Hi everybody,
I have recently had my second colposcopy due to abnormal cells for the past two years. I have been recommended to have cold coagulation.
Has anybody else had this treatment? I am wondering if it is painful and also what the recovery time is like.
Thank you! xx
Hi D fitness Do you live in the GB? Have any medics discussed this with you ? There is an ‘ ask the experts’ forum here and also a helpline which might help.
I had a quick google and it seems similar to the Lletz procedure ( which I'm about to have). I think Lletz is more commonly used. There might be a reason why they would use the other on you.
I'm sorry I have no experience though. Hope someone posts or you get some information
Hi D-fitness
I had this treatment after I was seen at my colposcopy clinic and the doctor said the area wasn't as bad they first thought. (Was originally booked in for a lletz at this appointment)
It basically burns away the abnormal cells and there is no tissue afterwards to be sent for further examination. I didn't feel anything while having it done, only the sting from the anaesthetic to numb the area. It took all of 10mins. Recovery was great for myself but everyone is different. I did bleed for roughly 2-3 days but nothing heavy. My nurse did give me a sheet before I left which explained a little regarding the procedure and aftercare. I was seen 6 months later for a checkup but unfortunately this treatment didn't solve my problem so I did end up having lletz which I am currently waiting on the results. I've been having abnormal smears since 2016 so I wasn't surprised when it came back abnormal again!
Wishing you all the best and good luck with the procedure, I'm sure all will be fine ? xx
That's interesting
I think part of the Lletz is to have a biopsy. Important in my case maybe as smear and colposcopy were different
Maybe in your case that's not such an issue ?
Recovery time seems shorter
Hi Rebecca,
Yes the lletz does remove tissue which gets sent off to be tested. I was told they take away the abnormal cells that are seen and also a little extra to check the margins are clear.
With CG the cells are destroyed instantly with a heated probe.
Yes recovery time was much shorter with CG..
I had lletz on the 6th April and I am still bleeding but have had no other issues. X
Hi everybody,
Thank you so much for your responses. I am in the UK. I'll give you a bit more of a back story as my first message was a bit vague.
I had an abnormal smear January 2020, the biopsy results from the colposcopy were CIN1, and advised to have a repeat smear in one year, in the hopes my immune system would clear up the abnormal cells.
In January 2021 I had another abnormal smear. So back for another colposcopy, the same specialist who did my original colposcopy. She's brilliant, explained everything and even remembered me! She said that nothing had really changed from the previous year. So advised the best option was further treatment. I believe the reason she recommended cold coagulation is because the abnormal cells are significant but only effecting one area of the cervix. (rather than spread over the whole cervix)
The problem is that I have a really physical job and struggling to know how much time off work is necessary. Most people are offered the LLETZ treatment so can't really advise. I'm sure the specialist would have answered all of my questions, but at the time I just wasn't thinking straight.
Thank you again everybody! I'll have a look at the ask the experts section. Xxxxx
Hi
I had cold couagulation last week . I originally had a colposcopy / biopsy which showed CIN2 . I was called in to discuss treatment and the doctor told me that it had improved since biopsy and she could see a small area so I could have either cold coagulation or something else ( I can't remember what ) so I said to just do what's best and she said cold coagulation. She told me because they know what it is and can see it was only small they can simply burn the cells away without needing to remove them for biopsy .
The procedure itself was absolutely fine ! It was a little sharp when the needle for the LA went in but only for a few seconds , then I felt absolutely nothing ! Later that day I did have some period pains but nothing that laying in bed watching Netflix and eating junk couldn't help ?
As I say it's now been a week and one day , I'm in no pain at all - the pain went after the first day . I haven't bled at all , I am having a pretty constant water type discharge ( feels like I'm peeing myself ? ) so I'm having to wear pads all the time which is uncomfortable because I never use pads , but I was told this is normal and can last up to 4 weeks . I'm also feeling hot quite a bit , I don't know if this is relayed at all - not like a fever as I feel fine in myself but just like , hot flushes ?
All in all , so much better than I thought it would be ! I was out shopping and working the next day , completely back to normal ! From my experience it's nothing to worry about and I've also just received my discharge letter just advising a test of cure smear in 6 months . Good luck! Any questions , don't hesitate to ask !
xxx
Hello!
I had cold coagulation in Feb after CIN2 was found. The cell changes were in one spot, so that's why cold coag' was recommended for me. The nurse didn't feel anaesthetic was necessary for me as she'd only need to use the heated probe once as the abnormal cells hadn't spread around my cervix. If she'd needed to use it again, she said she'd use anaesthetic. I'm guessing she thought I could take the pain as a one off treatment! It did really hurt and was much sharper than the dull ache I'd felt when the biopsy was taken at the initial appointment. Plus side though - it only lasted 20 seconds!
The advice after cold coagulation is you can return to work the same day if you feel ready. There's no real downtime. I had a little stomach ache and felt a bit down so I just needed some TLC and to relax.
I'd try to schedule your appointment after your period. The nurse didn't seem too pleased that my period was due less than a week after the cold coag' treatment. The blood from my period meant that the raw treated area of my cervix didn't heal as quickly and I bled for two weeks once my period started (my periods usually last 5 days). I felt a stingy kind of pain internally for a few weeks if I'd been stood up for long periods of time, but it wasn't anything terrible - just uncomfortable.
Hope this helps :)
