Scary smear test results

RuailleBuaille

Ladies, have any of you ever had a colposcopy? I've had three smears return as abnormal and now have to go to hospital and have this procedure done. I'm hoping you could tell me what to expect pain-wise as it says you can't have sex for four-six weeks after so I'm thinking it's a biggie? :eek: Any thoughts are welcome!

Mods: feel free to move to PI, thought i'd go straight to the source on this one.

tSubh Dearg

I've had many colposcopys and found them to be very uncomfortable. However, I know that plenty of the ladies here on boards have found them not much more uncomfortable than a smear, though to be honest I find those more uncomfortable than most too.

I've also had the Lletz procedure done (it turned out I only had CID 1 cells - the least severe, but they looked like CID 2), this is the only bit where you're not allowed to have penetrative sex afterwards for 4 - 6 weeks to allow the cervix to heal. It wasn't too bad though I did have a bit of a reaction to the local anethetic they injected me with, otherwise I felt nothing. Bit of bleeding afterwards but not very much. Sex was a bit uncomfortable the first time afterwards too. It is extremely unlikely that you will have this procedure done on your first visit.

Now 3 years (or so) after my initial visit, I have been given the all clear and will only have to go for smears yearly with my local GP.

I just want to wish you the best of luck with the test Itchy.

RuailleBuaille

Thanks guys, that's great help. I'm laughing here at the irony of my thread title and my username - it's not what I intended, I assure you!

TequilaMockingBird

Hi Itchyinside (:D) best of luck with this. A friend of mine had it done last week and was fine, just uncomfortable and tender. Take care.

Pigletlover

No experience myself, but a close friend of mine had to get one after an abnormal smear, she described it as uncomfortable but not very painful. Hope it all goes well for you

Meathlass

You usually get a colposcopy done to clear up any abnormalities on a smear result. I get them done every 6 months as a precaution and much prefer them to smears. My last smear really hurt and made me bleed but with the colposcopy you're in stirrups, they put in a solution which allows them to see the cells in more detail. There is no problem having sex afterwards.

If there are repeated abnormalities with the colposcopy then you have the lletz procedure done which takes a biospy of the suspect cells and then you probably can't have sex afterwards. You should clarify with your doctor exactly what you're having done.

panda100

Out of intrest do many people here go for regular smears ?
In England once you hit 18 its cumpolsary to go for a free smear test every two years.
Theres a piolt scheme in the mid west at the moment with free smear testing cos I think the price really puts women of from having one done.
I shamefully admit Ive only had one smear test ever cos Id just rather spend the €25 on something else.

Meathlass

panda100 wrote: »

Out of intrest do many people here go for regular smears ?
In England once you hit 18 its cumpolsary to go for a free smear test every two years.
Theres a piolt scheme in the mid west at the moment with free smear testing cos I think the price really puts women of from having one done.
I shamefully admit Ive only had one smear test ever cos Id just rather spend the €25 on something else.

Well, there's no need to for me to tell you that you've being silly. I think they recommend going to have a smear every 2 years depending on your age. 25 euros every 2 years isn't a lot when it could save your life.

watna

I think the price does put women off. I know it saves your life but it's not something you can see (your cervix, I mean) so it's easy to put it on the long finger and use the money for something else.

I know I need to get one done but am waiting until I get to NZ, cos it's free. If i wasn't going I'd pay to get it done of course, but I'd rather pay nothing for it if I can!

Oryx

watna wrote: »

(your cervix, I mean) so it's easy to put it on the long finger...

Theres a joke in that but Ill ignore it.....

I didnt have a smear for about 10 years. Then went for a check about something else and it was a case of 'hop up there and get it over with'. So guilty of leaving it as well. Its not the money for me, (Id spend more on alcohol in a single hour of a good weekend;)) more the inconvenience and lack of organisation. I should go for a dental checkup regularly but I dont do that either.

watna

KtK wrote: »

Theres a joke in that but Ill ignore it.....

ewwwww!

littlebug

I've had a colposcopy and to be honest it wasn't much different to a smear except it lasted longer and I got to see my cervix on the telly... lovely (NOT).
I don't recall any instructions about not having sex afterwards and I don't understand why they would say that to be honest. I agree that you should check that you should find out if you're having something else done at the same time.

Meathlass

You really need to find out exactly what you're getting done as the colposcopy is over in 10 minutes while the lletz needs a local anesthetic, can't eat much before hand. It's completely different, like the doctor telling you your're going in for a scan or having a baby. Find out which it is!!

Macha

You're not alone! I'm having one done on Monday 3 iffy smear results and it has to be done. I've been reassured a hundred times - it isn't a big deal, lots of women have to get them done.

I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am to be born in a country that has a high level of health service (well...relatively)

Cazlou

panda100 wrote: »

Out of intrest do many people here go for regular smears ?
In England once you hit 18 its cumpolsary to go for a free smear test every two years.
Theres a piolt scheme in the mid west at the moment with free smear testing cos I think the price really puts women of from having one done.
I shamefully admit Ive only had one smear test ever cos Id just rather spend the €25 on something else.

€25???? :eek: Mine was €50!!!!!!:mad:

watna

Cazlou wrote: »

€25???? :eek: Mine was €50!!!!!!:mad:

Last time I went to the lady doctor she wanted to charge me €90 to get the tests done at a private lab. Apparently the tests weren't coming back for 12 weeks from the local hospital. Another reason why I'll wait until NZ!

Poppers1888

HI
I got as colposcopy in December, just like smear really, they had to remove the sin2 cells from me there and then,that was uncomfortable. After they had taken the cells away i had like an intense period paid for about 3 days. Then thats it - have to go for smear again in 6 months and to hspital in 10.
Nothing dramatic really about it.

Best of luck

Poppers1888

Meathlass wrote: »

You really need to find out exactly what you're getting done as the colposcopy is over in 10 minutes while the lletz needs a local anesthetic, can't eat much before hand. It's completely different, like the doctor telling you your're going in for a scan or having a baby. Find out which it is!!

You wont actually know which it is til they do the colposcopy and see whats up there, If the area is quite small they will do the lletz there and then and if it is slighty larger they will call you back in. They gave me my colposcopy and my lletz on the same day with local anaesthatic, no baths or sex for 6 weeks!!!!!

Meathlass

Poppers1888 wrote: »

You wont actually know which it is til they do the colposcopy and see whats up there, If the area is quite small they will do the lletz there and then and if it is slighty larger they will call you back in. They gave me my colposcopy and my lletz on the same day with local anaesthatic, no baths or sex for 6 weeks!!!!!

No baths for 6 weeks! I presume you could still shower? Chances are that i'll have to have the lletz done sometime soon as the irregular cells are increasing. No sex for 6 weeks - that's going to be really tough

BeatNikDub

taconnol wrote: »

You're not alone! I'm having one done on Monday 3 iffy smear results and it has to be done. I've been reassured a hundred times - it isn't a big deal, lots of women have to get them done.

I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am to be born in a country that has a high level of health service (well...relatively)

I just had my 3rd smear in 18 months, the last 2 have come back abnormal.
Find smear tests extremely painful and I have some bleeding which she said I will for the next day or so.

I went to the Dundrum medical centre to a nurse there and she was brilliant. Explained EVERYTHING in brilliant detail and was so gentle. Got it over as quick as possible as she knew I was in alot of discomfort.

Its very likely I will have to go for this colposcopy (sp) - thanks ladies for putting my mind at rest. This thread has made me feel heaps better - im not the only one!!

She Devil

A smear test saved my life ... I would urge anyone to go through the discomfort for a few minutes ... i had a few colopscopys they are a pain in the butt (pardon the pun lol) but you don't feel anything after you get the anesthetic!!! You will be fine dont spend time worrying about it xx

hunnymonster

There is a lot of good information on the Irish cervical screen programme website
http://www.icsp.ie/
as well as a freephone number for any questions you might have.
I've had smears, colonoscopies and Leetz multiple times. The smear is a little uncomfortable depending on who is doing it. The colonoscopy wasn't any worse but does take a little longer. The Leetz was a bit more involved, mainly because it is done in what is essentially an operating room with a couple of people looking up your vagina. The local anaesthetic they used also made my heart rate get very rapid which was a very strange feeling. Still, a cup of tea and a biscuit later, I am able to leave the hospital.

On a related note, I moved to Cork in August (from Dublin) and had a smear done almost immediately (was due a 6 month checkup). I happily paid the €90 to have it done privately as the waiting time was 6 months for results at that time compared to 2 weeks if it went to the private clinic. When it came back abnormal (again) I rang around every gynaecologist in Cork and the first private appointment I could get was November. In fact one of the receptionists actually suggested, I consider getting pregnant in order to get an appointment. Talk about idiotic advice, have a baby to see a doctor who might save your life! I've ended up booking back in with my Dublin based Gynae where I was able to get an April appointment. </rant>

Ruthee

Cazlou wrote: »

€25???? :eek: Mine was €50!!!!!!:mad:

i paid 70e..whats the story..not that i can put a price on my health..but seriously...i had to wait like 3 or 4 months for the results too...god, this country makes me sick..

CiDeRmAn

My wife and I went through hell recently, she noticed "changes" so went to the well woman clinic to have a thorough check up, during the exam the Dr. noticed a large growth on her cervix, asked my wife if she had had all her children yet and on questioning said it would definitely require a surgical intervention, perhaps a hysterectomy.
As we are both nurses all this scared the hell out of us, needless to say I could really only stand on the sidelines and be as supportive as I cold while we waited for an appointment with a specialist, a very long 4 weeks.
Eventually she was seen and the Dr., or rather the Mr. said that it was a benign growth, totally safe and not to worry.
We kind of said that the Dr in the clinic made us very scared with the talk of major surgery, he said that they were right to send us regardless, the fact is the well woman clinic sends many unfortunate cases for whom treatment is too late, typically because they didn't have a smear when, and as often, as they were told by their GP.
By the time the clinic can plainly identify a growth, it's too late.

Now the whole thing cost several hundred pounds, we paid straight out for the consultation, but then no price would have been too much as long as it was in our means to pay, that said we were very concious of the poor souls who are forced to await public appointments with the same Dr.s across the road in the public hospital,

That must be a torture beyond imagining, as Ruthee says, it makes me sick too.