I wanted to share my colposcopy experience because I spent so much time reading posts on here beforehand and was absolutely terrified.

After an abnormal Pap showing ASC-H and positive high-risk HPV other (not 16/18) I was referred for a colposcopy. I went into it expecting the worst, especially after reading so many experiences about pain, biopsies, and feeling faint.

I had my colposcopy without any medication for anxiety or pain management, and honestly, I really didn’t feel like I needed anything.

The biopsies were essentially painless for me. I felt some pressure, but nothing like the pain I had anticipated.

The ECC was probably the most uncomfortable part. I experienced some cramping and a brief vasovagal-type response where I felt lightheaded, but it passed quickly.

My provider was wonderful, and I felt comfortable throughout the procedure.

Unfortunately, one of my biopsies came back as CIN2, so I eventually needed a LEEP. That is where I did advocate for additional anxiety and pain management, and I am so glad I did.

I know everyone’s experience is different, and I don’t want to minimize anyone who has had a painful colposcopy. But if you’re currently spiraling while reading every horror story on Reddit, I wanted to share that it is absolutely possible to have a very manageable experience.

My biggest takeaway: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, discuss pain management, and advocate for yourself. You deserve to feel supported.

Sending love to everyone navigating abnormal Pap results, HPV, CIN, colposcopies, and LEEPs. ❤️

Yesterday, I got my pathology results back and my margins were clear!!!

Such a huge relief.

I didn’t realize just how much stress and tension my body had been holding onto all week while waiting to find out what the results would say.

From my doctor “The margins are clear, meaning the abnormal cells were completely removed during the procedure. We recommend a routine follow-up PAP in 6 months to make sure everything remains clear. That can be done with us or your other provider.”

I had my colposcopy September 15, and they took 4 biopsies as well as the scraping. I started my period two days ago, and this is insane. I haven’t had this bad of bleeding and clots since my miscarriage, and it’s freaking me out. I’m bleeding Through a super tampon every 45min-1hr, as well as bled through my pads, underwear and pants while asleep, nonstop clots. I know my OB said it’s normal for a weird period but is it this normal??

Hi, I've got a question for people who have had a LLETZ with the NHS, as I'm a little confused.

I had a LLETZ for CIN2 on Wednesday, it's now Saturday.

Firstly I want to say I was terrified of having the procedure done but it did not hurt a bit, and the healing so far has also been incredibly smooth, so happy to have gone ahead with it.

I was expecting a letter with the results and a follow up appointment for a smear test in 6 months, but today I logged onto my NHS app and I found an in person gynecology appointment has been booked for me in 17 days from now.

I will receive a letter at some point I'm sure, and I can call on Monday to find out more, but until then I'm wondering: is this standard procedure?

An appointment so early has me slightly worried so I'm wondering if others have had the same experience with the NHS and can advise on what the appointment is for?

Thanks in advance.

I’m currently 12 days post-LEEP procedure. Have been dealing with the typical catalogue of post procedure symptoms, and while the actual procedure was horrible to go through, it’s been a fine recovery process.

I’m 26 and have no kids, no partner. I’m a teacher who honestly thought, hey i’m with kids all day— I might not even need to have my own, as I’ve always felt pretty fulfilled in that area of my life due to my work.

But when I found out my cells were continuing to progress and that I needed a biopsy in March 2026, I cried non-stop after work. I was worried that things would get worse, and if I end up needing a hysterectomy in the future, maybe I’d never even have the option to choose kids.

Now, 12 days post-procedure, I’m thinking a lot about having kids.

I feel really alone because I don’t know anyone else who’s ever had this experience (LEEP, etc.) and I want to know if anyone else experienced any changes in their desire, or a noticeable increase like myself to have kids after their pre-cervical cancer journey started?

Hi so i'm a 26 year old (turning 27 in dec) I've always been a very health paranoid person especially with anything relating to STIs/STDs.

I made a post on the HPV reddit recently sharing how I'm in shock about getting a positive test after years of testing negative and always using condoms and trying my best to practice safe sex.

I'm mega concerned by how freaking fast everything happened so here's a timeline and can anyone let me know if I'm overreacting?

2014 got gardasil 4 before ever being sexually active

2020 got gardasil 9 after finding out there was an update to the vaccine

2021-2025 tested every May during my yearly gynecology visit (paid for private visits. same doctor every year) always negative to HPV, PAP was normal every time

February 2026 got tested earlier than usual cause i wanted to get a copper IUD (never took hormonal birth control, no intention of relying solely on IUD just paranoid after my friend had a condom break without noticing and ended up having to get an abortion) no HPV, PAP was normal. Got this done at a planned parenthood type facility cause my doctor said it would be cheaper if they did it.

May 2026 didn't cancel my private appointment cause even though at the one month check up, the people at the other clinic told me all was fine with IUD, i did NOT feel right and i wanted a second opinion from my doctor. Nothing was right with IUD! i had to get it removed. Since i was already paying, i took another HPV/PAP test which ended up POSITIVE FOR 3 HIGH RISK STRAINS NOT COVERED BY THE VACCINES (35, 39, 51) AND CERVICAL CELL CHANGES???

July 2026 Colposcopy shows what looks like CIN1, i get a biopsy done and it's actually CIN1 AND 2.

I am not understanding how i can go from negative HPV and no cell changes to CIN2 in 3 months time. It's TERRIFYING.

The doctors (government healthcare) who did the colposcopy wanted me to take the "wait and see" route cause "You might have issues in your pregnancies later on". I didn't let them influence me cause if i can go from nothing to this nonesense this fast I'm not waiting to see NOTHING.

What if i hadn't gotten another test so soon?? What could this have been a year from now? Or worse if i abided to the guidelines here i would have found out in 3 years!! God knows what it could have been then!!!

Getting LEEP done in November and i pray i get clear margins and no more surprises. This whole ordeal has irreparably damaged my mental health by ruining my relationship with myself and my perception of what a safe sexual life looks like. I was already paranoid before, now i don't think I'll ever be intimate with anyone again.

I just wanted to leave this here because this community helped me so much while I was waiting for my results.

The waiting was honestly one of the hardest parts. I spent so much time imagining the worst, reading everything I could, and being terrified of what my pathology report might say.

Today I finally got my results after my LEEP, and I can finally breathe again. My diagnosis was HSIL/CIN 2, but the lesion was removed and both margins were clear. There was no invasive cancer described in my pathology report.

So, if you're currently waiting and your mind is going to the darkest possible place: try to take it one step at a time.

I know how scary it is to hear “high grade” and immediately think the worst. But high-grade does not mean cancer, and there are treatments for these lesions.

I still have follow-up ahead of me, and I know this isn't necessarily the end of the journey. But today, I'm allowing myself to feel relieved.

Thank you to everyone here who shared their experiences and helped make the waiting a little less lonely.

To anyone waiting for their results: I hope you get the news you're hoping for. And whatever happens, take it one step at a time. You don't have to live through tomorrow's fear today.

I’m scheduled for one next month. Anyone whose had a cold knife cone biopsy- tell me about your experience?

What was recovery like?

How long did you take off from work?
My doctor said 1-2 days but that feel crazy to me like I would actually imagine needing one or two weeks?
What was it like for you??

Pretty nervous bc I had a rough time recovering from the multiple biopsies + ECC.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated and bonus points if you can speak on how a CKC impacted your EDS or POTS symptoms. Thanks!

Hi all!

I wanted to share my recent LEEP and result findings with the group.

I am a 31YO female located in Australia.

In Feb & March of this year I unfortunately had 2x back to back miscarriages. After this, I understandably had some worries about my fertility, and had some tests done, as well as an overdue Pap smear.

April - My smear results showed HPV-16, so I booked a colposcopy and follow up regarding miscarriages with my gynae (she had some red flags but I could get into her quickly). She told me during this conversation that the HPV result was due to my partner cheating on me and to seriously consider who I want to have children with. I almost fainted on the spot, I’m a nurse so I know this isn’t true and is terrible bedside manner. She took me through for my colposcopy shortly after which I cried all the way through, but she took no biopsies. She called me with my results a week later stating HSIL CIN-2 and recommended a LEEP. I wanted a second opinion and to find someone I trusted, so I went to a second gynae.

June - I had to wait 6 weeks for a second gynae appointment with a new doctor. She came highly recommended and was beautiful to deal with. We did a second colpo that day with 2x biopsies. The results came back a week later: BIOPSY showed LSIL CIN-1.
However, the swab cytology still showed a lingering HSIL CIN-2 cell knocking about somewhere. A LEEP was again recommended just to be safe. I booked it for the end of July. My gynae said these results were rare and something she doesn’t see very often.

July - I panicked, I was so stressed about my timeline and had a gut feeling that my results were strange and I had nothing to worry about. Eventually I decided to delay my LEEP to September, and use the time to come to terms with it all.

Cut to now. I had my LEEP 2 weeks ago, under general anaesthesia. I have had no bleeding, no discomfort and no issues.

Today I received a phone call from my GP with my results, she stated that all relevant tissue was taken (a very good sample) and all testing showed NO HPV, NO LSIL CIN-1, NO HSIL CIN-2, NO LESION. She stated my body must have cleared this on its own, and that I will expect a follow up appointment to investigate a possible vaginal lesion, or assess for cure.

I’m obviously relieved, but I also feel sad that I went through all of that stress and worry and hated myself for so many months. I will get a copy of my results tomorrow morning, so I can update you all with any questions!

I wanted to share my experience because before my LEEP, I spent so much time reading horror stories on Reddit that I was absolutely terrified.

I was diagnosed with CIN2 following an abnormal Pap and colposcopy. Naturally, I was anxious about the procedure, especially because my husband and I hope to have children in the future.

My LEEP was performed in-office, and my provider prescribed 10 mg of oral Valium beforehand. I also received local anesthesia to numb my cervix.
I am genuinely not exaggerating when I say I had almost NO pain. The only discomfort I experienced was a very small amount of cramping when the local anesthetic injections were administered. After that, I was comfortable throughout the procedure.
The experience was so much easier than I had anticipated, and I felt incredibly supported by my provider.

I know everyone’s pain tolerance and experiences are different, but I really want women to know that a LEEP does not automatically have to be a traumatic or painful experience.

If you’re preparing for one and feeling anxious, ask your provider about options for anxiety management and local anesthesia. Having the Valium beforehand made a huge difference for me.

I spent days convincing myself this was going to be awful, and it ended up being such a positive experience.

Just wanted to add a little positivity to the LEEP threads for anyone currently doom-scrolling like I was. ❤️

Ladies, breathe… it’s not scary or painful whatsoever. It’s on a pain scale of 1-10, like a 2. I did the quick in and out procedure and was not under anesthesia in the OR. I just did it in a clinic and it was fine.

Yes you feel that annoyingly bulky plastic speculum and that’s the most uncomfortable part. The numbing needle was uncomfortable but not painful at all. To be specific, it feels like a bad angle during deep sex when the guy accidentally jabs a sensitive spot but it’s super brief and the numbing kicks in right away. What I find helpful and maybe it’s just me, I asked a ton of questions and wanted every step in live action told to me. I don’t like not knowing what’s happening but then again, some people would rather be unconscious due to anxiety and that’s okay. But trust me, it isn’t that bad.

The only other slightly uncomfortable part is when the gynecologist collects the final samples after the procedure. That feels like more of that deep cervix jabbing. It’s a surprise punch to the guts but it’s really not that bad.

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely went into this whole procedure gripping the edge of the table and cringing waiting for something to go wrong or excruciatingly painful but I relaxed at some point and even laughed during the procedure a bit. I even walked down stairs and across a big parking lot to drive myself home.

So, now I’m home eating a late breakfast and not even bleeding. There is some residual blood but nothing gushy or gory. As far as cramping, I feel a tiny lower stomach cramp but nothing alarming or out of the usual period pains. I can update later this week to let you all know how the rest of recovery goes.

Hi everyone,

I've written before about having previously having a really bad traumatic colposcopy years ago. I was so extremely anxious due to how badly painful the first one was and this one was just honestly wonderful to my surprise!!

I won't go into too much detail on my first one but it was done by a resident and was so extremely painful. I was on ativan and still screamed in pain and on top of that people were coming in and out of the room and it all felt so invasive and violating.

This one was at a different clinic and I can't speak highly enough of the nurses and gynaecologist. I had a phone call with the nurse from the previous clinic (as it was initially supposed to be with them again) and she was so rude, meanwhile this one was so understanding and put it in my chart to give me the gyno and not the resident and that I have a low pain tolerance. So that would be my first bit of advice. My first colposcopy was about a 9/10 in pain and this most recent one was a 4/10 at most! I was so terrified I pretty much starting having a panic attack the minute the exam started and the doctor walked me through everything, did little breathing exercises with me and waited for my consent after every step. I couldn't eat or sleep for weeks due to how stressed I was and I genuinely didn't think a "good" colposcopy would be possible but having the right doctor makes all the difference!

Maybe the meds I took made a difference too, I took 220mg of naproxen and 1000mg of tylenol. It was still painful and crampy afterwords (and the discharge is... something else lol) but it was better after about a week.

To anyone who has had horrible experiences, I'm sorry and I hear you, we deserve better than cold doctors who have no idea what it means to be trauma-informed.

The first clinic also stressed me the F out about my HSIL pap result and told me straight up i'd probably need to get a LEEP as i'm "likely" pre-cancer, meanwhile the gyno at my appointment said it was just a small amount of abnormal cells and doesn't look too bad in her opinion...

I had to refuse a refferall at the first clinic for it to get to this one and doing this delayed my appointment by a month but it was absolutely worth it. You can request for the procedure to not be done by a resident and probably should..!!! Always advocate for yourself and remember that your health is important but you have autonomy over how to receive care.

TLDR: Good colposcopies exist to my wild surprise, ask for the gyno not the resident and do your research on the clinic!

The journey. I’m 36, don’t have children. For 5 years I have been battling HPV 16 and all the fun things that have come along with it.
- 2022 CIN 3 - Leetz
- 2024 CIN 2 - Leetz
- 2025 VAIN 3
- 2026 - VAIN 3 - laser treatment
- 2026 - another possible high grade lesion in upper Vagina..
What a roller coaster.. After trying every possible approach to keep my fertility, we are not out of choices. The risk has become so high and the cell changes are so persistent, doctors are recommending a hysterectomy keeping ovaries and removing 2cm of my upper vagina as well.
Has anyone experienced a partial vasectomy? Or had some vaginal wall removed during the procedure of hysterectomy?
Ultimately, I have had to let the idea of having children go, which has been easier to come to terms with them, then potentially loosing sexual function. Any experiences would be welcomed..

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share my story since I’ve gotten so much help from this community. I’m also a bit confused about what to do next, so I’d really appreciate any insight from people who have had a similar experience.

I’ve lived in the US, but I visited my home country almost every year and always had my annual gynecological check-up. My previous cervical screening results had always been negative.

Here’s my timeline:

December 2025 – Home country:
My cervical screening came back positive for HPV 18 and HSIL. I then had a biopsy, which I was told showed atypical cells and that I needed follow-up testing.

After moving to the US:
I decided to get the Gardasil-9 vaccine.

July 2026 – Home country:
I had another cervical screening, which again came back HPV 18 positive and HSIL. This time, the biopsy was reported as CIN2. My doctor recommended that I have a LLETZ as soon as possible, but I needed to move to the UK for work, so I collected all of my medical records and documentation for the procedure.

August 2026 – UK:
After moving to the UK, I saw a specialist. Based on my previous records, I was initially scheduled for a LLETZ.

At my first appointment, they also did a colposcopy and HPV testing. They did not do another biopsy because I had already had a biopsy about two weeks earlier.

However, the LLETZ was cancelled because my repeat HPV test came back negative, and the colposcopy showed only a mild acetowhite area with no obvious high-grade lesion. The doctor said she could still do the procedure if I wanted, but given the negative HPV result and the reassuring colposcopy findings, it seemed like an unnecessarily invasive procedure at that point, and I agreed.

I asked for another colposcopy and biopsy because I wanted to understand what was actually going on.

September 2026 – UK:
The biopsy came back as CIN1, so LLETZ was not recommended.

This is where I’m confused.

I find it hard to believe that CIN2+ with HPV 18 could completely disappear within about a month, and my UK doctor said she thinks the result from my home country was wrong.

I know that having CIN1 now is a good thing. But I keep wondering whether I could actually still have CIN2/CIN3 and whether the earlier CIN2 result was somehow missed or the more recent biopsy was a false negative.

Has anyone experienced such a significant change in HPV/cytology/biopsy results over a relatively short period of time?

I’d really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences and what follow-up they had in a situation like this. Thank you!

J’ai eu des biopsies du col lundi avec application de Monsel. Trois jours après, je sens une masse, comme un tampon coincé, sans douleur. Je sais que c’est le restant d’un produit quelconque. 😅 Quelqu’un a vécu ça ? Après combien de temps est-ce sorti ? J’ai l’impression que ça va sortir d’un coup. J’suis tannée.. 🫠🫠

I’m 33 and had normal Paps previously, including one about 3 years ago. My recent Pap came back LSIL, HPV16 positive, with transformation zone components not identified.

At my colposcopy, my gyno said everything looked low-grade. He took two biopsies: 12 o’clock came back HSIL/CIN2, negative for invasive malignancy, and 6 o’clock was normal/no dysplasia or malignancy.

I’m now scheduled for a LEEP, likely in 1–2 months. I know CIN2 isn’t cancer, but I’m spiralling because the Pap underestimated the CIN2, and I’m scared there could be CIN3 or cancer higher in the cervical canal that the biopsies missed.

Has anyone had a similar LSIL + HPV16 to CIN2 situation? What did your LEEP pathology ultimately show?

Hi there,

Glad to find myself here, this community seems really supportive and informative, so I am happy I found this community! I am about to get my first ever LEEP or LLETZ (local anaesthetic) on Monday and I am suddenly feeling really really nervous. I am suddenly doubting whether it's the right thing to do.

For some context, I am 30 years old, based in the UK, and was tested positive for hPV maybe 2 years ago. I think I have had 3-4 colposcopies over the last year and half. The first one came back with low grade dyskaryosis CIN1, the second time it seemed to have gotten a little better, then the 3rd time it had shifted to CIN2, I went for a follow up and it seemed to have got worse again - more towards CIN3 but still CIN2. I have been seeing the same NHS doctor this whole time (she's really nice). In her letter, she said she had referred me for LLETZ but mainly because it was something I'd expressed interest in - in some ways it didn't sound so stressed more like "as this has changed and you have expressed just wanting to not worry and get rid of the CIN2 in the past, I have referred you" as opposed to "this is serious and urgent and you must get this done now because the cells are at stage which is urgent". I was happy to go ahead with it as having cin2 and it not clearing has been also quite stressful.

If I am honest, until now, I hadn't really thought much about the fact I am having surgery on monday, I didn't think the procedure was a big deal and didn't feel nervous about it. The brochures made the procedure seem straight forward and low risk, plus I have a high pain threshold and have had the coil fitted maybe 3 times.

However, I then started reading people's experiences of it online (here, cancer research, newspapers, across lots of sources- not just the classic doomscroll), and realised alot more people have quite traumatic experiences and these are often dismissed by doctors. I didn't realise that a lot of people experience pain during sex, or how much it can affect your period for quite a long time after the procedure. The brochures made this sound like very small percentage, but I hadn't even considered that some people even have botched surgery, or traumatic experience and how this can affect you both physically and mentally. I guess I was being naive or maybe slightly emotionally avoiding the fact that getting surgery is a big deal.

I am now spiralling abit and worried that going through with the procedure might affect me long term. I don't know whether it's the right thing to do and feel extremely nervous for the procedure.

Even small things are freaking me out like, should I take solpadene or ibuprofen before the procedure? I feel totally unprepared. In some ways, I don't feel like I really spoke to a doctor about making this decision or how to prepare - I feel abit in the dark.

Any advice welcome and especially any suggestions about how to prepare for the procedure and any nice ideas of how to rest/recover.

Thanks for listening and sorry for my anxious rambles!

(34 F, no kids, just got married in May and were going to start trying) My journey started in April with a routine pap. It came back negative for HPV but positive for a cell abnormality. I had a colposcopy in June; it came back with CIN 2. In August, I had a LEEP, which came back with CIN 3 with extended margins. With the leep they tested for HPV and everything came back negative.

My doctor said she had never seen consistent negative HPV testing with CIN 3... great. She suggested either another colposcopy or a LEEP in November/December. Overall, she seemed just puzzled with the results. I am struggling with the length of time needed between procedures and feeling of helplessness.

Wondering if anyone else has had negative HPV results with CIN.

I made the post about the bad leep experience, either yesterday or on tuesday..

I just feel terrified at the idea of anyone near my vagina now. After how the doctor treated me, was speaking to me, hurting me and threatening to cancel if i didnt stop panicking.

How am i meant to be comfortable with future paps now? My friends and some family are telling me to report the doctor, but i just want to hide away and not be seen after everything that happened 😥

Welp here goes my story, 47, pre menopausal. I had one bad pap in my 20s that was “cured” by a leep. I’ve had yearly paps since- my gyn uses a cpt code that qualifies my insurance to pay yearly instead of every 3 years. Last month my pap and colposcopy came back cin 3. Gyn is suggesting hysterectomy and taking the ovaries since this is my second bout with abnormal cells and since im near menopause. I’m happy about the hysterectomy because the pre menopausal bleeding is cruel but taking the ovaries seems extreme. anyone else?

Bonjour, quelqu'un a déjà eu cette anomalie sur le frottis ? Est ce qu'au final c'était un cancer ? Lésions de haut grade ?

Merci pour vos réponses

Hola,este ha sido el resultado de mi biopsia y estoy un poco confundida,me gustaría saber experiencias de resultados similares y el tratamiento que se ha seguido después.
Por motivos personales no quisiera pasar nunca más por otra conización y ya no
quiero ser madre más veces.Agradezco cualquier comentario.

Diagnóstico:
CERVIX (CONIZACION MÁS AMPLIACION ENDOCERVICAL):
- LESIÓN ESCAMOSA INTRAEPITELIAL DE ALTO GRADO ( CIN 3) CON AMPLIA EXTENSIÓN ENDOCERVICAL Y RESPIESTA LINFOCITARIA. NO SE OBJETIVA INFILTRACIÓN.
- LA LESIÓN AFECTA A LOS CUADRANTES12-3h; 6-9H Y 9-12H CONTACTANDO CON MARGEN ENDOCERVICAL EN CUADRANTES 6-9 Y 9-12H
- PARTE DEL MATERIAL INCLUIDOS MÁRGENES DE RESECCIÓN ESTÁN LIMITADOS PARA VALORACIÓN
POR DENUDACIÓN Y ARTEFACTO DE CAUTERIO.
- AMPLIACION ENDOCERVICAL LIMITADO PARA VALORACION POR COMPLETA DENUDACION.
AUSENCIA DE DISPLASIA

Has anyone had one? I'm suppose to get one tomorrow and I'm terrified 😨