Pre cancerous cervix treatment

[Newbie2808]

Hi all!

So after a positive hpv result and abnormal cells identified during my smear test I had a colposcopy with biopsies taken which identified cin2 pre cancerous cells.

Feel so fortunate this has been identified before it turned cancerous however I have to have the cells burnt off my cervix.

Having never been through this nor knowing anyone who has I have no idea what to expect other than what Google comes up with (I know I shouldn’t look at this).

Proceedure is in around a months time so I am trying to prepare myself, if anyone has been through similar is there any advice you can offer or anything I should be considering for afterwards?

All advice appreciated, thank you!

Ok I had that done for cin 2. You are sat in this reclining chair thing with legs akimbo ( special footrests for them) there is a monitor so the staff can see your cervix and they have a speculum same as smear test and use a little thin wand thing to burn the cells off. It doesn't hurt, more undignified than anything.

I had a lovely nurse by my side talking to me throughout while the doctor did the treatment.

Afterwards to put your clothes back on and they recommend a sanitary towel in case you bleed slightly ( I didn't)

Then continue with your day

Thank you @Thechaseison71 so the bleeding 4-6 weeks is just nonsense Google as usual? After biopsies I did feel quite worn out as they couldn’t get the bleeding to stop so was in the chair longer than normal (according to the doctor, I have no basis for comparison).

was mainly worried about the bleeding and anxious about the scale to expect but that really reassures me so thank you very much!

Hey sorry you're having to deal with this. I had the same thing and the first reply described it really well. I did bleed for about 24 hours and had cramps like period cramps. I took the afternoon off work as I wanted to rest and felt off. Was fine after that. Then the hpv has been clear for years and all is good. Modern medicine is wonderful x

I had mine frozen off so can't really comment on your actual procedure but they're similar in terms of what they're trying to achieve. You lie in a bottomless chair (bit like a dentist chair with the bottom missing). It was quick and afterwards they give you a cup of tea and a biscuit and then you can go home. I took painkillers for a few days due to some cramping but it wasn't any worse than period pain. I was back at work the next day. Not much bleeding.
I don't know if everywhere does this but one useful piece of advice they gave me was to wear a wide skirt so I didn't even have to get changed into a gown. It might sound daft but I found that far less stressful than faffing around and getting changed; less medical in a way.
Sanitary towels - if you do have bleeding buy the really cheap own brand ones which are very soft. Avoid the Always type brands which can have a high plastic content. I found them a bit too harsh.

Good luck. It's over so quickly and it's worth it. I also got to watch it on a very large screen.

Apologies. I've read the previous posts and it looks like you may not get a cup of tea or a biscuit.

Thank you @Loloblue & @Fgfgfg i have taken a day off for the actual procedure and the day after as a just in case day but you have all reassured me so much.

Honestly just feeling very thankful we live in a country where smear tests are routine and it’s been found!

Yes exactly. It'll be fine. X

I had it done a few years ago.

i think the thought of what’s happening is worse than the actual procedure. I would recommend asking them to make sure you can’t see the screen.

I did bleed / had quite thin brown discharge for a few days after. Cramping for a few hours only.

I was so glad to have it done and all of my smears have been HPV negative since.

I had laser treatment around 30 years ago. Procedure was as others above has said. I had yearly smears afterwards, I’ve had no problems or abnormal results since. I’ve also had two children.

Thank you @Tempusrname & @TiredofLDN undecided whether I want to see if they give that option, it may be a good distraction as it is quite a difficult headspace when your in that position. The consultant was just lovely so it’s nothing against her but I just felt so vulnerable likewise the getting dressed afterwards so I may take previous advice and wear a wide skirt/dress.

Had about 2 weeks bleeding after the biopsies so expecting some again but reading the 4-6 weeks that honestly scared the shit out of me!

I had the Lletz procedure for CIN2, too. The procedure is pain free, the most uncomfortable part for me was the speculum insertion. It’s over pretty quickly too. There’s also a screen you can watch it on, if you’re so inclined! (Well there was for me anyway). I had minimal spotting and slight cramps for a half day or so.

Now whenever I have a cervical screen, they always say straight away they can tell I’ve had a lletz as apparently it makes the surface of your cervix very smooth. The more you know! Also every smear has been clear ever since then and mine was 10yrs ago now.

Good luck!

Also if you haven’t had children yet, as a heads up you will have additional scans for cervix length measuring throughout your second trimester

Thank you @lemonyfox yes that’s the name of the thing I’m having, the consultant called and gave all the info over the phone so obviously the burning stuck in my head more than what the actual name was!

So reassuring to hear all you ladies have been hpv ever since though, so glad you have all been able to share your experience and wisdom!

Oh no my baby days are behind me now but thank you for the info, never say never though haha!

If you have a desk job, you'll likely be fine to work the next day. If you need do a physical job which requires lifting I would also take the next day off. I lift quite a lot of heavy boxes in my job and my friend works as a nurse lifting patients. We both had LLETZ a few years back and agreed it was quite uncomfortable going back to work the day after

Thank you @hididdlyho work in an office job with occasional bursts of running round like a headless chicken, have taken the day after off as a precaution. Used holiday days as I had no idea what to expect and thought even if I’m fine I’ll just use it as an opportunity for a chill out long weekend maybe a bit of shopping or something if I’m up to it. Sounds like I should be all good though!

Oh I only had spotting after he biopsy.)( although had a general got that) If makes sense that if you are cauterized then shouldn't be lots of bleeding

It's very quick and straightforward. And then you go home. Absolutely not a big deal.

I bled for about 24 hours but I had discharge for probably 4-6 weeks.

Thank you all, your experiences are really helpful.

I can cope with the discharge for 4-6 weeks worst case scenario, obviously hoping for less than that but if that’s the price to be paid then more than happy to do so!

I’ve had this twice. Both times I had discharge for a few weeks, 4 the first time, 6 the next, enough to warrant using a liner every day. I didn’t bleed as such, and had mild cramps at worst.

Everyone is different. I bled light brown blood for days. i also had cramps for a few days too

Thank you @AngelWithAHauntedHeart it’s the uncertainty and not knowing what to expect that was freaking me out. I am expecting cramps for a while, usually get them all day after a smear so expecting this to be more?

Did you find anything in particular helped with the cramps?

I had the lletz procedure for cin3 in April. It was uncomfortable but not painful. The nurses were pretty skilled in the art if distraction and kept me talking throughout. It took a few minutes all in. I felt a bit shaky after but that wore off after a few minutes. No bleeding at all for a few days then sort of grainy grey discharge for a day or two which I believe is the coating they put on the cervix to stop the bleeding coming away. That was followed by some very heavy bleeding. That did alarm me but stopped after a day or so. I did feel drained afterwards and wfh for a few days. Worst bit was not being able to have a hot bath for a couple of weeks afterwards. My results took around 8 weeks and thankfully no malignancy was found. Need to go back for a " proof of cure" smear in 6 months but so far so good. Best of luck OP

Ibuprofen if you can handle it. A hot water bottle helped.

I bled straight through a big pad, down my trousers into my shoes after I got back home after my treatment, mortified. Bleeding lasted about 2 weeks. I’m used to very light periods so was quite shocked.