Hello there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear you have been having some abnormal bleeding. I'm afraid it is difficult to be able to comment about what the GP or the first gynaecologist could or couldn't see when they examined you, but I am sure if they had seen an ectropian they would have said.

It is however good to hear that another gynaecologist did pick up on this problem and has treated the area.

There is no need for colposcopy if your cervical screening was negative and no other abnormalities were seen in the cervix as it would have been closely inspected by the gynaecologist during the silver nitrate treatment.

If you continue to have symptoms that are concerning then do go back and talk them through with your GP.

Best wishes

Naomi

Hi Naomi,

Thank you for your reply!

I am just wondering can the gynaecologist know if it is ectropion or other abnormalities just checking by human eye? As I am aware cervix with ectropion looks similar with cervical cancer/abnormal cells, so when they will need colposcopy to confirm the diagnosis?

Thank you!

Hello again

I can understand you are worried but gynaecologist's are highly trained and experienced at assessing the cervix and can diagnose an ectropion with the naked eye.

An ectropion as I am sure you know is when cells from inside the vaginal canal travel to the outside of the cervix and can cause bleeding. They often appear red with a smooth and grazed like appearance.

You can read more about them here.

The important thing is you also had cervical screening carried out.  This is all about preventing cervical cancer by picking up abnormality at an early stage where it can be monitored or treated until everything returns to normal.

Cervical screening samples are checked for high risk strains of HPV that are responsible for the majority of abnormal cell changes to occur in the cervix. If this is negative then it is highly unlikely anything suspicious is going on and people are returned to routine screening.

In between screenings if people experience any new symptoms they are advised to see their GP to be assessed and where more tests can be arranged. If you remain concerned or the bleeding continues, do go back and discuss this with your GP, who hopefully can reassure you or refer you back to the hospital.

Take care

Naomi

Thank you!