Ladies: Colposcopy?

[Octoberbride03]

Who's had 1 of these?

Had my annual a couple of weeks ago and just got a letter saying i needed to follow it up with 1 of these and a FAQ sheet about the whole thing. Just what I wanted to hear.

So who's had 1 and how bad was it?

I definitely don't mean a colonoscopy, and FYI men: You don't want to know.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I have had more than I can count...they look at your cervix with a light and vinegar looking for abnormal cells, if they see them they take a bioposy which is a bit painful cause they just snipped a piece of your cervix, I would say a 4-5 out of 10 on a pain scale

Good luck!!!

 

[RNMOM]

I had one many years ago and no biopsy was taken. It was not uncomfortable at all...just like an extended "look around" in there.

 

[NotUrsula]

By itself, it is not any more painful than a regular pap, but it lasts a lot longer. Also, IME the light can be quite warm, verging on hot.

If you need "snip" biopsies or a cryotherapy treatment, then it can be painful; cryo a little bit, snips rather a lot. These days, many practices will actually try cryo before they go to snip biopsies, because cryo doesn't hurt much and is faster to do. If you go that route you'll have to go back for a regular colposcopy/pap in 3 months to make sure that the questionable cells have disappeared.

 

[momof1princess]

i had a colposcopy about 15-16 years ago, and i have to say, it was quite painful. my ob/gyn took several samples, and the pain was worse than i expected, but it wasn't lasting pain, i didn't even need ibuprofen. fortunately, any abnormal cells sloughed off after the procedure (which my doctor said happens fairly often), and all of my paps since then have been normal. best of luck to you, op

 

[Octoberbride03]

I never even heard of these until I got the letter. I thought i was done with Drs for the year. Not happy to be going back. I have a high pain tolerance so I don't think I'll have any trouble that way. Really hope there is not a lot bleeding involved.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I've had 3 of them done (6 months apart), several years ago. As far as pain and invasiveness, I'd put them way below a pelvic check to check your dilation in late pregnancy. In fact, they normally have a screen you can look at to see what they're looking at and doing, and I find it quite fascinating... and I'm normally quite squeamish.

I don't remember the biopsy hurting more than a pinch (like a needle stick) but I only had one biopsy done at my first colcoscopy. After that, just paps, and since then i've had normal paps for 3 years.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I have had one done and, in my case as well, the snip only felt like a pinch!

Maybe take some Motrin before just in case!

I wish you luck that it all turns out to be nothing!!!!

 

[PatsMom]

The colposcopy wasn't bad except I was at a military base that had a bunch of visiting students and they invited them all in to watch. As an active duty person, I had no right to tell them to get out.
The biopsies were bad - I remember lots of pain and bleeding afterward.
The surgery to remove the cancerous cells wasn't too bad except I got a post-op infection that left me with partially blocked tubes which is why I call my daughter my miracle baby.
And yes, this is kind of saying that gynegological care really, really sucked in the military 30 years ago!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I had one a few years back and it was a little painful to me when they took "snips" to biopsy but the procedure itself of them just looking around is just as uncomfortable as an annual pap exam. Like a pp stated, it is not a lasting pain, it hurts when they take snips to sample but then the pain is gone. I didn't have any pain afterward, no cramps etc. but you may have some spotting (I did, very very little) depending on how much cervical tissue they snip to biopsy. Good luck!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I wouldnt take Motrin beforehand...in case there is some bleeding, maybe tylenol if you can take it!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Just a small update here. Test is scheduled for Fri. afternoon. Really hoping it won't take long to get the results after its done.

 

[Gigi22]

Had one about 10 years ago. I was treated as an outpatient at one of the local hospitals. I did not require any painkiller at all, even although the dr. did a biopsy. The biopsy just felt like a pinch. The only awkward part was letting the vinegar drain afterwards--I was supplied with a sanitary napkin at the hospital in case of accidents. And then back to work and our office Christmas Party! Piece of cake.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Vinegar?

Oh joy. I think I'll bring my own liner on Fri. Mine is being done at the Dr's office, but in my experience provided pads are never comfy, so I'll bring my own.