Advice needed: Post-Colposcopy Questions? - Women's Health Message Board

asunrun · 05-20-2005, 09:11 AM

I am scheduled to have a colposcopy with biopsy done in a couple of weeks. I'm not nervous for the procedure, I'm just confused about what happens afterwards and what I can/can't do after the test is complete. I know I need time to heal, but I don't want to stop all my summer and everyday plans because of this.

{removed-Please post birth control questions on the proper board}

Second, I had planned a scuba diving trip for the weekend right after this test before I even knew I had to have the procedure done. Obviously I won't be able to go then, but how long will I have to wait? Does this mean I enjoy my summer and go swimming at the beach/pool for a month?

Finally, I've heard mix things on how long one has to wait to have sex after the procedure is done. I've heard one week, two weeks, and I even heard they told someone four weeks. I can handle one or two weeks, but four weeks of this.

I know it is important to have this done, and I don't mean to sound like a whiner or complainer, but I don't want my normal life to have to come to a grinding halt because of this, especially in the summer months.

Any advice/experience/stories would help me out a lot!

Thanks!!

ladivapr02 · 05-20-2005, 06:58 PM

When I had my colposcopy the doctor did not had to do any biopsies so nothing changed after the colposcopy. What was your result, mild, moderate or severe dysplasia? If your diagnosis was only mild dysplasia biopsies not need to be done if the doctor doesn't find anything suspicious. If your diagnosis was moderate or severe then yes biopsies are granted and for that yes you probably will need a few days to heal. I don't think you need a month. A months is if you have a more invasive procedure like a leep. I don't think that even with the freezing you need a month to recover so at this point just relax.

Colposcopy is just a breeze. The doctor will only look at your cervix closer with a colposcope. Doctor will just put like a vinegar solution first then put another solution to see if there is any color changes and that way they know the abnormal areas. It's not painful in any form. If biopsy is performed (if and only the doctor finds an area suspicious he/she will pinch to take a sample. I don't think it could hurt bad at all. So considering there is just a pinch one can heal pretty quick of that. No way a month.
You will do fine. Good luck at the colpo.

asunrun · 05-20-2005, 08:16 PM

Thanks so much for your advice. The pap came up as ASCUS, so I believe it's safe to say it was mild. She told me not to worry about a thing. They kept mentioning the biopsy as part of the procedure, so I'm assuming that they tell you this just so you know it could potentially occur.

ladivapr02 · 05-20-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asunrun

Thanks so much for your advice. The pap came up as ASCUS, so I believe it's safe to say it was mild. She told me not to worry about a thing. They kept mentioning the biopsy as part of the procedure, so I'm assuming that they tell you this just so you know it could potentially occur.

Yeah that's true. The biopsy word is what brings anxiety to women going in for a colposcopy. Yeah if its only ASCUS that's like very mild, nothing to worry about. YOu will just need to have a pap done six months from now. Advice take a B complex supplement (folic acid improves dysplasia specially if you are on the Pill)