did you hear that? I have never been told that and I have them every 6 months!

Was it just a colposcopy that you had - no biopsy or anything else done at the same time?

If it was I am unsure why they told you this, I have them every year and have never been told that either.

it's on the letter from the hospital.

I assume they'll be doing biopsies?

I've had a few colposcopies and only had to rest after the one with a biopsy and my 2 LLETZ treatments (although that was GA), had a few days off each time.

Certainly don't recall being told to rest for 6 weeks . Before I had DC's I never missed more than a week at the gym. In fact, I went paintballing a week after one LLETZ treament, which I don't recommend as it triggered the bleeding.

I had one a year ago and I remember the letter saying "will take an hour" and "best to rest afterwards".

Mine was pretty similar experience to a slightly more intense smear test. Took 10 mins and I walked out and went straight to work. No problem. I cycle a lot too (not that day) but no problems.

ok, just re-read. it's no strenuous exercise, sexual intercourse or swimming for 2-4 weeks

still, seems excessive no?

the appointment is next friday.

After a colpo? I had one and did strenuous exercise within days, as soon as my body felt right. I had biopsies done, too.

I have biopsies every time and have never been told to even rest - have never had a letter saying to abstain from sex or exercise. If you have never had one before don't worry I am sure you will be fine, you will probably have even forgotten you had it done a day or two later. My advice would be to take a couple of pain killers half an hour before your appointment - I doubt they are strictly necessary but I think it can sometimes help.

I think they're covering themselves in case you have a biopsy.

I had colopscopies from 2004 to 2011 and don't recall reading anything like that for a standard colposcopy .

i had one in 2008. and I don't remember those instructions.
i do remember it being very uncomfortable though and being sore for a few days.

Yes I had a couple with cone biopsy and was told nothing strenuous, no sex and....would you believe....no flying for 4-6 weeks. Has anyone else been told no flying?

If it is just colposcopy though, no need for that I don't think.

They don't seem as uncomfortable to me any more, I am probably just used to it. Take a couple of pain killers before and do tell them if you find it too uncomfortable.

would it be foolish to arrange to lead a bike ride for 16 days after the colposcopy?

No. Is it near London?! I'm looking for a bike ride...

no, not near london this one. but have a look on www.goskyride.com/breeze for similar.

You don't need to rest up after colposcopy - that's just a smear test with a microscope and camera. You may well need to rest up a little after the treatment that they do at the same time as a colposcopy in a see-and-treat clinic (if they find something to treat). How long you need to rest depends entirely on how much tissue they remove, where the tissue is and how your body recovers. Only a total idiot would have sex straight after having had a chunk of cervix removed and the open wound cauterised, unless they wanted a nasty infection and a bloody mess on their bedsheets. As for other exercise, I think most people find they can go back to normal daily activities more or less straight away and more strenuous exercise very soon afterwards (normally much closer to something either side of the 2 weeks than 4). However, going back to vigorous exercise too soon does risk dislodging the scab created by the cauterisation (ie the area of burnt tissue that is stopping the damaged vessels from bleeding), which could cause you to haemorrhage blood and have to go back to be recauterised, not to mention increase the risk of an infection. You don't yet know whether you will be in the majority who can get back to normal business within a few days or one of the minority who will have to wait a month before it is safe to do so.

ring them up on monday and ask whether this is a standard leter to anyone with an appointment in the department or whether it is specific for you ( if specific for you would be a bit foolish to ignore advice) you have an appointment again in 5 days could you avoid for 5 days and ask next friday the reasons for it?
there just maybe sometihng a bit different from standard that you had done hence extra precautions but ask before doing big bike ride

ah cheers nevergoogle!

thanks all. i will ask at the appointment.
i'm just being impatient, the bike rides can wait until the new year if i need to.