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Original poster

Cervical ectropion

24 replies

Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 14:50

Hi. I have just been told i have cervical ectropion. i have symptoms with my cervical ectropion like bleeding after sex and vaginal discharge. I have been researching and now im so scared. Does anybody else have cervical ectropion and been ok many years later?

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 09/05/2021 14:53

I have it. It's nothing to worry about. My gynae told me it's a normal physiology and easily treated if it bothers me. I had a biopsy and that was normal so I'm leaving it as I'm ttc. If it bothers me in the future I can be referred for treatment.

Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 15:17

Hi hun i had a biopsy too which was normal. Im just so upset after reading things online. I have private messaged you

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 09/05/2021 15:21

What have you read that has made you worry?
It's not linked to cervical cancer. There's a good patient information leaflet online by guys and st Thomas's hospital.

Molehillfromamountain · 09/05/2021 15:27

I have it, I also have CIN3 cell changes (had, they were removed a few days ago.)
The two are not related and the ectropion doesn't seem to concern my gynaecologist at all.
What have you read online that has you so worried?

Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 15:35

Basically i was on google and reading about cervical ectropion. On the jos trust cervical cancer website a lady said theres a macmillan book that say cervical ectropion first appears and then it tales 10 to 15 years to turn cancerous. Then another website said some medical professionals say ectropion is normal and you dont need treatment but others say have treatment to prevent cervical cancer. Oh and another website from about 20 years ago that said cervical cancer is often found in cervical ectropion.

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 09/05/2021 15:40

It literally says on the Jo's trust website that it's not linked to cancer.
All nhs info says it's not linked.
Articles from 20 years ago are not relevant in medical terms as things move on so fast. When I did my nursing degree we couldn't use articles over 10 years old.

Cervical ectropion
Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 15:46

Oh really. Yes thats what i dont understand. I think people on forums are linking the two together because they have had both. I just wish i never went on google. Should have just trusted the gp and gynaecologist.

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 09/05/2021 15:50

I've read the posts on the forum. It's their experiences and opinions but it's what not what gynaecologists say about ectropion.
I'm not sure about the macmillan book but those post on the forum are quite old. I can't find anything on the macmillan website.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 09/05/2021 15:54

I have it. I was told it’s nothing to worry about at all. She said the only reason she was even mentioning it was in case I had bleeding after sex and was worried.

TryingToKeepSmilingEveryDay · 09/05/2021 15:58

I’ve had 2 ectropians, 5 years apart. Both times two different gynaecologists said they were nothing to worry about and they only need treating if they cause you symptoms. Cancer was never mentioned at all. There is no link. It is caused by sensitive cells migrating to your cervix which bleed on contact. My first ectropian was frozen off and it fixed my symptoms. When I had the same bleeding after sex 5 years later, it was found I had a new ectropian in a different place to the first. This one was dealt with by painting on silver nitrate solution. All fixed, no follow ups.

I think you can be more prone to ectropians especially if you take the pill or have hormonal issues.

Don’t worry at all, you will be fine!!

Molehillfromamountain · 09/05/2021 16:01

As others have said Jo's Trust is anecdotal experiences, they posters may have had both ectropion and CIN changes.
It is CIN which may turn into cervical cancer in 10-15 years.
If your biopsy was clear then you don't have CIN changes so I'd say you are in a good position.

Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 16:36

Yes guys thankyou for reassuring me. I think my anxiety has a part to play in this. I just wish i could stop thinking about it.

OP posts:
Molehillfromamountain · 09/05/2021 16:59

Its easy to let your mind run away (especially when you Google) hopefully you can relax a bit about the ectropion now.
Having a normal biopsy result is great news too, focus on the positive.

gurglebelly · 09/05/2021 17:01

I had one in 2007, had a colposcopy which took about 3 times as long as it should have done, but have been absolutely fine ever since

gurglebelly · 09/05/2021 17:02

And I had mine treated after some night stand resembled a crime scene 🤣

Spied · 09/05/2021 17:06

I had/have ectropian which was found after I went to the GP with post coital bleeding.
A biopsy was taken at colposcopy and I had CIN changes.
I was also told they are not linked.
It's great your biopsy is normal.

Lottapianos · 09/05/2021 17:08

I have a cervical ectropion. The only problem it caused me was bleeding after sex. I had cervical cryotherapy (freezing cervical cells with liquid nitrogen) to treat it and the bleeding has stopped. No other problems

Ahbump · 09/05/2021 17:10

I had smear last week and was told I had this , nurse said dont google! Worried me

Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 17:26

Thankyou so much ladies for the support. It means a lot to me. I just need to stop worrying about it. I am going to put my trust in the NHS websites and gp. Its just so hard when you have anxiety and cant stop.the worrying .but i will try my best to stay calm.

OP posts:
gurglebelly · 09/05/2021 17:31

@Ahbump

I had smear last week and was told I had this , nurse said dont google! Worried me
Google a headache and you'll be convinced you have a brain tumour! A google search will ALWAYS end at stage 4 cancer or some other life threatening illness, because that is the worst case scenario. But 99.9% will be something else/something less severe
Original poster
Laura6521 · 09/05/2021 17:42

True. Thanks for helping me x

OP posts:
RainOnMe79 · 09/05/2021 18:32

I had cervical erosion picked up when I was having a smear. I went home and googled and was terrified but my results came back all normal. I also came on here to ask about it was reassured it was okay

S22 · 23/07/2024 20:29

I have an erosion too, does anyone know if this causes a lot of discharge ?? It looks white/ cheat when I look at it or wipe but my paints get stained beigey colour , have discharge daily , damp pants . Bv thrush swabs all negative which o knew would be as these more chronic

Opentooffers · 23/07/2024 20:56

Lol, there could end up being a link to cancer, but not how you'd think and only as a possibility. Cervical ectropion is thought to be cased by high levels of oestrogen, so more common in young and pregnant women. Interestingly, I had one around late 40's - unusual age but then perimenopause could make it go up as much as down. Still having regular periods by 52, but also diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer - also promoted by high oestrogen, coincidence?
Not that having high levels of oestrogen will give everyone breast cancer, and usually its a good thing to have hormones.
Can go away by itself in time, but can also have treatment if it bothers you, it's benign, no link to cervical cancer.

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