Colposcopy Experiences

I had several pap smears come back abnormal years ago and my doctor wanted to perform a colopscopy. I wasn't comfortable with that, so I got a second opinion. The second opinion doctor suggested I take folic acid (800 mcg) daily and retest in 6 months. My retest came back normal and I've not had an abnormal pap test since then. I would suggest you try the folic acid and see if that works before you let people start cutting on you.

I had one done about 5 years ago. My docotor told me to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours for the complete day before the procedure and also the day of. This will help with the pain. ( I didn't even feel mine)

As far as the outcome, I did have my cells removed with another procedure and now things are fine. All of my pap tests have been normal since then. I also have 1 healthy little boy post procedure.

Please don't be scared but do take some support. One of my girlfriends went with me, since I was single at the time, and just waited in the lobby for me. Just having someone there to "worry" with you makes a difference :)

Good luck and I hope everything turns out ok.

I had this done long time ago. It's not that bad. You will feel some mild cramping and spot a little after the procedure. For me the test showed that I have HPV, but that is not what comes out all the time. I have talked to people that have had the test done and it comes back clean. Don't stress yourself about the possibilities. Hopefully it will be nothing. There are many things that can cause a pap to come back abnormal. I know that my doctor has told me not to have sex at 3 days before a pap because that can cause inflammation and that will cause an abnormal result. I hope all goes well for you!!

C.

You might want to get a second opinion. I say that because I recently was telling my midwife that I had one done in college for the same reason you mentioned above. She questioned the timeline and said that they haven't done those in 10 years. That it is no longer a clinical "best practice" in terms of diagnosis or monitoring of the situation.
She said best practice is now to increase frequency of paps (about every six months to monitor) and if it changes significantly after a few six month intervals then there are additional steps to take. Which may be where you are, so not trying to pry.
I was just suprised that I saw this posted after this very recent discussion with my women's healthcare provider.
That said, minor discomfort, from what I remember. A lot of mental discomfort, though.
Hang in there!

I had it done and it was a little painful. My doctor gave me something that I had to pick up from the pharmacy that made me drowsy enough that I couldn't really concentrate that well on it. If I hadn't had whatever it was that she gave me, I probably would have felt it more. But, she took a pretty big chunk out of me. It's not that bad, but just uncomfortable and a bad pinching.

don't worry about the procedure. it sounds daunting but really, it's no big deal. a little more uncomfortable than your regular pap, but it only lasts a S.. i had mild bleeding for just a day, spotting really, and no scabs or lasting pain at all. just focus on being positive. it's much better than NOT KNOWING! you'll be fine!

I had one about 9 years ago, and it was basically the same as what Sarah B. described. I took a couple of advil about 2 hours before and they put the vinegar-like solution, the doc told me that it makes the abnormal cells easier to see...if they see any they pinch biopsy them...for me that was uncomfortable but not really painful..but everyone is different, I have a friend that told me it made her cry...then afterwards you will have some bleeding...for me it all came out in one big clump which freaked me out but is totally normal. My results showed it to be noncancerous and I had pap smears every 6 months for the next 2 years. I haven't had an abnormal pap since

It's no big deal, so don't worry. It's just looking at things with a camera so it's all magnified. If they see anything out of the ordinary, they'll take a biopsy, which just feels like a little pinch. Quick and relatively painless!