New to HPV- Colposcopy help - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

mykayco7 · 06-18-2008, 10:19 PM

I found out about 2 weeks ago that i have HPV- low and high risk. I am scheduled for a colposcopy at the end of the month. I would like to know what i should expect that day and the following days, will I be sore, what do they actually do? My boyfriend and I have been together almost a year, im guessing he has it as well. If i have the colposcopy will I get it again becuase I am with the same partner. I feel that this might be a pointless procedure?

Help please,
Thank You

newpatient485 · 06-19-2008, 08:57 AM

The colposcopy is definitely not unnecessary, and you won't get the same strain of HPV "again." You could get a different strain if your boyfriend has more than the two you already know you have, but the ones you already have is in your body for life, though it will probably be suppressed by your immune system.

The colposcopy is not that different from a normal exam but a little longer. The doctor will put in the speculum and look at your cervix up close with a colposcope, which is a microscope that sort of looks like a set of binoculars. She will put a vinegar solution on your cervix to see it more clearly, which is mildly stingy, and she may or may not take samples for biopsy, which feels like a little pinch. If she does take a biopsy, she will also put something on the cervix to make it scab quickly.

Afterward, I felt sort of "icky" that day and had discharges of varying grossness for about 5. You also can't use tampons or have sex for a week or so.

Overall, it's not comfortable, but not terrible either, and very necessary so you can know exactly what those abnormal cells are doing and if they need to be removed. If gone unchecked, they could develop into cervical cancer, but with regular testing it can usually be avoided.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

jenuine86 · 06-19-2008, 09:22 AM

you can take a pain releiver (Aleve is what I took) about half an hour before the procedure to help with the cramping..
The coloscopy itself is not all that bad, but if the doc takes biopsys, you will feel period-like cramps. I felt down for about a week after mine (which was last week btw) and verrry icky.. the doc said "coffee ground" stuff would be leaking out because of the paste they stick up there to help the cuts heal, but I just got peanut butter like clumps.. I bled for 3 days just 2 days afer the procedure and had small cramps here and there.. it's not so bad really.. it just feels gross and crappy.. it's just much like being on a really odd period.
I have been with my boyfrend for almost 6 months and we can still have sex.. you won't catch anything new from him unless he's caught something new from someone else. Your HPV can cause the same problems it is now later in your future if you immune system gets really low, but other than that you should be fine so long as you are keeping healthy. HPV is with you for life, it's just not always active.