Your colposcopy procedure – Cautery to the cervix

Cautery to the Cervix – Your colposcopy procedure

Your colposcopy procedure – Cautery to the cervix

The procedure that you have had today is cauterisation of the cervix. During the procedure we used a small, heated probe to burn the affected area of your cervix.

What are the benefits of having this procedure?

This procedure reduces the symptoms of a cervical ectopy, for example bleeding or discharge (if your most recent cervical screening test was normal). A cervical ectopy is where the cervical skin is thin, and blood vessels are close to the surface. This sometimes causes bleeding or discharge. This is not cancer.

What should I normally expect after the procedure?

• You may feel discomfort like period pain for the next few hours after the procedure. You should take
  your normal painkillers to ease this pain, but do not take more than the recommended dose.
• Usually, you will have discharge with a little blood in it (or a watery discharge) from your vagina for
  two to four weeks after you have the procedure. Do not worry if you do not have any discharge or if
  the discharge continues slightly longer than four weeks, as everyone’s cervix heals differently.
• Do not use tampons for at least four weeks after the procedure, or until the discharge stops. Instead,
  use pads or panty liners.
• You can have a bath or shower as normal.
• Your periods may be different straight after treatment but should soon settle into their usual pattern

Are there any risks to this procedure?

• Complications are very rare, but you may get an infection in the area we treated. If this happens, you
  may need to take antibiotics.

Symptoms of an infection

High temperature or strong-smelling discharge

Pain. You should take your normal painkillers to ease this pain, but do not take more than the
recommend dose.

If you develop an infection, this may happen immediately after the treatment or any time within the next 14 days. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is very important that you contact your family doctor or the colposcopy clinic for advice, as you may need another examination or antibiotics.

Returning to normal activities

• You should be able to return to work and normal activities the day after you have your procedure.
• You should avoid intensive exercise or lifting anything heavy for a day or so after the procedure. We
  recommend that you do not have sex or go swimming until the discharge stops, to allow the area to
  heal.

We will be writing to your GP to tell them that you have had this procedure.

If you have any questions about when your next cervical screening test is due, please ask a member of staff or phone the clinic and we will be pleased to help you.

Contact details
If you have any specific concerns that you feel have not been answered and need explaining, you can contact the nurse colposcopists on the following numbers.

• The Alexandra Hospital (phone 01527 505739)
• Kidderminster Treatment Centre (phone 01527 505762)
• Worcestershire Royal Hospital (phone 01527 512003)

For out of hours or emergencies please contact

• The Emergency Gynae Assessment Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital (24 hours a day, 365 days
  a year) on 01905 761489

Other information
The following internet websites contain information that you may find useful.

• www.worcsacute.nhs.uk
  Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
• www.patient.co.uk
  Information fact sheets on health and disease

• www.rcoa.ac.uk
  Information leaflets by the Royal College of Anaesthetists about ‘Having an anaesthetic’

• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
  On-line health encyclopaedia

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything,
please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you
and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a
member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to
answer your questions and reassure you.

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well
and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your
experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are
available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We
value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with
us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the
nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed
to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is
unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal
help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf,
if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to
outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate
your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can
advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please
be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your
call within one working day

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.

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