Cervical Cancer

[HarryPottersSecretSister]

Hi All,
I know no one can actually answer this but I'm driving myself a little around the bend in limbo wondering if I'm being overly dramatic or not.
Obviously - no one can say definitively but would anyone have any experience please?

About 8 months ago I started to bleed heavily every time I had sex, during sex. Not spotting. Not a little bit. Really pouring blood. Every single time I have sex.

I have had my bloods checked (low iron: obviously) but all else fine. Kidney infection ruled out, Any STD ruled out, No bacterial infections (had vaginal swabs taken) etc. GP checked and cant see any mass or polyps visible etc. She could see 'old' blood but no source.

I had irregular smears for years and a Lletz in 2014. I had my first any only 'normal' smear in 2021 when my last baby was a year old.
My aunt died quite young from cervical cancer.

I have been referred to a gyne consultant and my appointment isn't until the 5th Dec. I've also been referred for an ultrasound.

Am I being ridiculous to prepare myself to be told what I don't want to hear?
Apologies for an unanswerable question but I'd greatly appreciate to hear anyone's opinion or experiences.
I've just turned 39

Thank you

Hey
Could easily be your hormones
My periods went weird just before I turned 40
I've also been having abnormal smears but the colposcope showed nothing this year
I also had this from the combined pill years ago
Recently I started the mini pill again and pretty much bleed continuously which I bloody well hope calms down soon

Hi OP, I don't have your answers but I am in a similar boat so don't feel alone.

I have always had normal smears (last one in 2023) so that's different for me , but for the last six months I too have been having significant bleeding and pain during sex.
An STI has already been ruled out by a test a few weeks ago .

I finally worked up the courage to go to the GP yesterday and she did a pelvic exam , took swabs and did a urine sample.
(The was protein and white blood cells in my urine though I'm not sure this is relevant) . She sent both the swabs and the urine off to the lab for further testing.

She said to the naked eye my cervix looks red and inflamed but she cannot see any masses.

She has also referred me to gynecology and for a pelvic ultrasound, she didn't tell me when these appointments would be .

There is Cervical cancer in my family both my mother and her mother had hysterectomies from the disease and my sister has also had abnormal cells removed.

I like you am so so worried , so just wanted to join your thread in the hope we may be able to help eachother along a little xx

@solice84 Thanks so much for your reply and for trying to offer some reassurance. Sorry to hear about continuous bleeding - its exhausting, isnt it?
Hope it all settles for you soon. I am not on any hormonal contraception to offer an explanation to be honest (copper coil) but hopefully you're right and its hormones.

@welshmuma Sounds so so similar to my situation and although I am very sorry to hear you have these issues and worries that come with them it is admittedly nice to have someone who understands to hand hold with. It all feels a little 'hurry up and wait' right now.
Well done for going to the GP - it took me too long to build up the courage. It isnt a nice one to go with. It sounds like we had exactly the same visit.
I'm presuming you'll get a letter soon with an appointment date? I am not in the UK so possibly different but mine took about a week to arrive.
I too will be going for an ultrasound.

Could I ask if its a lot of blood during sex? (sorry) I literally pour. Its awful. I never want to have sex again... (dramatic)
Did GP mention the C word to you or did she have any other possibilities to offer?

I hope you're ok xxxx

@welshmuma do you have any idea when you'll get back blood and swab results?

My bloods took 3 days (low iron -- presumably the bleeding although I am vegetarian)

Swabs took 2 weeks

All clear. I'd never prayed for chlamydia as much in my life to be honest...

Feel almost more worried that its not an infection etc. If that makes sense.

Pain during sex can be an indicator of endometriosis being present. It can also cause heavy bleeding.

@HarryPottersSecretSister .
Yes I know what you mean that's deffinatly nice to not be alone in the situation.
Yeh I think with anything like that it always takes a a bit of courage!
Yes that's right, here in the uk I'll receive a letter direct from the hospital now with an appointment for both Gynacology and for the ultrasound.
I've literally no idea on time frame , she did say it wouldn't be too long due to my symptoms but you never know!

Regarding the bleeding It's not like flooding (for lack of a better word) but it's not spotting either I'd say it's like a heavy period sorry if tmi but it's on me , my partner the sheets ect and then I'm soaking a few pads afterwards too!

Honestly the first time it happened to me was back in July and I didn't have sex for a few months because it scared me, It's this month well October I've had sex again and found it's still happening :( that's what's pushed me to go GP.

I have a marina coil (my second one) and it's been in for 18 months but I've had regular periods the whole time, this last six months I've had bleeding outside of my usual periods.

The pelvic pain has been horrific the last time it happened I honestly thought I was having a baby, I took my underwear off expecting a baby to come out (absolutely ridiculous there was no chance I was pregnant but that's how intense the pain was)

Yeh sure so as I said Swabs & Urine were sent off on Wednesday 6/11.
My full blood test is booked for 18/11 .
And then I have another GP appointment on 25/11 to discuss all the results.

However if something shows up in them as soon as they come back then they will of course contact me sooner. I plan on giving them a call next Wednesday just to see if urine and swabs are back.

Regarding what it is , she was reluctant to say anything at all to be honest and that made me feel worse but of course she isn't a gynaecologist and would prefer them to do it hence the referral.
She did say Cancer (Cervical) at least would be very unlikely due to my clear smear in 2023 but as there's so much of it in the family she cannot completely rule it out.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me xx

Also I know what you mean regarding the STI! I had a clear STI test result on 26/10 and I was honestly hoping for the same for it to be positive as it would explain everything and go away easily!
I did the STI test first thinking thats exactly what it was having symptom checked online , even though I have had the same partner for a year+ . So since that has come back clear I've been worrying even more.

I haven't told my partner or anyone else at the moment as I don't see the point in worrying people if it's nothing. But it's pretty lonely xx

@welshmuma the pain you’ve been in sounds utterly horrendous :(
I honestly feel so much for you. I haven’t experienced pain at all to be honest.

hoping appointments come through for you soon.

3 weeks and 5 days til mine
not that I’m counting or anything…
just this limbo is rubbish. I just want to know now. I’m sure you understand that too

trying so hard to stay away from Dr Google
Really winding myself up with it

@AttilaTheMeerkat thank you. I think awful periods are part of the symptoms of endo? Mine are grand tbh

My symptoms are similar and it's fibroids, I'm waiting for a hysterectomy. They are so large and numerous I can't use a tampon or have sex as there's no room. Occasionally one passes out and causes a lot of bleeding. You'll find out soon enough and be on the way to recovery

@Doggymummar Im sorry to hear that. How are you feeling about impending hysterectomy?

Can ask if they could be seen during an internal exam please? My GP couldn’t see anything

They were picked up on a scan and yes the doctor confirmed it with a physical exam. I can't wait for the hysterectomy to be honest, although it is apparently 76 weeks wait

Some are 7,5 to 10cm so pretty hard to miss tbh

Hey OP, how have you been since this post?