Cervical Ectopian - Can't Get Treatment

[Confused2342]

Hi all,

I've been getting odd bleeding between periods for 2 years now. About 8 months ago I was referred to a gynaecologist and she said that it is cervical ectopian causing the problems.

She told me I would need to have it treated privately as cauterisation treatment was not available on the NHS.

I went back to the GP to ask for private referral but she had never heard that it was private only as she knows the treatment is available on nhs.

She referred me back to the gynaecologist for treatment, but the gynaecologist won't accept me for treatment.

Meanwhile, the bleeding is heavier and worse than ever and I'm having to wear sanitary pads virtually every day now which is getting me down.

I don't know what to do. Any advice on how to get this fixed would be appreciated

Nurse told me to pursue this but then I didn't need it.
Gynae wait times are very long right now, though.
How much would private cost?

I had this, and it came back after cauterising... weirdly, what stopped my bleeding once and for all was switching to the mini pill.

No idea really. It's hard to get into private. Maybe I'll give it some more time though. I wonder if anyone else has taken years for theirs to clear up.

Thanks for your reply. I've read it can come back so I'm not even sure if the treatment is worth it. I might look into the mini pill

I've had this for over 10 years. Mine started during my first pregnancy and caused bleeding/ spotting for a few days before my period every cycle. I had a cauterisation on the NHS after I started bleeding after sex. It made zero difference, the bleeding continued exactly the same. I am in peri now and the spotting / bleeding has practically disappeared.

That's interesting to hear. I've read from quite a few people that it is not necessarily effective which makes me feel better about not getting it treated

Sorry to jump on this post. It’s my first time posting here after searching the internet this evening.
i was recently referred to gynae on a 2 week referal due to some abnormal bleeding over the Xmas period.
I saw gynae on Monday and he said cervical ectropian. He said he would treat this there and then by “burning the cells off”

I had never heard of ectropian until that moment, and had no idea what was happening. I was told I may experience some “black discharge” in the following days. I think from googling it was the silver nitrate treatment I received.

i had mild cramping Monday evening and yesterday. But as of yesterday evening I had been bleeding bright red blood. Not overly heavy, but I also wouldn’t class this as spotting. I loose small blood clots at almost every wee, and have had mild cramping in my stomach continuously.

I just wondered if these side effects are normal after treatment? I have not had any of the dark discharge I was told to expect; only red blood …. Feeling concerned that these are not symptoms of ectropian treatment?

thank you for reading!

When you say it’s hard to get into private, what do you mean exactly?

You just need to find a private gynaecologist who can perform the treatment and then ask the GP to refer you to them. I’ve never heard of a GP refusing to do this nor experienced it myself. But if it really is a no-go with your NHS GP then there are private ones who’d happily do it for you.

Can private gp's make referrals? I thought they couldn't

I Think for private, how you do it, is ask the GP surgery if they can recommend anyone, then you ring the 'anyone' (their PA actually) to ask about private assessment and consultation. They tell you price, book you in.

The first consultation doesn't necessarily cost that much, maybe £120? If your need is severe enough they can put you back in for NHS treatment (yes really): this is called leapfrogging the system. People leapfrog all the time.

@ZT10 I didn't experience any bleeding, cramping or clots as a side effect. I was told to expect pain and a watery discharge and yes I had those. But then again the cauterisation didn't work for me.
@Confused2342 I went through a private GP for a private referral to a consultant as I was getting nowhere with my GP (completely separate health issue to ectropion). I would request an appointment with a doctor, would be given one with a nurse who would try to palm me off with a script etc.