cervical ectropion/erosion

[sunnysideup05]

I was diagnosed with this a couple of days ago after some mid-cycle spotting that has been going for a good few months. The GP examined my cervix and said, 'yep' you have an ectropion. My first question was whether this was linked to cervical cancer in any way, or a pre-cancer marker and she said absolutely not and that cervical cancer would present as bumpy looking. Of course, of course I googled and now I've been reading that because of how it looks ectropion can be easily confused with early stage cervical cancer and vice versa. I've also seen that many women diagnosed with ectropion are referred for a coloscopy, even with clear smear history, to confirm ectropion. My GP didn't suggest any kind of referral - she just to get back in touch if symptoms got worse. She didn't suggest doing another smear or anything. My last smear was a year ago and it was clear. Health anxiety kicking in and I'm now questioning whether I should have been referred for further examination.... can anyone reassure me?

Hi OP

I have a cervical ectropion which was discovered after I used to bleed a lot after sex. I had the ectropion treated at hospital but it did return, it is common after taking hormonal contraceptives. They are likely only to treat if it is massively effecting your life, eg bleeding a lot after sex or pain

If you are up to date with your smear then I wouldn’t be concerned at all.

thanks @glitterb - were you referred for further investigation when yours was discovered? I'm just a little concerned that i'm not being referred for a closer inspection.

@sunnysideup05 i got referred to have it treated due to the bloodbath everytime I had sex and I had pain. I also had my pill changed. I still have it but I only bleed when I have smears now for some reason!

I think you’re worrying yourself for no reason. An ectropion is categorically not cancerous or related to cancer at all.

You say “easily confused” like this is a common misdiagnosis, it’s really not. An ectropion and cervical cancer look completely different, particularly to a medical professional. And I’m not sure where you’re got “many women” from either, as a colposcopy isn’t mandatory with patients with an ectropion.

If you’re worried contact your GP.

Op, I saw my gp last week about irregular bleeding and after examining me she said my cervix was red. She said this could likely be an ectropian but would like to get it checked. She referred me under the two week wait which has terrified me!
Like you I had a clear smear a year ago but I'm now worried because the smear was just checked for hpv and as it was negative for that the cells were never examined.
Sorry I can't be of any help to you but just wanted to reply as your post resonated with me such a lot. I'm really jealous that your gp was confident about it being an ectropian. I feel like I've got a black cloud over me with this appointment hanging over me!

I had cervical erosion four years ago. My doctor said she was unconcerned but would do a referral - it was rejected by the hospital as I’d had a clear smear within the last 2 years. It went away on its own after 6 months or so and I haven’t had any further issues, further smears have all been clear so far.

Hi OP,

I had this too and wasn’t referred for any further investigations until I asked for colposcopy because the bleeding during sex started to get very annoying! It stopped after that and never came back. As far as I have been told they are very common and nothing to worry about. Hope that helps!

I had bleeding after sex and GP took a look and said it was likely an ectropian but she referred me to colposcopy to be sure.
I was due a smear but the colposcopy appointment came just prior to my smear appointment. Last ear 2017 was normal.
A biopsy was taken to check the cells and CIN1 was diagnosed.
I'm now unsure as to whether I actually have an ectropian or whether the cells look abnormal due to the Cin. I can't get a straight answer.
I am glad I was referred though and if you are worrying a lot about this I think it would be in your best interests to at least have some reassurance with a colposcopy appointment.

Just to add to my earlier post, I had one of these. GP diagnosed an ectropion and actioned a gynae referral to get it treated, we discussed the likely treatment options (silver nitrate, freezing etc)

At the referral (2 week urgent referral, merely as a formality) the consultant said my GP must have been really cautious, or it had already healed up within those 2 weeks, as my ectropion was tiny. She said they wouldn’t usually treat such a mild case. No coloscopy was necessary

Essentially what I took from that is that a gynae referral or treatment isn’t necessary for every ectropion - maybe yours was clear cut

Thanks so much everyone! Having heard everyone's stories, it's interesting to note that some ectropion are referred for further investigation and others are not. I can understand that some are very symptomatic and need to be treated and mine isn't too bad (just a bit of mid-cycle spotting), but some GPs seem to referring for confirmation of ectropion over anything more sinister. I guess this was my worry: that my GP isn't doing that and it would be nice to have the peace of mind.

@ShellsandSunrises - it's interesting that your referral was rejected on the basis of a clear smear in the last two years, @ScarlettDarling, maybe that would also apply to you, if you, like me, had a clear smear a year ago. I would try not to worry, I think you're lucky to have a referral to have a thorough investigation/peace of mind!

@sunnysideup05

Have you got an update? Similar thing has happened to me. Been told I have a cervical ectropian however I also have some pelvic pain.
I wasn’t referred and I am due a smear this August.

I’m also on Nexplanon implant and have never heard of this before.

I am a bit worried 😢 I’ve had bad pelvic pain this week (I haven’t had this pain before). I am awaiting an ultrasound.

I have it but don’t experience any symptoms so I wasn’t referred and thankfully my smears come back clear. I was just told to contact gp if anything changes.

Have you had a baby? I had an ectropian after my last pregnancy ( I actually think I also had one for a while after my first as similar symptoms), Lots of spotting and hideous pain after sex and around my period. Dr spotted the ectropian when baby was about ten months. I’d already had three clear smear tests to rule anything out at this point but I asked to be referred as it was causing me so much discomfort. 4 months later Gynaecologist appointment has just come through but actually I think it might have finally resolved itself as haven’t had any pain at all for about a month, They do tend to clear themselves but I think you can also have them burnt off if they’re causing bother. From everything I have read they’re not serious

@Notwithittoday

What sort of pain did it cause?

It was like insides of my vagina were swollen and dragging pain. Very painful

@sunnysideup05 Did this ever resolve itself? Just my GP has done exactly the same to me last week after having some bleeding after sex. Basically looked said its an ectropion and sent me on my way no further refferal or anything. I'm the same as you a little anxious about how they are so certain.

Hi I’m just wondering if I’m allowed to post pics on here of my cervix I was speculating my cervix tonight and noticed red I searched up online and looks like it could be cervix ectropion and I’m concerned incase there’s something wrong with me or is this normal to look how it does it’s first time I ever seen a cervix I didn’t know what it was until I researched tonight and I’m quite embarrassed

@Shellym96 i haven’t got an issue with it but are you sure you mean your cervix? Don’t think it’s physically possible to take a photo of your own cervix as it’s inside you