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Original poster

Cervical ectropion

16 replies

Rachelsmith12 · 10/01/2022 14:00

Hello. Basically i have cervical ectropion. I have symptoms with it which are bleeding after sex and lots of vaginal discharge. I am just thinking if i should get it treated or not as i have been told it can come back again. I just wondered if anyone had cervical ectropion and chose not to have it treated.

OP posts:

Original poster

Rachelsmith12 · 12/01/2022 02:54

Can anyone help?

OP posts:

SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 02:58

My sister has this. As far as I know she's not had treatment though. Sorry I can't be of much help. Has your doctor recommended treatment?

Original poster

Rachelsmith12 · 12/01/2022 08:40

Hi. Theyve asked me if i want treatment to stop the bleeding but im not sure if i should go ahead. Im just really worried about cervical ectropion too as i have been researching online. Some people saying it leads to cervical cancer

OP posts:

SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 08:53

I'm not sure of the correlation but my sister also has high risk HPV so has to have smears more often. There's not a lot else they can do as far as I'm aware, it just needs close monitoring. Have you had a smear recently?

INeedABarbieDreamhouse · 12/01/2022 09:01

I have this. Started December 2020 with the same symptoms as you, diagnosed finally in November 2021. I also have HPV and there was concern that it was something more sinister.

While they took a biopsy (which was thankfully clear) they treated it chemically and things have been much better since. I have to go back to the gynaecologist in November 2022 but can also chose the freeze / heat treatment in the meantime which doesn't feel necessary at the moment.

Sorry, possibly not much help but you're not on your own. I found it a really scary few months before diagnosis and with the HPV diagnosis.

Original poster

Rachelsmith12 · 12/01/2022 11:06

Hi my smear is clear but wish i could get over the cervical ectropion. My gp gynae have told me it doesnt cause cervical cancer but cant help worrying about it. I also had hpv but i am clear now

OP posts:

Ftl6 · 12/01/2022 11:25

I have it, although it’s never caused me any problems or bleeding etc. My GP noticed during an examination for a different reason. She was totally unconcerned, but sent me for a colposcopy just to be thorough. Both the GP and the gynaecologist who examined me said that there was no need to treat and no extra cancer risk. If it had caused pain or bleeding, then it might be worth it for comfort, but otherwise it’s harmless.

I haven’t had it treated and I don’t intend to.

Tinkles78 · 13/01/2022 15:16

Are you on the pill or anything? I have one, had no idea until the dr commented on it at a routine smear. It was commented on again when I had to see the gynaecologist after DC1 was born but no one has ever been concerned or said it needs further investigation.

I was told the pill may have caused it, but if it wasn't causing me any symptoms like bleeding after sex etc then it could just be left alone. All my smears have come back clear too.

ladyflower23 · 14/01/2022 18:58

I have a large area of ectropian causing bleeding in between my periods and after sex. Nurse said I could have treatment but I'm a wimp so said no! That was around 6 months ago and since then the bleeding has become heavier. I'm due a smear now so going to ask for a referral when I go for that.

northernshite · 14/01/2022 19:11

I've been treated for it twice a few years ago. First time didn't really work but I've been fine since the second time. I tend to bleed at smear tests but haven't needed them more often. One treatment was freezing and one was cauterisation but I don't remember which one worked.

Titanium2013 · 15/01/2022 17:52

I had an ectropian which would cause cramping and bleeding which needed a sanitary pad. I had this frozen using cryotherapy. I now have a scar on my cervix but it has never come back. It was slightly uncomfortable at the time having it done and I had about a week of defrosting lol. Period like cramps and needing to wear Tena lady were worth it though. Then after having my dd, I had the same symptoms again. This time it was in a different place on my cervix. I saw a different gynae who wanted to use silver nitrite instead. So she basically painted over the area, no pain at all. For a few weeks I’d have a silvery discharge, but I haven’t had any problems since.

So, don’t be scared, get it treated and you’ll feel so much happier. There is no link to cancer and my smears have always been clear.

Original poster

Rachelsmith12 · 16/01/2022 20:14

Thankyou for all your comments. Im just going to get it treated. Im not on the pill so dont know what caused my cervical ectropion but i just have to hope it goes away.

OP posts:

dogaibu · 21/01/2022 01:45

I had this, in my mid twenties. I'm late thirties now. I had a hysteroscopy under GA and the surgeon cauterized it. No issues now .

minipie · 21/01/2022 01:49

I have had this since late teens. I had it treated around age 21, with cauterisation, it did come back but less so.

gooseygoosey12345 · 04/02/2022 16:52

I've just been diagnosed with this so this thread is really helpful. I do intend to have it treated, there are apparently 3 treatment options. I figure having 10 mins maximum of discomfort is worth not having symptoms. Glad to hear there's no correlation with cancer too as my smears have always been clear too.

BelaLug0si · 05/02/2022 00:00

Some background information to explain what is happening in your bodies.
A cervical ectropian is a normal part of your cervix.
At puberty, and with hormonal changes, the cervix increases in volume.
The outer part of the cervix that joins the vagina is called the ectocervix and is covered with squamous epithelium as protective function.
The inner part of the cervix (the endocervix) is the canal which joins to the uterus and endometrial lining. This is lined by endocervical epithelium, which is glandular in type/function and secretes the mucus.
With the changes in volume, the cervix is pushed down and outwards and more of the endocervical epithelium comes outwards so it is now in the more acidic vagina environment.
To deal with this, the epithelium undergoes a process called metaplasia, where more squamous epithelium is produced by the woman's body to provide protection to the more delicate endocervical epithelium.
The area where the changes happen is known as the transformation zone.
The 'skin' here tends to remain thinner, with blood vessels close to the surface. It is more liable to infection and bleeds more readily.
This area of change, thinner 'skin' or epithelium is called an ectropian or ectropion or ectopy,

Being told you have an ectropian doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. It can be the reason why women get bleeding after sex - though any symptoms such as these should always see your GP.
As previous posters have mentioned, sometimes cauterisation is used to help stop the bleeding, its more successful for some women than others.

Jo's trust has a useful page on this www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervix/cervical-ectropion

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