Abnormal smear: types of treatment | Afrilatest.be

The treatment depends on the location of the abnormal tissue on the cervix and the severity of the abnormality. The gynaecologist can inform you further, but we will already go over the four most common treatments.

Also read: Abnormal smear: course of colposcopy and biopsy

Lisexcision (lisconization, hotloop)

In this procedure, the gynaecologist peels away the abnormal tissue with a metal loop. The wound then heals. Sometimes this procedure is also called a loop or hot loop.

The treatment takes place under local anesthesia, general anesthesia or with a spinal injection and takes about fifteen minutes.

You will sit in the gynecological examination chair. You will get a sticker on your leg to conduct electrical current. After a speculum is inserted into the vagina, the doctor will administer local anesthesia with a thin needle. The cervix will be colored with vinegar solution or iodine. Then the gynecologist will remove tissue with the heated loop.

Inserting the needle for local anesthesia often causes some pain for a short time. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, you generally do not feel anything of the lisexcision itself.

Afterwards you may have bloody discharge for more than a week.

Also read: Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer

Cryo treatment (freezing)

In this procedure, the gynaecologist freezes the abnormal tissue of the cervix. The wound then heals.

Afterwards you can have a fairly long period of discharge (sometimes up to six weeks). During this period the frozen tissue is shed and the wound heals. The discharge is often watery and often smells bad.

Also read: Cervical cancer: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Laser treatment (evaporation)

The treatment is performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia or with a spinal injection, and takes about fifteen minutes. You take a seat in the gynaecological examination chair. The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina. Then local anesthesia is administered. This is done with a thin needle. The cervix is ​​stained with a vinegar solution or iodine. The abnormal tissue is then evaporated using laser beams.

Inserting the needle for local anesthesia often causes some pain for a short time. Once the anesthesia is given, you generally feel little of the laser treatment itself.

Afterwards you may have discharge for quite some time.

Conization (surgery)

During a conization, the gynecologist removes a cone-shaped piece of the cervix.

You often have blood loss for a week or more until the wound has healed or a scab has formed. The scab may come off, or you may have grainy blood loss.

Also read: Conization: cervical surgery in case of abnormal smear test

Recovery after treatment

• Use of tampons: Many gynaecologists advise against the use of tampons as long as there is still bleeding or discharge after treatment.
• Sexuality: Sex is generally discouraged as long as there is still bleeding or discharge after treatment. There is no objection to an orgasm (coming). Having intercourse again for the first time is often a scary idea. However, nothing serious can happen. Occasionally there is some (grainy) bleeding. The cervix is ​​not yet completely healed. In that case, wait a little longer before having intercourse.
• Swimming, bathing and showering: Some gynaecologists advise against swimming or taking a bath as long as there is still bloody discharge. Other gynaecologists have no objection to this. You can safely use the shower.
• If you have a lot of bleeding after a cervical treatment, more than with a heavy menstruation, it is wise to contact the gynaecologist. After a lisexcision or a conisation, the chance of this is about 5%. If you get a fever after the treatment, this is also a reason to consult the gynaecologist.

Post-check

In more than 90% of women, the smear becomes normal again after treatment. This is a sign that the treatment has been successful. In some cases, the smear still appears abnormal after treatment. The gynaecologist will then perform a colposcopy again. Depending on the findings, it will be discussed with you whether a second treatment is necessary.

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