Attending a Colposcopy

My dear has given me permission to recount this here. Sharing as

everything turned out well in the end so we might as well enjoy the

journey LOL.

My partner (GF is just inadequate and we’re not married) had a

severely abnormal Pap 6 months ago that triggered a debate on the best

way to proceed. From there – Wedge resection of the cervix or a wait

and see. We adopted the wait and see but that wait and see

incorporated a colposcopy with biopsy as part of it. I didn’t attend

the first one – the results came back as abnormal but not cancerous

cells with clear margins. She found the procedure quite unpleasant

and asked me to attend the follow up for moral support. I was happy

to do so.

We both have a med fet – me more so. Many have pointed out here the

reality isn’t always fun for the patient and this was one of those

instances. For me, though, it was a different story and now that we

know the results of the follow on were 100% clear of abnormal cells –

for her too.

So here’s the recap: We get called in to the procedure room. It’s

small with a smallish exam table and the colposcope there in the room

– think of a cross between a microscope, a telescope and dentist

equipment and you’ve pretty much got what it looks like. She’s asked

to undress from the waist down and lay down with the drape. Way hot

that she’s just doing that rather than putting on a gown.

She does, he comes in, raises the table (it’s flat, head is not

raised) and she’s asked to put her feet in the stirrups. They’re low.

She does, gets the ‘scoot down’ and the ‘let your legs fall open,

wider, wider’.

He inserts the speculum and then asks for a larger one – inserts that

and opens it, I feel her stiffen as it opens. He sets up the scope

looking at her – I can’t see the good parts, the drape is in the way

and I’m sitting by her head. Swabs her cervix with vinegar and then

tells her he’s going to take biopsies at 1, 4, 6 and 11 and the nurse

gives him a bite biopsy tool – which if you’ve ever seen one is kind

of terrifying looking. Google it. Does the biopsies – one was

apparently really painful as she yelped and squeezed my hand hard –

she confirms it hurt like hell and then paints her cervix with a

coagulant to stop the bleeding. There was a small amount of blood on

the paper of the table after but very little and there was very

letting bleeding after (she put on a pad).

All of the biopsies came back completely normal and she should be good

with just a regular Pap in 6 months.

Questions welcome.

I empathize. I went through the same procedure a few times, years ago. It was one of the most unpleasant procedures I can think and I doubt they've improved it any since I had it done. I'm glad that you were with her and that the results are clear.

Thanks. Her gyno is a really decent guy. Thorough and caring. His response when told I was there for moral support: 'good. That's important.'

I am aware of the total procedure of colposcopy and also cervical biopsies: i'm glad you both chosed the wait and see aproach and that aproach worked. ( i have lived many years ago a similar situation with my ex-wife...)

All's Well That Ends Well

William Shakespeare

Obrigado doutor! Btw, it's OK if this turns you on. Everything worked out ok in the end and while it was unpleasant for her to go through, we both understand that with distance it can be hot.

Yes DrPhilips and thank you.A colposcopy examination it is hot indeed!

I had a colposcopy done about 25 yrs ago . I had a PAP smear result that resulted in a question of possible cervical cancer. So, the colposcopy was done to, as described, take several wedge sections of my cervix for biopsy. Thank God, the results of the biopsies were negative. I did not have cancer. But, the procedure was very, very painful. I went into it not expecting it to be so painful since the GYN had described it as feeling a little pinch. It was way more than a pinch, little of large. So in my mind, even 25 yrs later, it was one of the most painful experiences in my life. As a result, no amt. of time later will ever make it an erotic experience for me. Being in the knee supports for that procedure brings as much erotic thoughts as sitting in a freezing cold igloo in a head to toe snow suit would bring...even all these years later.

Colposcopy examination and cervical biopsy are different things even if they frequently coincide being the colposcopy mainly a mean to guide the areas in which to collect cervical samples with biopsy punch cervical forceps ( and that can really be painful!).A colposcopy may however be conducted as a routine examination with no sampling removal if no abnormal areas found at reaction to the acetic acid ( basically vinnegar that is used to previous swab the cervix). The colposcope allows to magnify the cervix and in presence of lesions other options than biopsy like chryotherapy or electrocoagulation may be used.

The cervical exam after acetic acid is applied to the cervix using cotton swabs, may also be done without the colposcope for direct vizualization only.

Now called VIA: visual inspection with acetic acid, is being widely used in developing countries to prevent cervical cancer as an alternative to HPV dna tests and pap smears.

Here's a link about VIA:

http://std.about.com/od/gettingtested/f/viatest.htm

Concerning the erotic component at the colposcopy it's not for me off course about women suffering but only at the thoroughness of the procedure and prolonged exposure of the patient that for play exam scenario may very well be substituted by a VIA.

Exactly. The biopsy part is miserable, the exposure and examination however...

I’ve had a colposcopy as well and being open with the speculum for that long is bad enough but the biopsies are so so painful! It is all done without any numbing or sedations as well.

@drphillips – I love watching my wife get stretched open and if something hurts a little that is hotter yet. i know im sick, but it is hot. My wife had an endomitrial biopsy that hurt her like the dickens.

she often says stuff about how miserable it feels being stretched open by a speculum, but i cant get her to give me details.

if any women like to write, please could you describe the feelings in detail.

Thanks for sharing the report! Glad the biopsies were negative, sorry they hurt--I can imagine!

Amazing story, glad all turned out well obviously.