STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ratherbshopping · BCBG

Female Problems - Coning Procedure

member · Hermes

I didn't have the laser, but a few years ago, I had abnormal cells on my cervix and my gyno used a wire-loop tool to remove the cells and test them. It was quick, outpatient procedure in the hospital, but I remember being just as scared as you. My doc actually told me that since it was such a small piece of my cervix, it wouldn't affect my chances of having a child..but maybe that was just me. I didn't want to develop any sort of problems like cervical cancer, so I had the procedure to be safe. I've gone for my yearly exam every year since then and I've been totally fine. After talking to friends and female co-workers, I've come to find out that it's actually a pretty common thing among women.

If you're uneasy, maybe talk to another doc or do some research on other ways to remove the cells rather than the laser (like what I had done). If you have any ?'s, feel free to pm me. HTH!

Elle · Hermes

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! How stressful!

Anyway, I've not personally had it done, but know of quite a few who have. How invasively they feel they need to go is what will greatly affect your chances for achieving/sustaining a pregnancy later on. If they feel they need to remove a good portion of your cervix, that's what can add to preterm labor risks because the cervix could end up not being strong enough to support the weight of a growing baby and uterus. However, since you're only in abnormal cell territory, the chances of such severe complications (and the need for extensive removal) is unlikely. And even so, when you do find yourself pregnant, you'll be able to discuss the pros and cons of having a cerclage (a small stitch in your cervix, done at around 14-ish weeks usually) if they deem you more 'at risk'.

The risk to conception involves scarring - any cutting comes with a risk of scarring, and technically if you develop scarring some could block the opening in your cervix, thereby preventing sperm from meeting egg. However, there are treatments for that as well, and treatments to fall back on should the original treatment method fail.

Alllllll that said, may I ask why your doctor is suggesting this? Did you have an abnormal Pap? If so, have you had another to confirm the presence of abnormal cells? I think getting a second opinion is the absolute best thing you can do - every doctor has their own opinions and preferances with regards to options, old-school procedures, new technology and treatments, aggresiveness, etc. They may not always jive with what you're comfortable with, and what you're comfortable with matters because it's your body! Unfortunately sometimes doctors filter all your options through their own preferances first, and you end up not knowing all your choices. IMO you should always have a choice in your treatment, and your doctor is there to work WITH you. Take care!

-- Edited by Elle at 14:58, 2007-02-02

ratherbshopping · BCBG

Elle wrote:

Alllllll that said, may I ask why your doctor is suggesting this? Did you have an abnormal Pap? If so, have you had another to confirm the presence of abnormal cells? I think getting a second opinion is the absolute best thing you can do - every doctor has their own opinions and preferances with regards to options, old-school procedures, new technology and treatments, aggresiveness, etc. They may not always jive with what you're comfortable with, and what you're comfortable with matters because it's your body! Unfortunately sometimes doctors filter all your options through their own preferances first, and you end up not knowing all your choices. IMO you should always have a choice in your treatment, and your doctor is there to work WITH you. Take care!

-- Edited by Elle at 14:58, 2007-02-02

I have had low grade displaxia (spelling) on one area which has since cleared up, but the cells he recently scraped closer to the cervix canal (right word?) came back as undeterminable which means he doesn't know if they're high or low grade. He wants to do this procedure so that he can scrape the inside of my cervix canal for a biopsy. What makes this even more scarier for me is that I have never had surgery or been put under.

bex · Chanel

i had the same procedure as shopchicago. i had my yearly and it came back as abnormal. we did another pap and it, too, came back abnormal and she also took some other cells to test that came back as pre-cancerous.

i decided to have the wire-loop thing done to remove the cells. my doc also mentioned that sometimes there is issues with getting pregnant but more so with patients with a lot more abnormal cells. i just had a small amount- so she thought i was good. i'm not really into having my own kids anyway- so i didn't really care about it. but i would definitely question her if you want to have children someday. its important to know about and understand fully.

that being said, i had it done and found it really invasive. i absoluted hated every second of it. i cried and cried and cried on the operating table. i don't handle things like this very well though. also, (sorry if this is TMI) but sex since then has been HORRIBLE. i have talked with my doc repeatedly about it and she seems to not have any advice for me.

anyway, thats my story. make sure you're totally comfortable with the procedure. i didn't ask a lot of questions. i just went with what my doctor told me at the time and looking back, i wish i would have asked more questions.

hth and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Elle · Hermes

Hmmmm, that's the only option he gave you? I'd definitely hold off on making any decisions until you get a second opinion - at least then if you get the same option from the second doctor, it might put your mind at ease a bit? And if you can do it without getting too worked up (Dr. Google is not the most discerning), I'd research the shit out of the condition and possible treatments. That way you know what questions to ask about the more clinical aspects.

I guess it just seems like an invasive thing to do just for diagnostic purposes. I'd find out if the doctor is going to operate as it the cells in your cervical canal were abnormal and remove as he would if that were true. If not and they're just testing them, but they do turn out abnormal, I'd think that'd mean you'd have to go in again .... um, not so much fun!

Being put under isn't so bad. I mean, nobody likes needles, but it's just the one. I'd make sure to be very well hydrated before the no-eating-or-drinking cutoff though - plump veins are easier to find. And afterwards it'd likely be kind of period-ish (crampy, sore, spotting). But (small favors) it would be period-ish + Vicodin!

Crossposted with Bex, who makes a great case for choosing to be put completely under - and don't let anyone tell you that it's not an option if you want it!

-- Edited by Elle at 16:26, 2007-02-02

blubirde · Chanel

I find it odd that when your pap came back inconclusive, he wants to remove cells to test again. Why not do another pap instead? I'd definitely suggest a 2nd opinion. Maybe from a woman doctor? (Not sure how you feel about that but I feel more secure with a woman gyno, who understand personally my issues, than a male gyno, just imo.)

killa · Dooney & Bourke

Breathe. Breathe.

It's Ok.

I had the procedure, too. Mine was about five years ago. And everyone is right -- it's very common. It is not fun (when is having your feet in stirrups fun??) ... but you'll be fine.

I never had problems with paps or intimacy or anything afterward.

You can PM me, but I suggest talking to your dr. and asking lots of questions. The doc knows more than any of us!

ratherbshopping · BCBG

Thanks so much for everyone's help and suggestions. I've made an appt. with a female doctor to see what, if any, my other options are. When I spoke with my current male doctor he was very unsypathetic and it almost seemed like he was trying to talk me out of the surgery which is odd since he is the one recommending it. Thanks again for helping put my mind at ease and letting me know that I'm not alone!

ratherbshopping · BCBG

blubirde wrote:

I find it odd that when your pap came back inconclusive, he wants to remove cells to test again. Why not do another pap instead? I'd definitely suggest a 2nd opinion. Maybe from a woman doctor? (Not sure how you feel about that but I feel more secure with a woman gyno, who understand personally my issues, than a male gyno, just imo.)

Those are my thought exactly. I find it very strange that he wouldn't just want to do another colposcopy before resorting to surgery. Definitely going to a female doctor for a second opinion. Thanks!