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Original poster

Cervical ectropion

14 replies

Meganhall · 16/04/2022 02:02

Hi i have a cervical ectropion with symptoms like bleeding after sex, vaginal discharge and pain during and after sex. I am waiting to get it treated. The NHS website says cervical ectropion is not linked to cervical cancer. However after reading other websites i have began to feel worried. Has anybody had cervical ectropion with symptoms and been ok?

OP posts:
UsernameAlreadyTaken101 · 16/04/2022 02:48

Yes I had this. Please don't worry. I was told I could have a treatment to freeze the cells or just leave it to go away on its own. I just left it and everything was fine. This was several years ago and I have had smear tests and IVF treatment since then that have never shown any issues . Hope that helps to reassure you.

Minniemouse85 · 16/04/2022 03:40

Hi op.
I had cervical cancer (stage 1a1) in 2010, treated with 2x lletz and no probs since until September when I had some irregular bleeding and some pain . I thought it had come back so saw gp who looked and said she was fairly certain it was just an ectropian but referred me for a smear at the hospital by a gynaecologist. I had this and she confirmed an ectropian and I had the silver nitrate treatment. The irregular bleeding and pain has stopped. I have read it can come back but I feel loads better. I had my normal routine smear in feb and all was clear.

Original poster
Meganhall · 17/04/2022 17:12

Hi ladies. Mine isn't going away and that is what is worrying me. I already had treatment for it and it still came back. I asked my gynaecologist if cervical ectropion causes cervical cancer and she said 'no not on its own'. I do not know what she means by that as the NHS say its not linked to cervical cancer. Maybe she means if you have something else with the cervical ectropion like hpv. I have hpv too. Or maybe she means cervical ectropion with symptoms can cause cervical cancer. I don't know. I just feel even more worried now about the cervical ectropion after what the gynaecologist said.

OP posts:
Ains42 · 06/07/2022 18:27

Do you mind me asking how you are getting on with this? And what age group you are in?. I wrongly thought cervical ectropion was mainly in younger women, i am 43 after eight weeks of on off thrush pelvic inflammation, heavy discharge. Blood test/ vaginal test for std etc all negative. the doctor has told me he now suspects it is Cervical Ectropion for the redness on the cervix and potential fibroids in the pelvis.. he's completely ruled out anything sinister without smear or colposcopy. Like you this does concern me that such assumptions are made without thorough investigation. I now await a ultra scan for the potential fibroid which under the NHS Urgent referral is running at 11 weeks lead time and referred to the gyno for cervical ectropion eblasion (assuming this diagnosis is correct) NHS lead time 24 weeks.
Feeling stressed and worried right now is an understatement.

DasAlteLeid · 07/07/2022 22:18

I was referred for a colposcopy due to ‘abnormalities’ on my cervix seen when being investigated for a one-off spotting episode and back pain, turns out it was good old ectropion, so could’ve saved myself weeks of worry! I’m in my early 40s too. Ectropion is common all round, in anyone who is in their fertile years really, and is more common in those with high oestrogen or who are on hormonal birth control (which can create higher oestrogen levels ). This is why it’s often found in younger women on the pill/naturally have more oestrogen than older women.

my ectropion was cauterised, had no issues with it since. I tested negative for abnormal cells at the colposcopy but positive for HPV, so I need another smear next year to check on that (was due anyway!).

Basically, true ectropion has nothing to do with cervical cancer, it’s just benign cervical cells growing on the outside of your cervix instead of just on the inside.

DasAlteLeid · 07/07/2022 22:23

@Ains42 I would ask for the GP to recommend a colposcopy at the gynae ectropion appointment… if they suspect anything sinister at the appointment I imagine they would do one anyway, but best to get it formally referred in case the gynae you were going to see hasn’t kept up their colposcopy qualifications (they have to do them regularly apparently!).

I wouldn’t worry unduly if you’ve kept up with your smears and they’ve been clear, nearly all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and it is also incredibly slow going, it’s very very rare for a cervix that has been checked and smeared regularly to contain cancerous cells. My GP said in 30 years of practice she had only ever seen one cancerous one, she said it was obvious just by looking at it and the patient was an elderly woman who had never had it checked in her life.

DasAlteLeid · 07/07/2022 22:24

*slow growing, not slow going

Ains42 · 07/07/2022 22:33

Thank you so much for this detailed response, this is a great help.

DasAlteLeid · 07/07/2022 22:46

No worries. Ring your GP and ask why he thought it was ectropion and nothing else, he will probably be able to reassure you further (but don’t get fobbed off if you want the reassurance of a colposcopy!). Remember most GPs have seen a lot of cervices, so they can use their experience to judge things that would make us panic! And if you have kept up with your smears, even if you do have cell changes they’re not going to be actual cervical cancer cells as it grows so slowly, which is why we’re only checked every three years. Abnormal or borderline cells only mean they’re cells that COULD eventually become cancerous if left, which is why they get removed via the LLETZ procedure ☺️

mistermagpie · 08/07/2022 07:25

I have ectropian, the GP told me it was related to years and years on the pill. The symptoms (bleeding stuff mainly) improved massively when I went off the pill actually so I am not sure it can be cured but it can improve.

It did cause a lot of bleeding during my three pregnancies though and I could have done without that worry, but otherwise it's not an issue.

KangarooKenny · 08/07/2022 07:27

I had it about 18 years ago. Had it treated under GA and it never came back.
Consultant said it was caused by hormones.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 08/07/2022 07:47

Basically, true ectropion has nothing to do with cervical cancer, it’s just benign cervical cells growing on the outside of your cervix instead of just on the inside.

This!

I have had mine since my first pregnancy over 10 years ago. I have had a nitrate treatment that didn't work (I was told they don't always). Other than bleeding in pregnancy my only symptom is spotting before my period. I am now in peri and some months I get no spotting. Colposcopy and regular smear tests all clear.

gamerchick · 08/07/2022 07:53

I get it. Spotting a few days before period and during smears. A lass at the GUM clinic showed me some funky pictures of cervix and was properly reassuring. It's not something I give much thought to. It's a handy indicator for when peri period is coming since the bugger does what it wants these days

Karohps · 13/02/2023 19:40

Hey I just saw your reply, just wondered if you ever went back to get treated again. I got treated mine removed early this month but I’m spotting again before periods are due ( that was my issue the middle cycle spotting ). And now wonder if I need to have it treated again …

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