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Original poster

Colposcopy experience and questions

26 replies

llihl13 · 02/10/2023 17:17

Hi ladies, I had my colposcopy today after my smear came back with high-risk HPV and low-grade dyskaryosis. I was very lucky and managed to get a cancellation within a week of my smear results, which is unheard of from the sounds of things!

If anyone is waiting for theirs and worried, I must say it was really not bad at all in terms of pain. Mine felt just like a smear, in fact I think my smear was a bit more uncomfortable!

I am a little worried though because a trainee did it, and as lovely as she was, she seemed a little unsure. She said she 'thought' it looked like low-grade but had to look at the senior nurse for clarity, to which the senior nurse said 'if you think you need to take a biopsy, take a biopsy.' I'm also anxious in case she was inexperienced in taking biopsies and didn't do it properly.

Oh and on top of that, I was day 2 of my period so how she managed to get a proper look I have no idea! Now curled up on the sofa after some ibuprofen with a double whammy of period and colp cramps lol.

Anyway, not sure what the point of this thread is, it's just sometimes nice to have a chat with people on here and hear their experiences. Has anyone had low-grade on their smear and it came back worse after the biopsy? Or had a colp on their period? Would love to chat in the anxious 4-6 week wait for results. X

OP posts:
Happydaisydoo · 02/10/2023 20:36

No experience of the same circumstances but I had high grade HPV and medium grade dyskariosis so had the leep done in Feb. My recent smear in August showed it had all gone. So even if it comes back higher it is all super fixable and not that bad at all x

Olika · 02/10/2023 21:19

I went to colposcopy for several years. I think it was 2013 when my smear came back with borderline changes and since then once a year I would have colposcopy with biopsy every time. Results kept coming back mild changes no need to operate every time until last two (2019 and 2020) were negative so my body somehow dealt with whatever was going on. I know they say you can have it on your periods but I never did as I felt uncomfortable about it. I had trainees sometimes too but the actually consultant was supervising next to them so I trusted them doing a good job.

Original poster
llihl13 · 02/10/2023 21:35

@Happydaisydoo That’s great news! In a way I think I’d feel better if I had CIN2 and had it removed so I know it’s gone sort of thing. Whereas CIN1 you have to wait around unknowing if it’s getting worse! Perhaps I’ll regret saying that when I get my results lol!

@Olika great to hear your last ones came back normal too, your poor cervix with all those biopsies! They said it was absolutely fine to do it on my period but I must say I couldn’t look at the screen, it was making me feel a bit sick haha.

me and my partner were TTC which I will hold off while I wait for this now. Hopefully the biopsy (and treatment if I need to have it) don’t affect any future pregnancies 🤞

OP posts:
OnAir · 02/10/2023 21:43

Mine was awful. Just down to the hospital staff the three ladies were horrible could tell I was nervous (I suffer with ptsd) they laughed at me and made me feel like complete shit and made jokes about it. Also made jokes about the fact I was shaking they could tell I was upset by it and continued to do so the whole procedure. I'd never go back to that hospital even if it was life or death. It's not the first time I've had bad experiences at that hospital either.

CatamaranViper · 02/10/2023 22:14

I've had 2 loop biopsies and 6 monthly check ups all within the last couple of years.

It's shite and it's worrying but all you can do is try and stay positive and focussed on life.

Original poster
llihl13 · 03/10/2023 09:26

@OnAir so sorry you had such an awful experience at yours. It sounds like the staff made things 10x worse, I was lucky that the staff at mine were very chatty. I hope your results came back OK?

@CatamaranViper not fun but you're keeping on top of it and that's the main thing! Has your body managed to clear the virus yet?

OP posts:
CatamaranViper · 03/10/2023 22:34

llihl13 · 03/10/2023 09:26

@OnAir so sorry you had such an awful experience at yours. It sounds like the staff made things 10x worse, I was lucky that the staff at mine were very chatty. I hope your results came back OK?

@CatamaranViper not fun but you're keeping on top of it and that's the main thing! Has your body managed to clear the virus yet?

Sadly not. I went from a 3 to a 2 to a 1 then a 3 again. Should find out in a couple weeks what I am next...

Original poster
llihl13 · 03/10/2023 22:45

@CatamaranViper please keep us posted with your results. Are you taking any supplements? I heard AHCC can help with persistent HPV so I have ordered some but haven’t been taking long enough to report on any results

OP posts:
OnAir · 04/10/2023 09:13

Mine came back as CIN 3. Was especially worried as I've already had ovarian cancer my last smear was clear. Currently pregnant so will be getting checked again after but I'll be requesting a different hospital to do all follow ups. Hope everything goes well for you.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/10/2023 12:20

@OnAir thats great to hear your last smear was clear. Did you first smear say low or high grade dyskaryosis? Me and my partner were TTC so hoping I won’t have to wait too long before we can get going again… the wait for results is the worst!

OP posts:
OnAir · 04/10/2023 13:23

Mine came back high grade. We waited 6 months after procedure to start trying to give my body a chance as I had not long had major emergency surgery for Ovarian cancer the year before. I waited for my next smear results to be given the go ahead just incase I did fall pregnant and I wouldn't of been able to receive treatment until after the pregnancy. Took us over two years and a few miscarriages but I'm now 30 weeks it has been a long journey to get here and my mental health took an absolute battering.

WhamBamThankU · 04/10/2023 13:55

Mine was high grade in several places, but the consultant who did the procedure said during that he thought it was only low grade 🙄 I'm due a 6 month follow up smear, I'm late actually.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/10/2023 16:04

@OnAir sounds like a long and stressful ordeal, I’m so happy for you that you are now pregnant and the worst is behind you!

@WhamBamThankU so your smear was low grade dyskaryosis then biopsy came back CIN3? The doctor at my colp didn’t seem sure on what mine was so fully expecting high grade. But at least if it is I can get it removed rather than doing the whole “watch and wait” I guess. Fingers crossed your follow up smear comes back clear :)

OP posts:
countrypunk · 04/10/2023 16:31

I had high grade abnormal cells 10 years ago so had LLETZ/leep treatment. It wasn't the most pleasant thing to happen to me but it's f'ing amazing they can do it and I'm enormously grateful! I've had normal smear results ever since. It's also a really quick procedure from what I remember, and a lovely nurse held my hand the whole way through.

I remember being extremely anxious about it all - even though abnormal cells are not cancer, you can't help but think it. So I hope you're OK OP - whatever the result, you will be fine!

I should add I am also now 16 weeks pregnant and having my cervix measured in a couple of weeks for reassurance. So if you do need treatment and you then get pregnant, make sure you tell your midwife so that she can refer you to an obstetric consultant for cervical scans. I think the risk of premature birth after LLETZ is very low, but they check anyway. Which is great!

Take care OP Flowers

OnAir · 04/10/2023 18:06

Thankyou. Yes it's been tough going I'm also having regular scans to check cervical length the same as pp. wishing you all the best.

WhamBamThankU · 05/10/2023 05:19

@llihl13 My smear was medium/high grade, the consultant said he personally thought it was low but then biopsy showed all high grade CIN3. I had LLETZ procedure which was unpleasant but manageable. I think the sound the machine makes and the smell of burning insides is worse than the pain!

Thisisworsethananticpated · 02/11/2023 21:16

Hello
I’ve just had one too
posting and I’m pleased to find this

aching also too as it was yesterday

OnAir
that’s really unprofessional and horrible
Even if you are not ready to raise a formal complaint , please write a detailed account so you don’t forget it ?

Thisisworsethananticpated · 02/11/2023 22:09

And I’m 50

i had this all in early 20s too
and went on to have 2 kids
so best of luck to the pregnant ladies 🙃

Guttedme · 03/11/2023 20:04

Friend had polyps removed couple of days ago under colposcopy - If they can do the same with Fibroids one happy lady here.

her bowel should have been looked into so I don’t understand how polyps were removed that were not known about and which I think is surely gynae but they were apparently.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/11/2023 08:56

Thought I would post a quick update on this - I received my biopsy results and they were inadequate :( I phoned the clinic and they explained that although they could see the outside of the cervix well, they couldn’t get a good look at the transformation zone/endocervical canal because it was too small? I now have to go back in 3 months for another…. Sigh

OP posts:
WhoWants2Know · 12/11/2023 16:09

I'm going to have one of those in just over a week. It's funny, I wound myself so much over the smear as it had been a while--but it never really occurred to me that I would get anything other than a normal result. Now I'm all worried that I'll be looking at the screen and my cervix will be there looking Janna the Hut on a bad day and I'll have to get it all lopped off.

Coroico97 · 17/11/2023 22:24

I had a cone biopsy 25 years ago then had two children with no problems. They are now 20 and 18 and after years of clear smears I’ve had changes again. Yesterday had a loop excision. Sigh. Staff were amazing though and so kind. I feel lucky we have such great screening services. I’m feeling in good hands.
On another note - I’ve been told I can’t have a bath but our shower is not working. Do you think I can have a bath if it’s quick?! I know it’s all about not allowing too much water ‘up there’!!? Any thoughts?!

Thisisworsethananticpated · 19/11/2023 14:50

Coroico97

same as me
im not estatic about maybe having surgery again
as I sense recovery as a 50 year old single mum might be faster

but , betters it’s detected early hey

hope you managed to wash !

Thisisworsethananticpated · 19/11/2023 14:50

Faster ?? No
slower and more painful I mean

Mj12345 · 13/07/2024 19:11

Hi,
I recently had a coloposcopy and had cells on my cervix cauterised with silver nitrate. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this and any advise. The doctor said I may experience some brown discharge and bleeding and no sex until bleeding stops, however I haven’t bled and although the discharge is heavier than normal it isn’t brown.
I just haven’t been given much after care on how I should proceed and there’s a lot online but all contradicts each other.
Any advice welcome :)