Hello ladies!
I wanted to pop on here and hopefully offer some reassurance to anyone booked to have a colposcopy.
A bit about the lead up first.
Late 2020 I had a routine smear which showed I was HPV+. I was told to come back for another smear in a years time when hopefully this would have cleared itself.
Late 2021 I went for my next smear which showed I was still HPV+ and also now had cell changes. I was referred for a colposcopy.
Cue lots of frantic googling!
Safe to say that by the time my appointment came round I was terrified, I was scared it was going to hurt and sure in my mind that I wasn’t going to have any biopsy taken unless under GA.
I worked myself up so much but straight away the lovely nurse put me at ease. She talked through the procedure and why I was there. I then got sorted and went through to the next room. I was greeted by two other lovely ladies and got into position. I can honestly say the procedure didn’t hurt at all. Two solutions were wiped onto my cervix and I could see what was happening on the screen next to me.
I was told a biopsy would need to be taken at this point and I started to panic. The nurse said she would count down from 3 then I needed to do a little cough. I did this and felt nothing! She actually ended up going two biopsies.
The only part which was a little uncomfortable was when she pressed on the cervix to stem any bleeding, it was a stomach ache feeling, similar to mild period cramps.
I then got up, got dressed and had a quick chat with the nurse about what to expect over the next few days and I was out! All in all it was less than half an hour.
It’s been a few days since the procedure now and I haven’t had any pain. TMI warning, I have a small amount of strange discharge, I can only describe as a sort of paste/papier-mâché texture?! I think this is one of the solutions used.
My results should be back in 4-5 weeks which feels like a long time but I am just relieved the colposcopy is over.
Please try not to worry or panic if you have one coming up, I guarantee it is worse in your head. I hope this helps someone xx
