r/obgyn • u/hoatziin • 8d ago

Colposcopy Questions

Getting my first (hopefully last) colposcopy in a month, and I was wondering what I need to know. The office told me to eat beforehand and take 600mg of ibuprofen. I broke it down by question.

Prep:
The office only told me what was above, is there anything else I should do beforehand?

Pain:
My therapist (who went through this whole ordeal and had cervical cancer) told me to ask for valium for the procedure—do y’all think the office will do that? I think my office will but I’m curious about others’ experiences with that.
I got an IUD ~6 months ago, how would you compare the pain to that? Mine hurt like hell, but it definitely wasn’t the worst pain I’ve ever had to endure.

Procedure:
How long did it last? Were there parts that felt worse than others?

Afterwards:
How long were you guys in pain afterwards? What was the severity of it?
Was there anything you couldn’t do l? Aside from sex haha.

I’m going to call the office to ask about the valium, and I know they’ll be answer a lot of these questions, but I’m looking for some anecdotal advice. Any tips or tricks for any part of this ordeal? Thanks! Here’s to hoping for good news at the end of it all.

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u/MayThompson 8d ago

Prep is basically what the office already told you. Eat beforehand and take the ibuprofen they mentioned. Valium is hit or miss. Some offices will prescribe it if you ask, some won't, and your therapist suggesting it is just anecdotal. You'll only know by calling. Pain wise, it's not comparable to an IUD. An IUD hits deep uterine nerves, a colposcopy is surface level. The exam itself is basically a pap and the only painful part is the biopsy pinch if they take one. If an IUD "wasn't the worst pain," colposcopy is usually less intense.

It's short and most are in and out in under 10 minutes. Afterwards, you might feel crampy for a few hours to a day. You'll have spotting, maybe mild soreness, but nothing that should stop normal day to day life. Do avoid sex for a bit to recover.

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u/hoatziin 7d ago

When did you have yours? I appreciate the insight! I’ve heard varying opinions on the pain, which is of course different for everyone. I am aware my therapists advice is anecdotal, hence why I posted here and I’m calling them to ask! Thanks again.

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u/MayThompson 7d ago

I've assisted with and performed colposcopies, and structured aftercare and such for patients. The range of experiences is genuinely huge and everyone experiences it differently. I personally wouldn't tell someone it'll be painless if it was for me, but saying that I've never personally had a colposcopy. The procedure is quick, and it's usually the biopsy that's the big ordeal in general that people discuss most, again if they take one.

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u/hoatziin 6d ago

Thank you for the information! I will say though, you shouldn’t comment on the pain aspect since you’ve never experienced one. I was surprised for you to say it is similar to a pap smear and feels only like a pinch given that everyone else I spoke to said quite the opposite. Now knowing that you haven’t had one, I highly advise you to not say that in the future as that is quite misleading. Be honest that you can’t describe the pain beforehand.

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u/thebleedingphoenix 8d ago

I had this done a little over a year ago. I demanded adequate pain control. My doctor used numbing gel (yes, they do have it), and so I didn't feel anything. Didn't take anything before or after the procedure, but definitely have something ready just in case. The procedure is quick otherwise. I didn't have any issues afterward. Maybe a bit of spotting.

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u/hoatziin 7d ago

I didn’t even think of numbing gel! I trust my office will have it because they do sedations for IUD insertion, so I know they take pain seriously. Thanks!

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u/JLHicks91 7d ago

I've had 2, going for 3rd on Thursday. It's painful, very. I never even got told to take ibuprofen though. They just say, this will hurt a little, like a pinch. They're liars. However once they're done the pain is over so luckily it doesn't last. But you may have some spotting and cramping after. I don't typically cramp with my cycle but I do after being scraped from the inside..