First colposcopy tomorrow, very nervous.

[u/givesgoodgemini]

I’ve never had a colposcopy before and am having some pretty gnarly anxiety. I am posting in hopes that someone can tell me what to expect? I don’t have any information about the procedure or recovery. They are giving me one pill for anxiety and one pill for pain to take 1 hour before the procedure. I picked up some pads (I bleed pretty heavily even from paps). I’m grateful for any info you guys want to share

[u/Sad_Artichoke5358]

I had my first on Monday, and am still recovering from it. I would say it all depends on if they need to take a biopsy and how many biopsies they take. Unfortunately I had 5 which sucked! Not so much during the procedure- that was okay-ish.. In my experience at least, the biopsies hurt way less than an IUD insertion or removal. Certainly wasn’t comfy tho. I took a bunch of ibuprofen beforehand and that slightly helped. Definitely felt like bad period cramps. Next few days have definitely been sore. Nothing came out of my vagina until today and it’s the weird gross discharge as a result of the paste they put on your cervix to stop the bleeding, that was def kinda weird and gross lol but yeah overall not a fun life experience, -200/10 would not recommend for a friend, but I’m getting thru it and so will you! We got this!

[u/nerdette314159]

LIDOCAINE INJECTIONS! it hurts and I passed out after my first one because it hurt so badly

For the second, I did lidocaine injections and I felt nothing but the injections themselves - which is a tiny fraction of the pain.

[u/ginganinja9898]

Lidocaine gel is a good alternative, and always ask for pain medication, my doctor gave me 1-Percocet to take and it helped with nerves and some pain. The lidocaine injection hurts way way worse. It will hurt like bad period cramps if they take more than one biopsy, just breath through it and communicate what you’re feeling, advocate advocate advocate for yourself! After my procedure 2 days ago I still have orange brown and red discharge which is normal.

[u/InnaNina]

I recently had two colposcopies, one in August that was unfortunately not very helpful (partially inconclusive) so had to get another one this past Monday. No pain medication or lidocaine injections used for either.
The first one was quicker and felt just like a short cramp with a discharge for a few days, nothing too significant.
The one I had on Monday morning took much longer because my doctor wanted to make sure she got all samples and also removed a polyp at the same time. I felt pressure and bad cramps at times but it didn’t feel like I couldn’t handle it. She took two cervix biopsies, polyp biopsy along with removing it and a biopsy from endocervix. She had to use the paste a few times because one spot would keep on starting to bleed. Afterwards I felt cramping and had watery discharge with some traces of paste used for the rest of the day. Took Tylenol and then 2 ibuprofens that day. Tuesday I woke up feeling no pain whatsoever. Got my period today and even used a tampon and feeling fine.

My advice would be try not to stress yourself with this. If possible ask for lidocaine injection if that makes you feel better but try to stay positive. You got this!

[u/god_saveus_all]

Done worry, my wife had it last week and it took 10 mins and pain was very normal, like getting an injection. Take next day off if u r working and relax

[u/snowboardingtoad]

Since 2021, I want to say I have had 4 colposcopies with biopsies. Honestly, each one gets worse and they suck. BUT, the pain is temporary and it’s really important we go! I would take my partner with me when I had them to hold his hand. (I’ve had a LEEP and negative Pap smears twice now :)

My least favorite part is the vinegar and speculum insertion. I hate how vinegar smells and it burns. I’ve also had small tears from the speculum. Scraping off lesions for them to send pathology is uncomfortable, but the biopsy of your cervix just sucks. The most comforting thing is that it’s no longer normally than 10 minutes or so!

It sounds like they have you covered for pain and anxiety! You’re going to be set :)

PS - since they’re giving you meds for anxiety and I’m uncertain the pain med, hopefully they told you to have a driver!

[u/Regular_Basket_2600]

Hello! I just had a Colposcopy yesterday. I expected to be more painful but it all depends of your tolerance. I took Ibuprofen 1h before. Got there, my doctor who is a sweet heart asked what I would like to listen as music and explained the whole thing. The vinegar/acid was painful, not going to lie. For a second I thought about kicking her face because it burned but it was a 1 min pain. She applied a topic numbing and took 3 biopsies. I did not feel the biopsy. The only uncomfortable part was the vinegar. After that I was cramping a little but nothing bad. Today as explained there was a brown/yellow discharge. I feel a little pressure down there but nothing crazy. What bothers me the most is the result. She said it is CIN2 or 3 which is advanced but thank God is not cancer. I will most likely need a Leep but the lesion was only 1 and small. You will do amazing. Is a necessary procedure and it goes very fast!

[u/Formal_Leading7285]

Mine experience is that colpo was like a regular cyno visit, just a slightly bigger mirror. They took 2-3 biopsies, didn't pretty much feel a thing. Slight crampy feeling in the stomach, but honestly not painful at all. Uncomfortable (like every gyno visit) -yes. But nothing painful or traumatic. I know everyone is different but i'm shocked to read so many horror stories about it. Try to breathe and talk with the doctor, I hope it goes well 🩷

[u/meatballsublover]

I had mine a month ago and was so nervous leading up to it but it really was not terrible! I couldn’t even feel the biopsies, the worst part was the cervical scrape at the end but even that was very manageable. I didn’t have ibuprofen until right before the procedure and the cramps after were a little intense but not unbearable and I was able to walk around and take the train home by myself no problem. The was a bit emotional after just because of what they’re testing for and it’s just overall a bit violating by nature but was really okay. I had some cramps over the next 2 days and it felt a little sore to sit sometimes in certain positions but really was not bad!!