Cervical ectropian erosion

[summerdays37]

Hey ,

Has anyone got this ? I had it diagnosed about 8 years ago , just been for a smear and it's still there , well the nurse said my cervix looks ever so red and I told her I was diagnosed with cervical ectropian years ago and she said yes looks like that.

I went to gp years ago after one off bleed , and she took a look and said I have ectropian , tested for infections , all clear and said just to come back if I experience anymore symptoms . I never bled again and have had a clear smear in between and the nurse mentioned it then too .
Think I was expecting it to go !
Has anyone else has one this long ? Also slightly plays on my mind that the gp all those years didn't refer me to make sure . She just seemed casual about it . Which made me feel relived then , but now I worry !

I saw a GP last week as I was having some episodes of light bleeding after sex and after examining me she said she thought I had a cervical ectropian.

She said she was sure it was nothing to worry about but that it’s policy for all women to be referred to gynaecology (urgent 2 week appointment) to have it checked out by someone who is more specialised in such things than a GP “just in case”.

I had my hospital appointment 6 days after I first saw my GP.

If you’re still having symptoms with it and you’re worried I would go back and ask for a referral.

Thanks for your reply . No I've never had symptoms since .
That was almost 8 years ago and I've had 2 clear smear tests since .
Hadn't really thought about it until a nurse mentioned it again at my last smear which was again normal .

@summerdays37 There is no connection between an ectropion and cervical cancer- it doesn't change to cancer if that's your worry. As you have had 2 clear smears the odds are you are okay.

I think I'd want someone other than a nurse to look at it to be sure but the clear smears surely mean it's an ectropion?

Nowadays they tend not to treat unless they are bleeding a lot. I had one surgically zapped decades ago but things have moved on since then.

Talk to your GP if you are worried? ask for a gynae appt? But I suspect they won't see a need.

Hey ,

Thanks for replying .
After it was spotted at a smear all those years ago I did book a appointment with GP and she had a look and said it was ectropian and did swab for infections ( normal ) and as my last smear was normal and I had no symptoms I could just leave it be . Which I did . And have had two clear smears since .

Was only when I read on here that someone had a gynaecological urgent appointment made so a gp could make sure it WAS ectropian that I freaked out about mine again ! Not given it a second thought in all these years as you put your trust in the doctors don't you and I'm not one to usually worry if they tell me all is fine . I've don't my bit by going with a concern , I'm no hypochondriac.
But seeing some other ppl were referred, made me wonder why some aren't and some are xx

Hi,
I was told I have this at my last smear two years ago. My nurse said she wouldn’t have bothered mentioning it but she didn’t want me unduly worrying should I have a bit of bleeding after sex.
She said I’ve probably had it years and it’s hereditary and absolutely nothing to worry about.
I’m pregnant with my third child. I’ve always conceived in the first cycle of trying, never had any miscarriages or complications so it’s not impacted my fertility at all.
I don’t bleed after sex but if I did I wouldn’t worry but would just get it checked out.
😊

Yes mine was noticed after my third child at the cervical screening test a few months after just having her . It wasn't there before my third pregnancy.
But this was 7 years ago and it's still there .

I had this after coming off the pill, bleeding after sex. Consultant said it was the pill to blame. Had it cauterised and that got rid of it.

@summerdays37 I honestly don’t think you have anything to worry about. The referrals were probably because they were having annoying symptoms (like me) but you weren’t. If you’d gone back to say you had more bleeding, then you’d have been referred purely so you could have it cauterised or frozen. If they’re not troublesome, gps seem to recommend they are left alone.

However, having said all of that, if you are worried why not ask your gp if they can have another look? But you can be reassured by fact that your swabs and smears were fine.

@Cannothandletheheat hey , thanks for your reply . I do actually remember her saying ( after showing me pics of what my cervix looked like 😬 on the internet ) that she could refer me if I wanted to get it treated , but she didn't see the need as it's causing no problems . I said no thanks ! I just couldn't get out of the docs quick enough . And I remember she also checked that I was upto date with smears and that they were clear took a swab , And with that she seemed happy with her diagnoses . I got a call from the gp to say all swabs clear no further action required .
I do think I've just had a couple of days of a irrational fear! Had a bout of the what ifs .... but if I've had it nearly 8 years and no symptoms and clear swabs and smears . I think I just need to stop worrying ! Honestly not usually a worrier ! But this well started to panic me for some reason , prob as we can't see it ! Thanks for replying 😃😃😃😄

Maybe it helps @summerdays37 to understand what is actually is?
An ectropion is when the cells inside the cervix grow outside of it on the tip. Hormones are often the cause (mine was caused by the Pill.)

It's not harmful or dangerous. It can be a nuisance if it bleeds and it bleeds because the cells inside the cervix are fragile and different to the tougher cells on the outside of the cervix (which get a hammering and can cope.)

Oh blimey . I'm assuming my GP knew what she was looking at then and felt no need to get a second opinion .
If it's hormone driven maybe all my pregnancies caused it . The GP did say it would prob go away . But after 7 / 8 years it is still there . Thank you for your replies! It's kind of you all .

I think medical opinion on treatment has changed. I was in my 20s when I had one. It was the done thing to treat it and I was a day case in hospital with a full GA! Never done nowadays.