This is a an extremely common presentation to a Gynaecologist and I sincerely understand that you initially jump to the conclusion of ‘cancer’. This is highly unlikely, but it is important that you do attend your Gynaecologist appointment if referred with an abnormal cervical screening test (previously referred to as a ‘pap smear’).
Often patients will have no symptoms alerting them to an abnormal smear and it is purely noted on a routine pap smear. Some patients may experience bleeding after sex or abnormal vaginal discharge.
Often the Gynaecologist will want to take a better look at the cervix and try to determine with the aid of a camera with a high powered magnifying lens to determine if any of these abnormalities noted on your pap smear can be visualised in the rooms.
This is a simple procedure and takes roughly 15 minutes and at that time a pap smear may be repeated and various stains will be placed on the cervix to see how they react. Biopsies may be performed for which this causes very minimal discomfort as there is minimal pain fibres in the cervix.
You may experience a small amount of spotting post the procedure with the occasional cramp, for which a paracetamol and ibuprofen is all that is required. These symptoms pass quite quickly.
Depending on the results of the Colposcopy, often follow up pap smears in a year’s time is all that is required but on occasion a larger biopsy is indicated called a large loop excision of the transformation zone ‘LLETZ’. This is performed at a day procedure under a general anaesthetic.
Gynaecologist & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon
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