Colposcopy - what to expect please?

[blondissimoismarried]

I have an appointment for the 26th for a colposcopy and possibly further treatment as a smear test showed up moderate cell changes. I am pretty worried, however I do know that this treatment is best done rather than leave it etc. I also realise that this is quite common, as two of my friends and my sister have all had this carried out. My main reason for posting is that i am having this the day before my birthday and I really just want to know if I am going to spend my birthday curled up in pain and bleeding. I am also planning a day out the day after my birthday (2 days after procedure) and I really don't want to have to cancel.
The other thing is that I am really squeamish with anything down below and absolutely detest smears and internals, which obviously makes it more painful as I tense up. Does anyone know of any relaxation techniques to help this?
And finally (sorry for all the muddled up questions!), how long before you can have sex after the procedure?
Thank you!

I've had a couple of these for cell changes like you. They are not the most comfortable things to have done, but no lasting effects in my cases, so no need to cancel your birthday plans.

It was just like a more 'involved' smear test, really. Took a bit longer, you could feel a bit more 'moving around' as they have to put a camera/microscope up there. It stings a bit when they stain the cells so they can see them, but apart from that it is really no worse than a smear test IME, just takes a bit longer.

I had a colposcopy years ago and it was just like having a smear tbh.

If you have to have any cells removed, then you might have a loop excision, which does leave you with bleeding for a little while, but they won't do that on the day of the colposcopy, you'll be booked in for day surgery if you need that.

Can't help on the sex question as I didn't ask when I had mine done! But based on comfort, I don't see any reason why you couldn't give it a go the next day. In the colposcopy, they are just looking at the cells and maybe taking a swab/small sample, not removing any large amounts or doing anything surgical, so you should be fine.

Good luck!

Hi
The colposcopists' association has a website which says to abstain for 4 weeks. The colposcopy is the same as the smear test, but if you have a treatment such as a LLETZ then it can be achy like period pain.

Hope it goes well, stock up on ibuprofen.

i had a colposcopy a few years ago due to an abnormal smear. they treated me in the same appointment which was unexpected. i had a local anesthetic and the abnormal cells were burnt away with a laser. it was painless at the time and for a couple of hours after but once the anesthetic wore off it was very painful for a couple of days.

Hi Blondi..

I agree it is just a more detailed smear, and if they do want to do a loop excision they may well do it at the same time - they do in our hospital. It saves you coming back and you get the results quicker. They do give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area, so it shouldn't be painful.

As for afterwards, you may well bleed for a few days and a discharge is normal for 3-4 weeks. You should avoid vigorous exercise including swimming and sex, and also use towels instead of tampons - due to a risk of infection. Once the discharge stops it has healed and you are free to do as you choose!

So, depending on what you have planned for your birthday or the day after you might want to postpone something... you could always ask the hospital if they have any cancellations the following week?

Good luck!

I had a colposcopy in July.

I'd booked myself out of work for the day and in the waiting room a woman was on her mobile talking to her office saying she'd be in shortly so I was a bit feeling really bad that I was having a whole day off for it.

And I must admit I could have gone to work following the procedure but didn't [norty emoticon].

So, as above a bit more than a smear but when it's done it's done.

Don't cancel your plans and don't worry about it.

Also had it with laser treatment on the same appointment.

Didn´t feel the anaesthetic at all.

Pretty heavy bleeding after, brown and smelt of burnt flesh to me!
That was the worst thing.

Was fine apart from period pains which paracetamol took care of.

Think I was told 6wks before sex allowed.
Also, I think no tampons for a time?

I was scared-told staff and held nurses hand allmost of the time.

Thank you all for your advice.

From what I can gather, the colposcopy itself would not cause any problems, so if it is just that then I should be ok.

But I think that because I have moderate cell changes that treatment will need to be done and I think they prefer to do it there and then, but I wonder if I can ask if they can fit me in the next week for that bit so that it doesn't spoil my weekend? I know that it is my health at risk, but I'm sure that a few days wouldn't make too much difference.

Are you allowed to have your partner in the room? I absolutely do not want to look at a monitor of it happening!

TBH, I would get it done if necessary.

I had CN11 and had laser treatment.

Worse thing was the smell.

I walked home & had a wedding dress fitting that afternoon.

Didn´t look at the monitor, but just chatted to the nurse who´s hand I was crushing holding.

I don´t really remember getting a choice re treatment.

I think once you have been referred for this they expect(?) to treat on the day as part of the colposcopy.

Thanks diddl

That's what I imagined too, that they would do it there and then. I suppose I'll just have to go with the flow and get it done. I'm only going up to London to the theatre - it's not like I am going for a weekend of mountain climbing or something!

The other thing I am wondering is, once they have carried out the treatment, do you have to wait for more results, or do you just go back for another smear in 6 months or something? Or is it different for each person? I just feel a bit confused about it all.

For me it was a smear 6 months later.

Hi
Depending on how busy their clinic lists are, they may be happy with delaying treatment (if they think you need it) for a few days or a week. It shouldn't make a difference, although they can't do any treatment whilst you're menstruating.
Many colposcopy units do 'see and treat' but not all. They do understand that people have lives as well - it has to be a balance between that and what changes the colposcopist thinks are taking place on your cervix.
If they treat then the area removed is sent to the histology lab (they're the sibling to us in cytology) where it's processed and dyed to make it easier to assess microscopically. It can be a few weeks for the results to come back to you. Depending on what they show, you'll need further follow smears, but the time interval varies.
HTH

Just to add.
My bleeding was pretty heavy.
Might be advisable to invest in a couple of maternity pads.

Especially as you´re going out & don´t want to be feeling as if your pads won´t last through the theatre performance-or til the interval.

its just like a smear.
ive just had a loop diathermy which i have to say has been a nuisance as it has not stopped bleeding and caused me two emergency visists to A and E for blood loss.

a colposcopy itself shouldn't hurt much more than a smear as it is really just a way of looking at your cervix more closely rather than being invasive (less invasive than a smear really!). might be a tiny bit of spotting and you may have a dull ache but i wouldn't expect it to ruin your birthday plans. i speak as someone who is on 6 monthly smears and colposcopy due to cell changes. they may do a biopsy to take a closer look which would be taking a tiny sample of cells. that would pinch when they do it, and then you might be more likely to have some spotting, but i've been right as rain next morning.

it is probably the lletz or laser therapy that would be a bit more painful and result in you needing time to recover. a few days wait for that will not make any difference if you'd rather delay after your birthday. i had colposcopy on monday and told treatment will likely be needed this time, but because i'm 5wks pg they will wait until after baby to treat, so if they are happy to wait 9 months, then a few days or week shouldn't be a problem.

Hi ladies,

I had a colposcopy and a biopsy done yesterday (only a lovely 6 week wait for the results now!) and it didn't hurt at all. It was a little uncomfortable (the biopsy being the worse part, which felt like being pinched) and was in a bit of discomfort for the rest of the day (no worse than period pains) but feel completely normal today, apart from the mild bleeding.

Thank you all for your comments. I was just wondering it will make a difference that my cell changes are moderate - my sister had borderline changes and she had a colposcopy and then went back to have the cells removed at a later date. Will it be more likely that I will have the treatment there and then because my cell changes are moderate?

Many colposcopy units do 'see and treat' but not all. They do understand that people have lives as well - it has to be a balance between that and what changes the colposcopist thinks are taking place on your cervix.
They need to check what the colposcopic assessment is before deciding to do treatment. You have the right to say you don't want treatment there and they can't force you to have treatment at that visit.
If you explain the situation at your consultation, then they will probably be fine about it - but it also depends on how busy they are. Some of our colp clinics have got 6 week waiting lists because it's been quite busy with referrals recently.
colposcopy leaflet
NHS CSP guidance no 20 has information about the guidance the screening programme works to about deciding when to treat.

I had a colposcopy years ago - I was terrified but it was fine - just get up and go.
It was followed up later with laser surgery using a local - didn't feel the local and the most unpleasant bit was the tube taking the smoke of my burning flesh - tube was passed around my face and you could smell burning which was scary.

Bleeding after but again - it was a get up and go job after.

They had to burn away quite a bit in my case - I was a bit crampy a few days after.