Cervical ectropian and colonoscopy

[user64323]

For the last couple of years I have had very painful and heavy periods. I have mentioned to GP's but no referrals were suggested, they suggested I try a contraceptive, which I did for a few months but didn't get on with.

I had a routine smear today and bled a lot, nurse said I had a cervical ectropian and not to worry about the blood or that she was putting a 2 week referral for a colonoscopy as it was normal. There was a lot of blood in my sample and I've had clotting and pain since. I'd never heard of an ectropian before and all my googling says it is not linked to cervical cancer and it is nothing to worry about, but in that case, why would I need an urgent referral for a colonoscopy?

Does an ectropian need to be confirmed incase it is something else? I am not an anxious person so don't need lots of reassurance, just would prefer the facts/truth!

Also would like to know what I can expect from a colonoscopy from those that have had one.

Hello, try not to worry -it’s a standard procedure. They will have referred you for colposcopy not colonoscopy-it’s basically a detailed look at the cervix. Hope all goes well.

Thank you, oops! At writing colonoscopy!

It’s fine. It just means that your cervix is turning out a bit - imagine pursed lips, so it can bleed a bit during sex/smears etc.
Colposcopy is fine, not much different to a smear, and they will look at the cervix through a camera.

Maybe pouty lips, rather than pursed.
It was easier for the consultant to demonstrate than to describe with words!!

Thank you, I understand what it is. Just wondered why the need for an urgent colposcopy if it's nothing serious. I guess just to confirm it is just an ectropian and not something else.

I had this the other week. An appointment with a gynae for heavy periods led to a 2 week referral because of an ectropion.

99% of the time it's just an ectropion but 1% of the time abnormal cells could be confused for one. Because colposcopy is also the standard first diagnostic test for cervical cancer it's on a 2 week wait.

Mine was a lot nicer than I thought it would be. They were very professional and let me watch on the screen. Mine is HUGE!

I had the exact same situation about ten years ago, and I got myself that worked up about the colposcopy that I didn't actually go The ectropian then caused bleeding in the first trimester of my pregnancy, which was worrying. Between having my two kids I had bleeding between periods and after sex, and ended up being re-referred. This time I was braver and it really was nothing to worry about, despite the fact I have an extremely awkward cervix. I only had a small ectropian but because of the bleeding they decided to treat it. During a second colposcopy they injected local anaesthetic into my cervix, and used a hot probe to burn away the ectropian (strangely called Cold Coagulation iirc). Not particularly pleasant, but not awful either. It's never bothered me since.

Should have said, I had the actual treatment about 4 years ago.