Hi everyone 

I just thought I'd share my experience of my colposcopy today. I've been reading a lot of these posts and I'll be honest I had worked myself up into a bit of a state about it this morning!  
 

I arrived and when signing in for my appointment was asked to do a urine sample. Not really sure what they'll do with that but wasn't expecting it, and it threw me off a bit! but then I noticed everyone seemed to be doing one so think it's maybe just procedure in some hospitals.

At the start of the appointment I spoke to the consultant and there was a nurse in the room. They took a history as you'd expect and then explained they use the colposcopy to look at my cervix closely to see if there had been any changes.  I was told that often with low grade changes it's actually the HPV that gives this result (as in on the smear swab it doesn't look normal because of the infection) but with a closer look there aren't actually any changes. I was advised if this was the case it would be back to routine smear after 3 years.  
 

The procedure itself was fine - no different to a smear really. If anything a little better because they lower the chair and you're in stirrups.  It does take a little longer than a smear and I guess you feel a tiny bit more pressure but it's not painful.  You do get the option to watch on the screen if you wish - I had a quick look bht that I as enough for me!

They did say at the start that if there were changes I was advised they may wait and repeat a smear bht would discuss once they knew the outcome.

Luckily, everything was normal and I'm back to regular 3 year smears. 

It's hard not to panic but from one panicker to another I hope this is reassuring.  I've discussed this before with friends (some who have had cells removed and they've all said it was uncomfortable but fine) and if it happens again even if it was a high grade change I don't think I'd have quite the same level of panic.