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Information for patients
Colposcopy Clinic:
DIATHERMY (CAUTERY) OF THE CERVIX
This is a treatment to your cervix for cervical
‘erosion’, or more accurately, a cervical ectopy.
This is a normal hormonal effect on the cervix,
and it does not cause pain. The only symptoms
you may experience are excessive vaginal
discharges or bleeding after intercourse. The
ectopy can be left without treatment unless you
are bothered by the above symptoms.
This information sheet will give you an idea of
what to expect and how to take care of yourself
after having this treatment to your cervix.
We cannot guarantee that this treatment will
be a long-term cure, as your hormones will still
influence the cervix in the normal way, but it may
at least help your symptoms in the short-term.
Please remember that a cervical ectopy is not an
abnormality.
It is very important to report all bleeding after
intercourse, or bleeding after the menopause, to
your doctor.
What can I expect after the
treatment?
Pain
The local anaesthetic should wear off in about
two to three hours. You should not have any pain
once the local has worn off. However some ladies
may experience some lower abdominal pain like
a ‘period pain’. If this should become a problem,
please take some Paracetamol or Nurofen, or
whatever you would normally take for period
pains. This should settle within a day or two. If the
pain persists for longer, please contact your GP or
Practice Nurse.
Vaginal discharge
We would expect you to have some form of
discharge for about two to three weeks. This will
consist of blood, mucous and some black ‘tea
leaf’ looking flecks of carbon residue. This is quite
normal but may be messy – please do not be too
concerned about this. If the discharge should
become offensive-smelling, please contact your
GP or practice nurse as soon as possible, as this is
Hamstel Road
Harlow, Essex
CM20 1QX
Tel: 01279 444455
usually indicative of an infection. A short course of
antibiotics should be enough to sort this out.
Some ladies are very lucky not to have much
discharge at all, yet others report that they are
still having some form of discharge up to six weeks
later. If you are one of the unfortunate ladies to
have a discharge lasting up to six weeks, please
do not be too concerned, as it will be settling very
soon. If it doesn’t please give us a call here in the
clinic and we will advise you (01279 827106).
Your period will come on as normal, but it may
seem heavier than usual as you will be discharging
from the wound on the cervix as well as from the
uterus. Some ladies even report passing small
clots; this is not unusual but if you are concerned,
please visit your GP for some advice.
Heavy bleeding
Very occasionally, women report a very heavy
blood loss with large clots. This may happen about
10-14 days after the treatment. If your period is
not due, this may be what is called a secondary
haemorrhage. The usual cause is an infection.
This bleeding can be very alarming, but please
don’t panic. Come straight up to the hospital’s
Accident and Emergency Department and we will
very easily get everything under control. Very
occasionally we may need to keep you in hospital
overnight for observation. If you are unsure if
this is a haemorrhage or a heavy period, you are
welcome to come to the hospital to be examined.
Do’s and don’ts
◗
Do bath and shower as normal. If you prefer
to bath, please don’t put any bubble bath or
oils in the water.
◗
Do not go swimming until the discharge is
over as pools are full of bacteria and a great
source of infection.
◗
Do not use tampons.
◗
Avoid intercourse for at least three to four
weeks, or until you have no further vaginal
discharge.
continued overleaf
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◗
Avoid horse riding and heavy gym work for
about a week or so.
Further Information
Further information is available on
www.patient.co.uk or www.netdoctor.co.uk
Apart from these basic instructions, lead life
as normal.
Follow-up
We do not usually need to see you again here in
the clinic. We will discharge you back to the care
of your GP for normal cervical screening.
Risks and complications
Bleeding and infection are the most common
complications. please see the vaginal discharge
paragraph above.
Current research in the British Medical Journal
(BMJ) 2008 confirms that gentle cautery to the
cervix has no detrimental effects on sustaining
a pregnancy to term.
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If you have any questions or queries, please
contact the colposcopy administrator on 01279
827106.
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Shopping
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Princess
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