Women's Health Issues: LadyGardening for Dummies

Caranica · 16-05-2019 9:30pm

Sorry to hear about your experience. I had abnormal cells a few years ago and it went, repeat ASAP after receiving the letter. Smear 3 months later, then 6 months then 12 months x 2 and then the one I had late October was 3 years later. I should point out that only the first test showed abnormalities. Also I got the results from the October one at the start of January so only took 10 weeks.

Maybe there's something my doctor isn't telling me but compared to your story it sounds like two completely different programmes!

NeonCookies · 16-05-2019 10:36pm

Caranica wrote:

Maybe there's something my doctor isn't telling me but compared to your story it sounds like two completely different programmes!

It is so strange! Had my first smear in 2014, told to repeat in a year so had one in 2015. Then most recently end of 2018. So back on 3 year cycle despite all having abnormalities? I think it's because I'm HPV negative (doctor said if I was positive I'd have been referred for colposcopy in 2015 and now) but even still at this point it's clear the abnormalities haven't resolved on their own so surely worth investigation? I'm going to get the private smear and depending on the results of that I'll be contacting the screening programme, TDs etc if necessary. I don't have trust in it at all anymore.

jordata · 17-05-2019 11:45am

Lashes28 wrote: »

How long did you wait for your coloscopy appointment?? I got a call three weeks ago from my gp that I needed to get one done from the results of my smear and I haven't hear anything since.

As I understand it, if you have low grade changes you will be seen within 8 weeks. If you have high grade changes they will see you in 4 weeks. I had the appointment on Wednesday of this week. It was in Wexford General. They team there were absolutely fantastic, very reassuring. They took a biopsy so now I have a 6 week wait for those results. I am hoping I well then get the all clear. By then I will have been 36 weeks since the original smear back in October.

SaltSweatSugar · 20-06-2019 6:28pm

Had my smear done at the start of December last year and just got the letter today saying all is ok. I’m glad (obviously) but it’s ridiculous that it took 6 months.

Lashes28 · 15-07-2019 9:23pm

Just got letter in the door that I've cin3 abnormalities and to go back in the first week of August for treatment. Anybody been through it? How painful is it? What will they actually do?

Morby · 18-07-2019 5:23pm

So I've gotten back my smear results, about 5 months later, and thank god no abnormalities, everything was fine.

However I've been told I have HPV.

My doctor rang me to tell me and she mentioned something about clearing it up, but I thought you couldn't clear HPV, once you have it that's it, for life, like herpes?

I'm not looking for any medical advice on here, I know that's not the remit of boards, and I'll be seeing my GP in a few weeks anyhow, but I just wanted to hear from other ladies who have HPV and what their experiences were like?

Is there any course of treatment? I didn't think there was now but confused since the GP mentioned "clearing it"

Any info or advice at all would be appreciated as I've gotten a bit of a shock hearing this and I'm still waiting on a gynae and colposcopy appointments for irregular mid cycle bleeding I get every month.

Thanks all.

jordata · 19-07-2019 5:34pm

Morby congrats on the all clear. I got my results in May - low grade changes and HPV positive. Had to go for a colposcopy and biopsy. In the colposcopy clinic they told me to boost my immunity to fight off the HPV virus - recommended green tea. Don't know if that might help you - I have to go for LLETZ end of the month to remove the abnormal cells but nothing else has been said regarding the HPV.

Morby · 19-07-2019 6:23pm

jordata wrote: »

Morby congrats on the all clear. I got my results in May - low grade changes and HPV positive. Had to go for a colposcopy

Hi there Jordata,

Thank you so much for taking the time out to respond and for sharing your experience, it's greatly appreciated

Thanks for the tip regarding green tea, I'll look into that for sure.

Best of luck with your LLETZ procedure at the end of the month, I hope it all goes well for you and you get the all clear

Lashes28 · 03-08-2019 9:38pm

Lashes28 wrote: »

Just got letter in the door that I've cin3 abnormalities and to go back in the first week of August for treatment. Anybody been through it? How painful is it? What will they actually do?

Anyone?

jordata · 05-08-2019 10:51am

Lashes28 wrote: »

Anyone?

Hi Lashes. Sorry you got that result. My result showed CIN1 so I don't know if the treatment is the same for CIN3. My results included a leaflet on the LLETZ treatment. This can be carried out with a local anesthetic. The offending cells can be removed by laser or frozen. The doctors I spoke to were lovely and could tell how anxious I am so I am going back to have the treatment under general anesthetic in September. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

Stheno · 05-08-2019 8:20pm

Has anyone here had a Mirena that moved out of where it should be?

RacoonQueen · 05-08-2019 8:56pm

SaltSweatSugar wrote: »

Had my smear done at the start of December last year and just got the letter today saying all is ok. I’m glad (obviously) but it’s ridiculous that it took 6 months.

That's mad that mine came significantly quicker than yours. Perhaps medical history comes into it and mine was prioritised.

Thought it was odd mine came so quick as there was so much talk on here and radio about it at the time re: how long it was taking.

dmcguq10 · 10-08-2019 9:25pm

Got a period on 28th July so began taking ovreena pill same day. After 9 days I began to feel shortness of breath & was spotting,I was instructed by GP to stop taking pill (Tuesday gone) I am now bleeding ( don’t think it’s a period)

Is this normal as I shouldn’t be due period for another few weeks?

Addle · 10-08-2019 9:36pm

I can’t comment on what’s normal, but I think a break through bleed is to be expected when you stop taking/take a break from the pill.

GingerNut93 · 13-08-2019 10:18pm

Hi guys. Recently got smear test results that took 10 MONTHS to be sent to my GP!

It came back as CIN3 and HPV present. I’m waiting to hear back about an appointment with colposcopy. Anyone been in the situation? Obviously very anxious as it was my first smear at 25 and have never experienced anything like this before.

I was wondering of the likelihood of LLETZ procedure happening, is it highly possible? My GP wasn’t great and kept apologising and making me more anxious!

Any information from anyone who has experienced this would be hugely appreciated as I’m quite concerned.

Thanks guys

LegacyUser · 19-08-2019 5:41pm

Hi all, not looking for medical advice, just experiences others have had.
Has anyone ever had bleeding occur during a smear test but still get a normal result?
I ask because I had a smear test 1 year ago which came back abnormal, with low grade changes & HPV positive. I bled during that smear test.
Subsequently had a colposcopy which looked normal so I didnt get any treatment.
1 year later, I just had another smear test. However, once again I bled during this. Like it actually felt like I could feel blood gush out during it, sorry if tmi. No idea how much I actually bled as the Dr cleaned it up pretty quickly, still bleeding a bit a few hours later but it's just a bit of spotting. The Dr said to the nurse "ah yes it's bleeding quite a bit ", which to me sort of sounded like she was saying "yeah something is up here".
I stupidly didn't ask is that normal at the time.
So do some people just bleed from smears even though nothing is actually wrong? Anyone experience this? Thanks in advance.

Antares35 · 20-08-2019 2:06pm

Wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I started the pill (microlite) in July. It was a week into my period. I reacted badly to the pill in the past but my GP said this "new generation" one had little or no side effects. One week in, my mood had been affected so badly that I thought I was losing my mind! I spoke to my OH and we agreed that I should stop taking it. Having only had 7 days pills, I wasn't sure what, if any, effect it would have on my cycle.

I am now on day 40 of my cycle and AF still has not shown. I have taken several pregnancy tests (the latest two days ago) which are all negative. I know that the pill can interfere with your cycle but I am surprised that only taking it for 7 days could impact it so much. Has anyone else experienced this, and do you know how long it takes to regulate again?

GRACKEA · 20-08-2019 2:10pm

Antares35 wrote: »

Wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I started the pill (microlite) in July. It was a week into my period. I reacted badly to the pill in the past but my GP said this "new generation" one had little or no side effects. One week in, my mood had been affected so badly that I thought I was losing my mind! I spoke to my OH and we agreed that I should stop taking it. Having only had 7 days pills, I wasn't sure what, if any, effect it would have on my cycle.

I am now on day 40 of my cycle and AF still has not shown. I have taken several pregnancy tests (the latest two days ago) which are all negative. I know that the pill can interfere with your cycle but I am surprised that only taking it for 7 days could impact it so much. Has anyone else experienced this, and do you know how long it takes to regulate again?

I came off microlite and my period took 38 days to return, which was long for me as my cycle is around 27/28 days. I was on for 3 months though, which probably makes a difference. But in my anxiety I read somewhere that a period isn't considered "missed" until 6 weeks after your last one so it might be a good idea to go to your GP or women's clinic at that point.

Antares35 · 20-08-2019 2:20pm

GRACKEA wrote: »

I came off microlite and my period took 38 days to return, which was long for me as my cycle is around 27/28 days. I was on for 3 months though, which probably makes a difference. But in my anxiety I read somewhere that a period isn't considered "missed" until 6 weeks after your last one so it might be a good idea to go to your GP or women's clinic at that point.

Thanks! I will book an appointment for about a week from now and see if something happens in between! I am normally 26 days so this is super late for me. What's worrying me is that I think I did ovulate a couple of days after I stopped taking it. I've also had PMS type symptoms for about two weeks - mood swings, cramps etc. so have been convince that AF is just around the corner for a while now!

GRACKEA · 20-08-2019 3:30pm

Antares35 wrote: »

Thanks! I will book an appointment for about a week from now and see if something happens in between! I am normally 26 days so this is super late for me. What's worrying me is that I think I did ovulate a couple of days after I stopped taking it. I've also had PMS type symptoms for about two weeks - mood swings, cramps etc. so have been convince that AF is just around the corner for a while now!

Oh god there's nothing worse than that wait. Hope it works out for you.

Antares35 · 20-08-2019 3:36pm

GRACKEA wrote: »

Oh god there's nothing worse than that wait. Hope it works out for you.

I know! I've also had heartburn non-stop for the last two weeks and am driving myself mad searching online for "early pregnancy symptoms". However the tests were clear blue so I am fairly confident they are accurate. We aren't actively trying but also if it does happen, it won't be the end of the world, so I am nervous but also know that it will be ok no matter the outcome. Just so impatient and would like either AF or a positive - it is such a limbo!

Faith · 28-08-2019 2:05pm

I overheard something at the gym the other day that I haven't verified in any way, but it was a girl saying she was told by someone (a personal trainer maybe?) that contraception makes women carry more weight in their lower abdomen, and even very slim women who are on contraception will have a little pooch. I certainly carry more weight below my bellybutton than above. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this too? Or if anyone has noticed a change between going on and coming off contraception?

neonsofa · 28-08-2019 5:18pm

Faith wrote: »

I overheard something at the gym the other day that I haven't verified in any way, but it was a girl saying she was told by someone (a personal trainer maybe?) that contraception makes women carry more weight in their lower abdomen, and even very slim women who are on contraception will have a little pooch. I certainly carry more weight below my bellybutton than above. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this too? Or if anyone has noticed a change between going on and coming off contraception?

I would be the same. Been on hormonal contraception for years now so cant compare to without. But i do know i had a flat stomach when i wasnt on it, i put it down to age as opposed to the contraception-but you may be on to something!

Faith · 28-08-2019 6:14pm

neonsofa wrote: »

I would be the same. Been on hormonal contraception for years now so cant compare to without. But i do know i had a flat stomach when i wasnt on it, i put it down to age as opposed to the contraception-but you may be on to something!

Me too, I have always carried my weight on my tummy so I never noticed (and I never had a flat tummy to compare to

) but I’ve been really conscious about my pooch over the last couple of years. I was on the pill from about 17 - 28, then I’ve had a Mirena for 4 years. I’ve been thinking of coming off hormonal contraception for a while when my IUD needs replacing next year, so I’m curious about whether there’ll be any changes in fat distribution.

SaltSweatSugar · 30-08-2019 11:05pm

I’ve been taking the pill for years and I also have a little pooch. But I found a few years ago I went on a very restrictive diet and a rigorous exercise programme. I was still taking the pill but I had a very flat stomach with no pooch. So I think it depends.
I’m back on the pill now just under a year and I’ve lost about two stone since this time last year but still have a bit of a pooch. I wonder if I started focusing on core workouts would it make a difference.

Faith · 09-11-2019 10:01pm

Just wondering if anyone can report on experiences with getting the Mirena removed, and whether you noticed any effects afterwards? I’ve read about the Mirena “crash”, and I guess it’s normal that your hormones would be a bit all over the place. But I always like to hear the experiences of boardsies

Melania Frump · 25-11-2019 12:15am

Faith wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone can report on experiences with getting the Mirena removed, and whether you noticed any effects afterwards? I’ve read about the Mirena “crash”, and I guess it’s normal that your hormones would be a bit all over the place. But I always like to hear the experiences of boardsies

Had it removed no crash that I have noticed anyway

Morby · 26-02-2020 12:24am

Further to some issues I posted about having here previously, it turns out I have some uterine polyps and I'm booked in to have surgery to have them removed.

My consultation with the gynaecologist was super quick, I only saw him for less than 5 minutes.

I'm just wondering if anyone here has had something similar done and if they know it would be possible to have an IUD inserted during the same time as the surgery? I see it's common in the US but I'm not sure about over here.

I'll be a public patient.

I don't have any contact details for the gynaecologist who'll be doing the surgery, so not sure how to get in touch with him to ask, or if I could even just ring up the hospital to ask as I'll only get through to a secretary or receptionist and I'm not sure if it will be appropriate to ask them about that as it may be outside of their remit.

I'm hopelessly new to all of this, hence the silly question.

jordata · 26-02-2020 9:58am

Morby wrote: »

Further to some issues I posted about having here previously, it turns out I have some uterine polyps and I'm booked in to have surgery to have them removed.

My consultation with the gynaecologist was super quick, I only saw him for less than 5 minutes.

I'm just wondering if anyone here has had something similar done and if they know it would be possible to have an IUD inserted during the same time as the surgery? I see it's common in the US but I'm not sure about over here.

I'll be a public patient.

I don't have any contact details for the gynaecologist who'll be doing the surgery, so not sure how to get in touch with him to ask, or if I could even just ring up the hospital to ask as I'll only get through to a secretary or receptionist and I'm not sure if it will be appropriate to ask them about that as it may be outside of their remit.

I'm hopelessly new to all of this, hence the silly question.

I had to have a LLETZ procedure last year and asked to have it in surgery under GA. I had an appointment a few weeks before the surgery in the pre-assessment clinic. There I met someone from the gyne team and asked her to remove my IUD during the procedure. I think pre-assessment is standard in most hospitals so maybe that would be your opportunity to ask?

Good luck with it

user.name · 30-03-2020 6:22pm

I received the results of my smear test this morning, stating that I have an abnormal cell count with a referral to the Rotunda for a colposcopy. I'm sure with the public system and with the COVID 19 crisis this will be a number of weeks/months away. I'd consider going private but can't seem to find any info online. Does anyone have any ideas about going the private route? i.e. contacting GP or just contacting one of the private hospitals. Thanks!

Caranica · 30-03-2020 9:10pm

user.name wrote: »

I received the results of my smear test this morning, stating that I have an abnormal cell count with a referral to the Rotunda for a colposcopy. I'm sure with the public system and with the COVID 19 crisis this will be a number of weeks/months away. I'd consider going private but can't seem to find any info online. Does anyone have any ideas about going the private route? i.e. contacting GP or just contacting one of the private hospitals. Thanks!

Private hospitals have cancelled all day procedures and have done a deal with the Government for the duration of the current crisis. Unfortunately it's a matter of waiting to be called at the moment.

sullivlo · 30-03-2020 9:37pm

user.name wrote: »

I received the results of my smear test this morning, stating that I have an abnormal cell count with a referral to the Rotunda for a colposcopy. I'm sure with the public system and with the COVID 19 crisis this will be a number of weeks/months away. I'd consider going private but can't seem to find any info online. Does anyone have any ideas about going the private route? i.e. contacting GP or just contacting one of the private hospitals. Thanks!

I would contact the Rotunda first and foremost. They will be best positioned to advise... howeverI don't see the rotunda being too badly impacted by covid19 as babies are still being born so gynaecologists still go to work... It is also unlikely that gynaecologists will be redeployed to covid19 work as baby delivery cannot be postponed.

Foweva Awone · 14-05-2020 7:40pm

I've had the Mirena in a couple of years, I've had no issues with it ... the only thing is, I've never worn a tampon since getting it in, as I heard the tampon can get caught up in the strings and pull it out. :eek: Does anyone know if there's any truth to this ... I'd really like to start wearing tampons again (I still get regular periods). Thanks!

sullivlo · 14-05-2020 10:57pm

Foweva Awone wrote: »

I've had the Mirena in a couple of years, I've had no issues with it ... the only thing is, I've never worn a tampon since getting it in, as I heard the tampon can get caught up in the strings and pull it out. :eek: Does anyone know if there's any truth to this ... I'd really like to start wearing tampons again (I still get regular periods). Thanks!

AFAIK tampons are grand. Mooncups are a no no though.

rainbow kirby · 15-05-2020 12:03am

sullivlo wrote: »

AFAIK tampons are grand. Mooncups are a no no though.

Yep. My Mooncup ate my copper IUD just under 2 years ago...

sammyjo90 · 23-06-2020 3:12pm

Just had a colposcopy. Nurse Thought it best to go for a biopsy so fingers crossed that comes back ok!
Went through it fine but just as she was finished i got ridiculously dizzy.
Nurse was saying the masks really dont help with them being able to judge if someone is going to keel over on them or not :pac:

Morby · 30-06-2020 11:04am

Does anyone here know when smear tests can be done at GP's again?

Toto Wolfcastle · 30-06-2020 11:12am

Morby wrote: »

Does anyone here know when smear tests can be done at GP's again?

July but I think you have to wait for a letter to give you the go ahead.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/cervical-cancer-screening-to-resume-from-july-1007183.html

Morby · 30-06-2020 11:14am

That's very helpful, thank you.

Addle · 14-07-2020 3:34pm

Do our faces get hairier the older we get, or is it just mine?
My hair isn’t dark, but I’ve a couple of moles on my face with hairs growing out of them that really irk me.
But definitely my whole face is fuzzier/hairier than it used to be.

sammyjo90 · 14-07-2020 7:48pm

Addle wrote: »

Do our faces get hairier the older we get, or is it just mine?
My hair isn’t dark, but I’ve a couple of moles on my face with hairs growing out of them that really irk me.
But definitely my whole face is fuzzier/hairier than it used to be.

Im nearly certain it does due to hormone changes but not educated enough to say when it starts!

Addle · 14-07-2020 7:57pm

I pluck the odd hair, but I think I’m going beyond that now.

Morby · 24-08-2020 2:52pm

I have an appointment coming up for a colposcopy clinic, I'm a bit nervous about it to say the least, can anyone please advise what they generally do at these appointments and if it hurts much? Thanks.

sammyjo90 · 24-08-2020 5:23pm

Morby wrote: »

I have an appointment coming up for a colposcopy clinic, I'm a bit nervous about it to say the least, can anyone please advise what they generally do at these appointments and if it hurts much? Thanks.

Hiya, had mine done recently.
They basically swab some dyes on the cervix to see how they interact with the cells. This is to show up any abnormal changes and If the nurse deems them significant enough they will take a biopsy and send them away for testing.
The dye part didnt hurt too much(for me) just felt like it was a prolonged smear...but i had to have the biopsy part also and that was just a couple of short sharp pains nothing more.

Morby · 25-08-2020 2:20pm

That's great, thank you for the honest feedback Sammyjo, really appreciate it.

pew · 30-09-2020 2:08pm

Has anyone gotten an IUD fitted? I got Kyleena fitted yesterday.

Just wondering if anyone got cramps afterwards and how long they lasted?

I forgot to ask the doctor about how long they should last. Seem to be on off right now and feel like bad period cramps. I havent had a period cramp in years (usually back ache for me) so i am not used to them at all.

Faith · 30-09-2020 5:20pm

I’ve had two, both Mirena. Most recent one, the cramps lasted for about 24 hours, give or take. They were quite bad on the day of insertion, then much less the next day. It’s different for everyone, but I’d say they’ll be settled down within 3 days. If not, maybe follow up with your doctor.

pew · 30-09-2020 6:47pm

Faith wrote: »

I’ve had two, both Mirena. Most recent one, the cramps lasted for about 24 hours, give or take. They were quite bad on the day of insertion, then much less the next day. It’s different for everyone, but I’d say they’ll be settled down within 3 days. If not, maybe follow up with your doctor.

Thanks Faith. It's not unbearable or debilitating but a bit of a nuisance.

If they dont settle I'll definitely be contacting the doctor.

Mekirin · 02-10-2020 10:49pm

I had the kyleena fitted in February, the worst of the cramps were the day it was inserted. I had cramps for a day or so after, but they were much milder thankfully.

Caranica · 04-11-2020 4:27pm

Found a breast lump 2.5 weeks ago and had my appointment in Beaumont yesterday. Thankfully just a large cyst, which was drained. I knew I had some small ones on the other side but this one was much bigger and a different shape with a ridge which terrified me. So relieved. Very tender and bruised today but beats what it could have been.

Was very impressed, I was seen within minutes of arriving (and before my appointment time). Was there 3 hours all in all - junior doctor, consultant, mammogram, tomogram, ultrasound, draining, junior doctor. I was lucky to get a slot in breast imaging, they only had 5 available for the day. It would have prolonged the fear being sent away to come back for those. By 9am those slots had all been filled, I was lucky my appointment was earlier.

Women's Health Issues: LadyGardening for Dummies

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