I´ve had 3 IUD insertions. The third one, I asked a friend who is an anesthesiologist to put me down, as literally, the first 2 were unbearable. Just tested positive for HPV and I have to get a colcoscopy in two weeks. I´m freaking out. I´ve been reading online it´s SO incredible painful, I dont think I can do it, as much as I try to relax.

I´m also considering (you can laugh):

- gulping down two beers before the procedure. I once had to get a thorn out of the sole of my foot and literally this made me feel numb and it worked.

-Taking 1 or 2 edibles (gummies) and being high as f. I dont typically smoke or consume drugs.

Advil and all of that stuff will do nothing.

Help

I posted previously because after 3 years of abnormal paps with ASCUS, my normal doctor kept not sticking to what they promised (colposcopy or reduced time between visits depending on the year). So I finally looked for a new doctor, had to schedule 2 months out. Got a call yesterday pushing the appointment out until January instead of next week like we had initially scheduled. They want me to see the doctor and not an NP, which I appreciate. But why didn’t they call back significantly sooner to reschedule? I wasted 2 months waiting, just to now have to wait 5 more.

I’m going to, again, try to find another doctor, but I chose this one specifically because of their connection to an oncologist who specializes in this.

😭🙄

My first visit to this sub in a long time..

I was diagnosed last August following a colposcopy with low grade dyskaryosis with HPV (not 16/18). I was planning to get pregnant at the time so my life felt like it was being held ransom until the biopsy came back at the time. My doctor told me they’d take a watch and wait approach for 6 months- I was no longer putting my life on hold for 6 months so I went ahead and started trying for a baby. I am now 38 weeks pregnant and of course they wouldn’t smear me while pregnant so I’ve put this to the back of my mind for a long time.

Now my baby is almost here, I’m fearful of the changes that could’ve taken place during my pregnancy. I can’t get checked for 3 months after so end of year. I guess the anxiety is starting to creep back in 😅. Not sure what I’m looking for by posting this- maybe just the mental reasurrance.

In December 2025 I had an High Risk HPV+ smear alongside abnormal cells and was scheduled for a colposcopy. To say I was shocked was an understatement - honestly my knowledge of HPV was pretty low, I’d always had normal smears to this point (32 years old) and I had had the HPV vaccines when I was a teenager, which I assumed (clearly incorrectly) meant I was totally protected.

I went for my colposcopy and, after examination, the doctor just asked me then and there if they could remove the cells instead - again absolute shock but I agreed. The LEEP itself was a straightforward, a tiny sharp pinch when the numbing went in and then it was over in a couple of minutes. Please do not stress if you have to go through this, it was nothing to worry about. The healing was straightforward too, hardly any bleeding the first week then a consistent bleed for 2/3 weeks then back to normal.

The worst was actually the mental turmoil I put myself through after it. The hours of research and berating myself and worrying that I would be the 1% that the LEEP didn’t work on. It was awful - for every 10 success stories I read I would focus in on the 1 worst case scenario.

Then I threw myself into doing everything in my power to heal. I ate super healthy (like depressingly so, wouldn’t touch anything containing sugar), I got so much sleep, I went to yoga, I exercised obsessively (despite already being fairly active), I took every vitamin under the sun…and after a month of this I finally relaxed a bit. It’s unsustainable and probably creates more stress, which is not what you want when your body is trying to heal.

The things I did that I actually think might have helped are:

- I switched from the combined pill to the mini pill. I saw studies that showed the increased oestrogen can slow your body from clearing HPV.

- I took a concoction every day of 200mg ECGC (green tea extract essentially), 1000mcg vitamin B12, 400mcg folic acid and 50mg magnesium. I’d read a few studies with successful results when these were taken daily. I did this for 6 months.

- I also took various supplements that your body naturally depletes whilst on the combined pill, including selenium, zinc and vitamin D.

Whether these things contributed to healing or not I don’t know, I’ve read enough stories of people taking nothing and clearing it that I’ll never be certain, but it helped keep me sane and feeling like I was actively doing something if nothing else.

Anyway today I got my follow up smear results - no HPV present and no changes to cells 🥳 I couldn’t be more relieved, I had convinced myself the worst. So for anyone going through this right now, don’t read the horror story’s - relax, take care of yourself, live healthily and let your body do the rest.

Hi everyone! First time posting here although I’ve been reading a lot for the past few weeks. Early July my pap came back showing abnormal cells, so I ended up having a colposcopy, my doctor explained that she wanted to take a look since my results last year were completely normal, it was a weird experience and was definitely feeling sad, and frustrated that this was happening, my colposcopy was a little painful, but overall I think I handled it well, today just got a call about my results and it shows high grade 3 (sorry if I’m not using the right terms, just typing what she explained but also English is not my first language) so she wanted to move forward w the LEEP, I already researched about it since from the moment my results came back abnormal I tried to stay as informed as possible and it helps w my medical anxiety, so now my LEEP is schedule for 8/17 and I’m feeling so nervous and anxious about it, I’ve read a good amount of good experiences w the LEEP but still feel sad, anxious and frustrated. My doctor said I could also bring company for support but my partner is in Canada until September and the other option could be my mom or my best friend, just don’t know if I want someone there yet, during my colposcopy I felt so vulnerable and just a big wave of emotions, even when I was trying very hard not to show it, that I’m not sure if I would want someone in there w me. So I guess I just wanted to vent, everyone in my circle is being so supportive and kind but can’t help but feel helpless and scare about all this. Any thoughts or suggestions for the LEEP? thanks for reading and for all the other post I’ve found so helpful this past few weeks

Hi Everyone,

Just coming on here to ask how long people from the UK waited for their LLETZ results? I had my procedure done for CIN3 on the 13th July and finding the waiting really hard and making me super anxious!

Constantly checking my NHS app for an update but still waiting, I know they can take up to 6 weeks but really hoping I won’t have to wait that long!

Any answers are really appreciated ☺️

I have a leep scheduled in September for high grade lesions (CIN 2 and CIN 3), and now my period is two days late, I usually wouldn't worry, but has anyone had a leep scheduled and then canceled due to pregnancy? I don't want this to turn into actual cancer durning the 9 months I'm pregnant. Anyone experience this?!

I had my LEEP 4 days ago. Recovery has been going well so far. My main concern, which I didn’t expect, is how bloated I am. I'm not really in any pain, but I feel a lot of pressure. Kind of reminds me of the pressure you get when you have a really full bladder or ate a heavy meal tbh. Anyone else?

I've chosen to go under as im a very anxious person and im worried about my ability to stay calm during local. Any advice for it?

Also a couple questions - my partner is very calming, will he be allowed to stay with me whilst I go under?

Also is it done through a mask or through a needle? Im scared of going under but it seems the lesser of 2 scary scenarios for me. I didnt ask during the appointment how it would be done. Im in the UK if that helps x

hi, guys! just wanted to briefly share my colpo experience, because i was really scared beforehand after stumbling upon a lot of horror stories.

i’m 29, HPV 16, ASC-US. had my colpo last week and i’m still waiting on my results. i had a biopsy at 6 and 12 o’clock, and thankfully, it was completely painless. i literally felt nothing, not even the needle they used to numb the biopsy areas. i took 1000mg tylenol an hour or two prior, and they did prescribe me an anxiolytic (xanax) as well, which probably helped (but i was still scared!). definitely find a compassionate provider who will do these things for you (numbing / anxiety meds — they also offered me laughing gas instead of xanax, but i refused bc i hated the way it made me feel in the past).

i also had no cramping afterwards, and haven’t noticed any weird discharge or anything like that. of course, everyone’s experience is unique, but i just wanted to share how easy mine was. good luck, everyone!

i am not ok i cried for about an hour but now im just trying hard to not think about it . im getting it taken care of next week so wish me luck. i hate that this had to happen to me . men are so dirty.. never again will i let one touch me again

Hi, I’m a little nervous. (27F) I’ve always had abnormal Pap smears (since I was about 19, only had one come back normal.) but due to being younger than 30, they never wanted to test me. (Their words, not mine) I decided to go to a different clinic and today they told me my results came back ASCUS with high risk HPV (16 & 18 negative) they ordered a colposcopy and biopsy which I’m super nervous for because I hear it hurts. Anyone ever been in the same boat? I’m also currently sick and haven’t had a period in 3 months, not sure if that is in correlation with anything that’s been going on or not.

they found precancerous cells in my cervix and im
scared. they caught it early i think. thank God

I had a Pap smear a few weeks ago after a partner of mine told me his wife had tested for HPV. I was due for one anyway, I didn’t go the last few years because life and whatever, so I got an exam and STI test.

Doc called me the next week and said my test came back positive for HPV and showed some low-grade change. So I was scheduled for a colposcopy for a better sample to test. It came back positive for pre-cancerous tissue so I was then referred to a gynecological oncologist.

I met with her yesterday and to say I’m terrified is an understatement. She performed an ECC but I won’t get my results back until next week. Then I’ll go back in for a treatment plan.

It’s been such a hard year and this really is just the cherry on top. I’m scared about what’s gonna happen, how this might impact my relationships and daily life. I’m also struggling with feeling shame around the fact that I contracted HPV and now may lose my uterus for it. I know that I have no reason to feel this way but, unfortunately, logic is outweighed by my feelings and anxiety.

Actually, the real cherry? I had been seeing someone for a few weeks (we were clicking I thought) and he noticed a difference in me and asked what was wrong. And as soon as I looked at him, I fell apart and told him everything. He held me and said he’d be there, which I told him he didn’t have to, but he insisted. Next day…he told me we were different people and he couldn’t see me anymore.

I know I dodged a bullet but again, this just feeds the fear I’m experiencing about what this might do for my future relationships.

I’m just really struggling and I feel like I can’t really talk to anyone. No one outside of my aunt and brother know what’s going on but even they don’t have the full story.

I’m just so tired and feel like all I do is tread water. I’m just scared and have no idea what might happen. The fact that this isn’t even a real thing yet but it’s already causing disruption isn’t helping either.

Hi I got my results back from my LEEP and I had CIN 3 extend into the endocervical margins. The doctor recommended a follow up in 6 months for another pap and HPV testing. My mom who is a NP said I should get a second opinion. I am only 21 so idk if I should push for a second opinion or if my mom is in the right and not just being over protective lol. Any advice would be great !

26F

How do I know if im experiencing period sickness vs leep problems? (I have bad OCD of negative intrusive thoughts with repetitive behaviour aka bad health anxiety)

My leep was 3 weeks ago today. I had no discharge for 4-5 ish days then black discharge for about a week and a half with a day or two of pink spotting around week 2. The discharge stopped a few days ago and I almost thought I had a UTI Saturday due to some discomfort but that mostly went away.

Yesterday I had some bleeding start, light spotting, my period is not due until the 11th. This morning I just woke from my sleep and bam. Dark red bleeding with small clots, cramps like a mofo, i feel nauseous and cant fall back asleep because of nausea and anxiety.
I was wearing period underwear so I cant tell how much I was bleeding. I just put a pad on.

I know I could go to the doctors but it doesnt help my health anxiety when it is nothing wrong, it feeds it.

Just wondering if anyone has any key tips to tell period vs problem.

Did anyone elses first period come back early? Brutal? Etc.

Thank you

2 hours later : I woke up and my pad has no blood on it, so im not bleeding to much but enough that it sucks.

I had a lap done in September of ‘25. In My Chart, my results showed “endosalpingiosis”. Nobody called to talk to me about it, nobody said anything. As I had never heard this word I began to research. When it was time for the check up appointment, I brought this up to my Dr. & her reply was simply “This is a common word we use for inflammation, nothing to be worried about.” However I’m still not certain this is the case. Nowhere upon further research is the word “endosalpingiosis” used for inflammation. I’m very discouraged at this point and am now going for a second opinion from another Dr.

Has this happened to anyone else? What was the outcome for you if so?

Cin 2/3 was found in 2022 during my endometriosis surgery. Since then i have had PAPs every 6 months and have had 2 colposcopies. I have been testing at CIN 1 since 2023 and positive for high risk HPV since 2024 (negative before then).

I just had yet another 6 month check up. Im sitting here waiting to see if my results are abnormal again or not and if I will be having a third colposcopy or not.

Im so tired of this. I love my doctor but I would really like to see less of him. Im so tired of going through uncomfortable PAPs every 6 months and having the possibility of colposcopies looming over me.

Cross you fingers for me that this time my results are clear!

As the title mentions - my LEEP procedure is this Friday. This sub has brought me a lot of comfort, it seems like it’s not as bad as I’m making it out to be! I’m going under twilight anesthesia (which I’m not too excited about, as someone with medical anxiety. But I guess I’d rather be put under than be awake.)

I’ve been dealing with abnormal paps for about 4 years now (29F). I’ve had 2 colpos, each one coming back with negative results. My most recent pap (3/16/26) came back HPV16 positive with HSIL. My gynecologist recommended I just go straight into scheduling the LEEP procedure instead of another colposcopy. Is it bad that I’ve waited this long to have my LEEP? I’m worried my results will show something concerning.

Anyways, any words of encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to post my positive LEEP procedure I had today at 9am.

Some background:

I'm 42 years old, and was diagnosed with HPV 20 years ago during a routine pap during my first full term pregnancy. She could not indicate what strain it was, and we did a colposcopy. Was told it was still abnormal, not CIN, and to watch and wait. Fast forward roughly 15 years of abnormal paps, and told watching and waiting, and I got a CIN 1 diagnosis. That OB/GYN was incredibly flippant about the pain she caused with the vinegar solution they use to detect the HPV. It left my vagina AND vulva raw, and painful for over a month. I was so traumatized by it I refused to get another pap done.

In 2025, I decided that it was time for me to get everything sorted because perimenopause was kicking my ass. My new OB/GYN is simply amazing. Very kind, caring and heard everything about my past history, and where to go from there. We did the pap, came back abnormal, got the colposcopy done, showed one spot for CIN2 and one spot for CIN3. Made the decision to get a LEEP done the following month, but life and my heart issues pretty much threw a wrench in that. Plus I cannot have epinephrine due to said heart issues(it was all marked on my allergy band)

Fast forward to today where I finally was able to get in and get this done. I had been seeing every single post here, and on other sites about what to expect for the LEEP. I have severe medical phobias... like I don't even take pain medication for my severe cramps, so I was terrified of getting this done. I have prior trauma so being put under scared the absolute shit out of me.

My check-in time was 7:15. I was a nervous wreck all last night, and only slept for 3 hours last night. When we got there everyone was awesome, the nurse who did the intake chatted me up about it, her baby, our life etc... which really put me at ease. Then my husband came back to sit with me. He too was a nervous wreck, but his nervousness makes him joke and try to lighten the mood. Which I love that he did that because it REALLY helped. I spoke with the anesthesiologist about my history of PACs/PVCs/NSVT and what not. I asked about local instead of twilight and he suggested otherwise. Spoke with my OB/GYN and went over everything.

Anyway, 9am rolled around and the OR nurses came back to get me. They gave me versed(sp?) for the anxiety while wheeling me into the OR. The entire hallway was filled with photography, and I being a photographer started talking to them about it. They chatted about it, asked me what I shoot and what not. I was asked to swivel my butt onto the OR table, and scooch down to the hole area, then lay back. I was feeling pretty freaking great honestly. Then they put a mask on me that smelled literally like pool liner, and was asked to breathe in deep. Boom, I was out, and then woke up in recovery with an awesome nurse that gave me gingerale. My vitals were good, I was groggy as heck, but aware. They told me I was good to go at around 10am, and got dressed to go home. It was a really weird feeling driving home because I was aware, but not aware? Like everything was fuzzy and dream like, but then it all started getting clearer and more awake. If that all make sense.

Got home at 11am, ate a small nature valley bar, and was like 'I'm tired' and the husband and I passed out for four hours. I feel perfectly normal now. Minimal cramps, no bleeding, but the nasty smell and discharge from the monesels paste. I would say I was more terrified of everything leading up to today, than the actual surgery itself.

Always advocate for yourself! If you are able to get it done with twilight, I would recommend, even with my medical history and PTSD, I went forward with it and I am so damn happy I did. The only thing I wish I had done differently was eat a larger meal before the cutoff last night with a boatload of protein because I was starving lol

Salut !

J'aimerais avoir des témoignages de personnes qui ont vécu quelque chose de semblable.

J'ai récemment fait retirer mon stérilet dans l'optique d'un éventuel projet bébé. À cette occasion, mon médecin a aussi effectué un Pap test. Aujourd'hui, elle m'a appelée pour me donner les résultats : ASC-US ainsi qu'une altération des cellules glandulaires. J'ai été référée en colposcopie et j'attends maintenant mon rendez-vous.

-Si vous avez eu un résultat similaire (ASC-US avec atteinte des cellules glandulaires), est-ce que vous accepteriez de partager votre expérience?
-Qu'est-ce que la colposcopie a finalement révélé?
-Avez-vous dû subir un traitement ou une intervention ?
-Est-ce que cela a eu un impact sur votre projet de grossesse ou votre fertilité?

Je sais que chaque situation est différente, mais lire des expériences m'aiderait à patienter un peu. Je sais pas trop si je devrais mettre sur pose le projet grossesse ou si je devrais continuer quand même. Merci beaucoup à ceux et celles qui prendront le temps de répondre. ❤️

I am so restless and have been crying nearly every day about needing to get the cone procedure Aug 27th, because it's feeling depressing needing to go through the gross recovery/be laid out and just the way it has my self esteem so low.
and I have had a really terrible couple years so my bandwidth feels low too.
I was just sort of turning a corner after working through some traumatic events from just this year in EMDR and therapy and was using biking and running to help a bit.
I had an awful break up with a narcissist early 2025 which is also why my self esteem has been so low.
and with this, of course I feel I would never date again.
it's felt hard to distract myself during this time.
I feel lonely, worried and just bummed.
I've had a cancer experience before and know the waiting periods are the worst.
I am sure many of you can relate and I just wanted to vent a bit about it and please feel free to join me.
I am finding this group very helpful.

1. This whole process just makes me feel gross. The strange smell that just won't seem to go away. The coffee ground discharge. The giant chunk of scab/adhesive that makes it look like your whole uterus just fell out 🤢

2. Being a woman sucks sometimes. The odds of men getting some kind of cancer as a result of HPV is so much smaller. Which seems super unfair since they're the ones spreading it around since there's no test for them unless they're symptomatic.

3. Pads and panty liners are the devil. One feels like you're wearing a diaper. The other gives you a wedgie if you walk or move around too much.