Hi Laura. 

I keep seeing replies from you on many posts. It's very reassuring.

I am 26, I have two children 9 and 5. My periods have always been weird due to being on the implant. But I think in December it lasted a few days longer than normal. Fast forward to this month, I had my period as normal. It lasted around 10 days which is normal, then 4 days later I started bleeding again and bled for a week. Classed as spotting as it was never enough to wear a pad or anything. I phone my GP, explained everything and she didn't seem too worried. She booked me in for my first smear (haven't had one due to Covid) and also said she'd take some swabs 'to be on the safe side' (don't know what they're for?) 

Since speaking to her I've noticed I have lower back pain in a morning which eases off throughout the day. I have groin pain pretty much constantly, it's just a dull ache and I also noticed I had stomach cramps the day after having sex. Te cramps were pretty painful. They eased off in the evening. 

I don't have any smelly discharge, no bleeding during or after sex, no bloating, I'm not off my food and I don't think I've noticed any changes in bowel movement either.. 

Just looking for some reassurance really. My smear is booked for 10th March but I'm ringing to ask if they can bring it forward. I'm due on on the 10th march and all this worry is really affecting me. 

Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until now! I hope you are doing well and you've found out what is going on. At your young age I wouldn't think your issues would be cancer related but it is always good to follow up and keep tabs on things.  Please message me if you need to. 

Laura xx

Hi hope you don't mind me writing to you so I am 36 and I have been referred to gynae to say getting seen tuesday, as I have an inflamed cervix bleeding in between periods, and sometimes after sex and really itchy down below. Go has already ruled out everything they can std tests etc, I am worried sick I googled about cervical cancer and read if you have symptoms it's usually advanced 

Hi Pink,

I had symptoms and I was at Stage 2A, which was still treatable. I had actually been having symptoms for a couple of years before I finally got the courage to get checked out. You sound like you're doing the right things and following up-that's so important. I wouldn't worry too much and stay off google! The stuff you read there doesn't apply to everyone's situation so you can't use it to try to compare. There is so many other female problems it could be, and even if it is something, it is so much better to find out and get it taken care of! Let me know what you find out.

Laura xx

Ok thank you I am a nurse and finding it hard not to do research I am worried it's spread into my vagina with have the soreness and itchiness, I have a 3 and 5 year old and I am petrified for them, my gut is telling me it's not good news what symptoms did you have 

Hi Pinklady

Sorry to butt in, but it’s not true to say that cervical cancer is usually advanced by the time there are symptoms. Dr Google is not a good place to look for self diagnosis! Itchiness is not a symptom of cervical cancer that I’ve heard of-I’ve had cervical cancer and regularly speak to many ladies in other groups who have had this cancer. Not once have I heard itchiness mentioned as a symptom that anyone had. This is much more likely to have another explanation. It’s good you’ve got a gynaecology appointment so hopefully you’ll find out more then.

Hi I have read that itchiness is but very rare so with my symptoms I am worried that it's advanced I had abnormal cells when I was 20 and had a loop excision I am now 36 so with symptoms is it still treatable, the go said my cervix was very inflamed 

Hi I have read that itchiness is but very rare so with my symptoms I am worried that it's advanced I had abnormal cells when I was 20 and had a loop excision I am now 36 so with symptoms is it still treatable, the go said my cervix was very inflamed 

I’ve had cervical cancer twice and undergone a lot of treatment. I’m in groups where I hear from so many people who have this cancer, but seriously in the last 3 years of dealing with this I’ve  never seen itchiness as a symptom. My cancer when diagnosed was “locally advanced” which means it had spread beyond the cervix, and into the vagina, but was still treatable with chemo and radiotherapy. Even when it came back it was STILL treatable. An inflamed cervix doesn’t mean cancer by any means... you definitely need to see the gynae to get a proper examination first before you can know what’s going on. 

Ok thanks so much it's hard as you will know the waiting 

Hi Pink,

I agree with what Minska shared. I had not gone to a doctor in about 10 or so years when my symptoms finally drove me to do it. I had a watery, smelly, bloody discharge (no itching). My periods were very sporadic and when I did have them, they were very heavy. I was extremely tired and lost a lot of weight because I couldn't eat (felt too full to eat).  Of course I don't advocate waiting like I did (that was really stupid on my part), but even with such a long time, my cancer was treatable.  Keep us posted on you how you are doing.

Laura xx

Did u have a virginal ultersound love 

Hi Amanda

Vaginal ultrasounds are not used to diagnose cervical cancer, so I’ve never had one. Have you got any concerns or are you having an ultrasound for some reason? 

Hi I just come across your post and thought firstly I'd say I hope you're ok and thank you for sharing your experiences and secondly to ask you opinion on my own symptoms please?

I haven't had a smear for 7 years due to carious reasons my periods and bleeding have been very strange since 2020 but I put it down to having my youngest son in 2019, I have 5 children.

I bleed at random whenever my body feels like it sometimes once a month sometimes twice but I went for a snear because sex is painful during and after and I bleed every time after sex, I also get pain in lower back and lower pelvis the pain in my back almost is a mirror image of the pain in pelvis if that makes sense the nurse did swabs as well and they've come back clear another nurse today looked at my cervix abs has done an urgent two referral due to my cervix being inflamed and having spots, she said they could be cysts but an urgent referral is needed she said it's not black so she wasn't taken aback but it needs further investigation what do you make of this and does it replicate anything you went through please x

Hi Shiv087

I’m not a medical professional, so I don’t feel it would be appropriate to give an opinion on your symptoms-I’m just a cancer patient. Our circumstances are also very different in that I was post menopausal when I received my cancer diagnosis, so in a very different scenario to you. In that respect, I didn’t have similar symptoms, but in any case it can be less than helpful to compare symptoms with others, as we are all so different, and not every cervical issue or bleeding indicates cancer.

The nurse has made the 2 week referral, so you will be seen by a gynaecologist who will be able to examine you and decide if further investigations are necessary. I know it’s hard to wait for this, and it’s tempting to consult google and look for similar experiences, but it’s not actually helpful in my opinion to try and diagnose yourself with something on this basis. 

I hope you get your appointment through quickly and can be reassured. x

Hi, hope you don't mind me messaging you. But you seem to be very well informed when it comes to cervical cancer. 
I had treatment in January this year for cinn3  (loop). All good with biopsies taken and clear margins.  I thought that was the end to it. But over the last three months symptoms having come back again.  I seem to be bleeding most of the month, my periods are coming every two weeks and my last one was abnormally heavy.  I had a smear test last Sunday as I've to have them every six months. Nurse said my cervix looks ok but I bled on contact. I am a little worried as I have all the symptoms along with a new one. Im suffering with a lot of watery discharge. Do you think maybe it's just the cinn3 returning? 
my Pap test up and till my diagnosis for cinn3 have always been good. So im abit nervous how quickly it can go from normal to cinn3. 
thanks hayley xx

Hi Haylz

I'm afraid I can't answer your question as I went straight to a cancer diagnosis rather than CIN.

If you're having symptoms you're worried about, I'd make an appointment with your gp to be checked and referred to a gynaecologist if it's felt necessary. 
 

I hope it works out ok for you.xx

Hi Minska, 

thanks for your reply. Yes I'm definitely a little worried, I will wait for the results of the smear test and go from there. I am 44yrs old so thinking it could just be the start of menopause! 
I was told after cin3 treatment there was only a 1O% chance of it reoccurring I have definitely got some weird symptoms again and had enough of constantly bleeding  

hope your still well and enjoying life! 
thanks hayley xx