Jess, female, 27, New York
My Experience
- Overall Rating
- 4.5
- average of all patients
- Pain
- Inconvenience
I had a colposcopy after having an abnormal Pap smear. During the procedure the doctor also biopsied my cervix.
There was no physical or mental preparation, though I wish I had had a better understanding of the procedure before I went in for it. I didn’t realize how much discomfort there would be and what the side affects were.
The procedure was sort of like a normal Pap smear, but a larger speculum was used and I had to remain in the knees-splayed position for several minutes. My doctor also had to do a biopsy of my cervix, which required her to snip out a little sample (which I felt her do — internally — and was as uncomfortable as you can imagine). It was all over in a few minutes but it seemed much longer. The only positive part of the experience was that my doctor was very reassuring and patient.
After the procedure I had cramps for the rest of the day, and I totally lost my appetite; I remember having to put my head down at my desk at work. I couldn’t exercise for a couple of days afterward. Recovery was swift; I felt fine after a few days.
My Advice
Schedule it at the end of the day and go home to rest afterward (instead of returning to work). Because it is likely that you will have a biopsy as part of the procedure, consider scheduling the procedure during a week where you have limited physical activities planned — heavy lifting, running a race, etc. — because you’re supposed to take it easy for a few days afterwards. Get as much information as possible from your doctor beforehand, and write down what you consider most important: Thinking back, I’m sure mine told me what to expect, but I must not have been paying attention.
- posted by HealthAngle January 22, 2009
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