cervical stenosis, cervix scarred shut

[kelly26pa]

has anyone been diagnosed with cervical stenosis?  I got it from having a cone biopsy 2 years ago.  I was on the depo shot so I wasn't getting any periods, but then i got severe abdominal pain and had to have surgery.  That's when they noticed my cervix was scarred shut.   It reclosed after the surgery 3 months ago.  I am seeing a new dr soon, but i am confused.  I haven't been able to evacuate menstrual fluid for the past two months.  Anyone have any info?

[Ladykirk]

I found out just last year before my surgery for fibroids that my uterus wasnt expelling fluid. I just realized that having had a colpo, and having been on the depo provera for over ten years that it could be a cause of this. It gives me comfort that im not alone in this, I also have hope in my heart again....that ill be able to get pregnant. Naturally. Does anyone know what we can do non medically for this?

[ataloss54321]

I am a 60 year woman who just had a cold knife cone biopsy.  It seems that I am "healing too well".  When I ask the OGYN what that meant she told me my vaginal wall was healing over and onto my cervix.  She was concerned that if I did not start using estrogen cream I may end up with a closed cervix and a shortened vaginal canal.  I got the cream (reluctantly) from the pharmacy and used it once, which resulted in new bleeding.  I am just beside myself about what to do going forward.  I no longer have periods, so I wonder what the harm is in stopping the cream.   It seems like the use of the cream and new bleeding is more of an  infection risk that I want to take.  I had this procedure 8 weeks ago and bled for the first 6 weeks.  I'm just to pissed that this kind of risk was not explained to me before the procedure.  I may have elected not to have it.  Damn it all!

[MsMalinda1947]

I am not young.  Am 66 years old.  Went through most of my younger years with NO periods at all.  That was fine with me.  So, with that never had any children and never got pregnant.  Then when about 30 years old a special GYN  made it possible to have periods.  That lasted until I was about 47 when periods came so heavy that I could not work when a period came on.  At 50 periods stopped.  No periods from then on, until I got to 62 years old.  Spotting here and there, not worth wearing a pad.  Went on for few years.  Seen a GYN.  Then found out, not only did my cervix grown shut...it is SCARED shut where as it took 3 surgeons to cut a tiny hole there to do a pap smear.  Nothing showed up bad, but  got hormone pills and that almost killed me, bleed 2 months straight and had to use Depends.  Now, I'm back to spotting every few days.  Since the GYN screwed me up...fear of not going back.  Because of cervix acared shut...WHERE IS THE BLOOD coming from?  How can it come out of a closed cercix?  No other problems...just the idea of spotting every few days.  Anyone with this kind of problem?

[Trafficjam]

OMG!!!!!! You mean to tell me they cut half of my cervix off over a false positive you've got to be kidding me!!!!  Are you a health professional or is this just some random stuff you found on the internet to freak us all out with if you did THIS IS SO NOT FUNNY!!!!  If this is based on fact and you are a health professional you would be shocked to know this is happening to women in New Zealand ALL THE TIME!!  Right that's it I'm suing the bastards prepare for battle time to strap on my armour climb up on my war horse and ride on in there broadsword swinging some heads are going to roll over this OH YEAH REVENGE WILL BE MINE!!  Cervical Screening were very cagey when I asked for clarification recently I suspect they are hiding something.... I am determined to get to the bottom of this

[Trafficjam]

I completely agree with you Margie I am totally shocked and stunned about how out of her depth my gynae was about all this.  I mean you put so much faith in the Dr's to reassure you confidently take control and know whats needs to be done and how.... she is seeking advice from my fertility specialist in Dunedin also lecturer at the med school there.... however he chose a great time to go on holiday didn't he for a whole month.... meanwhile left hanging with no answers no options on the table no idea what I qualify for via public system for IVF etc nothing... no idea if there are any surprises in my womb for me either... 18 years since my Cone Biopsy will freak right out if I've had a back wash situation like you've had for all that time... ultra sound didn't show up anything mind you it never shows up everything... meanwhile sister in law pregnant had bad smear Dr's very worried about her gynae check up looks like she has CIN 2 & 3 pre cancerous cells possibly worse... wanted to do Cone Biopsy while she was pregnant but lots of risks to the baby miscarrying pre birth at 25 weeks etc.... have decided to wait it out till birth in December but this cancer moves FAST as you know so very worried about her really hoping it is not going to end in hysterectomy for her or worse... wow talk about worry overload my foster brother has already los this Mum to Cervical Cancer and his half sister to an seizure at night while everyone was asleep can not bear to see him lose the love of his life too :-/  Really hoping we will both be ok trying hard to stay positive but the odds are against us both

[Trafficjam]

Thank you this gives me hope so terrified I would not be able to ever have a child of my own after my diagnosis.  IVF likely to be difficult they said but thankfully have a very experienced specialist.

[Trafficjam]

Thank you so much this gives me some hope.  I had a cone biopsy age 20 a creep drugged my drink at a party age 19 caught HPV (wart) virus from him attacked cells in my cervix turning them cancerous in 12 months first smear ever was really bad trip to gynae revealed CIN II CIN III sighted very shocked.  Never realised I had Stenosis at all until last week even at my HSG the gynae didn't click even though he had great difficulty getting it in there 12 months later I have my diagnosis must say I am more than slightly annoyed I had my cone biopsy done age 20 now age 38 why was this not the firs thing they considered way back at age 35 when I had not conceived after 6 months they had all the evidence just feel so angry it has taken 3 years to get this investigative surgery and diagnosis.  I can still have my period although they have told me my cervix is as small as a strand of my hair.  I got pregnant and miscarried 4 years ago would ot stop bleeding D & C had to follow very certain my cervix was further scarred by this operation.  Gynae has done a laproscopy was also supposed to do a hysteroscopy at the same time read operation notes OMG they almost completely violated me trying to get the thin tube and camera in there but failed :'-( Reading this is kind of freaking me about wahts going in in my womb also got diagnosed with an anteverted uterus periods have nto been normal since my D & C 4 years ago dark brown and thick was never like that lots of old blood.  Only get decent bleed and red blood maybe every 2nd - 3rd month now only lasts 2 -3 days and not 4 - 5 like it used to.  My pap smears may have been inaccurate since age 20 who would know hardly have any cervix left.... getting very scared as to what else they could find hidden in there... laser sounds like a great idea should be able to get pregnant naturally if I do this tubes ovaries and eggs good will discuss this page with my gynae thank you all so much for telling me what they wouldn't tell me I don't think any of them want to be the bearer of bad news my fertility specialist is on holiday for another month and they left me hanging none brave enough to be the one to break it to me.  I am so glad I found this I had done other searches through the net and found nothing this is what I really needed to see thank you all so much :-)

[Lynnie67]

My Name is Lyn, I am 47years of age.  Been having regular pap smears, last one was aug 2011, went last Wednesday only to find out that my cervix is scarred closed.  Dr said it is caused by infection, or procedure.  I have had neither of these.  If anyone can shed any light on this please, I am worried about Cancer.

[Lynnie67]

My Name is Lyn, I am 47years of age.  Been having regular pap smears, last one was aug 2011, went last Wednesday only to find out that my cervix is scarred closed.  Dr said it is caused by infection, or procedure.  I have had neither of these.  If anyone can shed any light on this please, I am worried about Cancer.

[melrose86]

Hi i am hoping some one here can help me,
I have suffering with lots of pulling pains and cramps for a while BUT this week (Thursday) the pains got so bad its waking me in my sleep i went to the doctors who sent me straight to the gyno department the same day. After many internals and scans i was told that my cervix is closed, they can't make out if its blocked or stitched and that i have been having periods but because of the cervix being closed its just sitting there. (not had period for 2 years as on mini pill and thought i was a lucky one). I have been told i will need to be put asleep while they operate and that its not a simple procedure and asked questions like do i plan to have any more children!? WHY? any way and that they will sent me a letter with a date for my op and that  it will be within this month. I am scared and very confused as i don't understand how this has happened! Has this happened to anyone? And if so what happens in the operation? Is it a speedy recovery for me?

[Bettybettybetty]

I had a cold cone biopsy November 2007 and my tubes tied so I stopped depo after being on it for 6+ years with no periods. Cervix healed like normal (I thought) until July I started having the most sharp intense pain in the lower stomach/pelvic area. To the point I couldn’t sit still I had to walk constantly. X-ray showed nothing so I had a ct scan done. Doctor said he’d never seen my results before but my uterus was filled with fluid and I needed to see my obgyn ASAP. The next day I had a vaginal ultrasound done where they found my cervix was scarred shut from the biopsy and 2-4 months of blood was in my uterus from my period returning. She tried to dialate my cervix in the office but that was useless. I was in surgery later the same day to cut my cervix open and she said it was the nastiest operation she ever did when the blood came pouring out. More of my cervix was removed to ensure it didn’t happen again. I can’t understand how I didn’t get toxic shock syndrome and sepsis.

[specialmom]

wow!  That's amazing.  I'm glad you are okay now!

[km70]

Margie, tank you for your answer, but I don't have kids and I do want to have and this is not a way for me so I really want to find a solution if any doctor can build the canal again.

[margie464]

My cervical scarring completely covered my cervix to the point where they couldn't find it.  The inability for menstrual blood to pass out meant that I was in awful monthly pain.  I had a hysterectomy to resolve it as no dilatation worked and I wasn't planning anymore kids.  I haven't looked back.  I hope things work out for you.

[km70]

Hello girls,
I want to ask if someone have the same problem and maybe give some advice. Due to electro conisation I don't have cervix, it is all gone. After two months in which I don't have periods It came up that my cervical canal is completely closed and they can't find the entrance. They tried dilatation guided with ultrasound under general anaesthetic but can't reach the uterus because of a fibrous tissue they met on the way. They didn't go further because of a risk of rupture.
Does anyone have the same problem with no cervical canal, how did you solve it? Thank you

[margie464]

Wow - are there any gynos reading this stuff?  I had a cone biopsy in 1999 and then all good until March 2011 where I had adenocarcinoma in situ which is essentially pre-cancerous cells in the glands of the cervix.  After 8 months of agonising monthly pain I knew I had cervical scarring (I had this back in 1999 and was resolved at the time) however the advice from 2 gynos was to have a hysterectomy given I had already had my children, and the cervical stenosis would make pap smears and detecting cell changes, very difficult.  It does seem that the hysterectomy was quite a radical thing to do but I guess it has resolved the monthly pain issues which many of you know too well.  It also appears that the inability for my monthly flow to completely flow out has caused endometriosis (I have never had period pain and had no trouble conceiving my 3 kids which I am apparently lucky about) and my ovaries are really unwell so now need to contemplate having them removed.  My Drs believe this back flow of menstrual blood has been going on for years but completely un-diagnosed and never mentioned or even suggested to me as a consequence of the cone biopsy procedures.  I can't believe how little is known about this stuff and how inconsistent it is globally by these 'specialist' Drs.  Best of luck to everyone.

[Stac98]

I have had a DNC (1997) after a miscarriage, a LEEP (1998) for displasia, and a surgical cone (2003). I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis with a capital S in 2008 and about a month ago I started having severe menstrual cramps and clotting. I have been on the depo shot since 2000 so I normally don't have a period except when I am under a significant amount of stress. After having an ultrasound done, my doctor told me the results was I had "fluid" in my cervix. He said it was probably blood since I had clotted and the stenosis was preventing it from escaping properly. He said since it had only been going on for a month, when I go back in Sept. for my annual we would see how I was then, unless the pain became unbearable. The only option he gave me was a hysterectomy leaving the ovaries behind. Is there anything else that will permanently fix this?

[mjsmudger]

Hi I had cone biopsy and loop excision done three years ago and my periods stopped.  I have been discharged from one gyny telling me they didn't know why I wasn't having periods as my hormones were fine and it didn't matter as I didn't want to get pregnant.  This is despite me telling them I was in agony every month.  I even came up with this diagnosis and was laughed at saying it is very unlikely.  3 years on and I end up at a&E in agony thinking I was miscarrying and I get referred to a new gyny.  Who does what no on else had done and looks with a hystroscopy and laproscopy and wonders will never cease I am completely healed shut.  The first doctor tried for 25 mins to dilate me, the second 15 mins and then the first doc tried again for 25 mins before abandoning the procedure.  my left ovary and tube are now knackered and I am awaiting a decision as to the next step. Last Friday I was again doubled over at the side of the bed.  I hope I can get sorted I am getting married and want a baby with my fiance.  Does anyone know if the nitinol stent is available in the uk?

[Ashley1118]

I'm in the same boat as some of you. I had Cryrosurgery done this September and my period in October was extremely painful and VERY clotty. Now it is January of 2012 and I have not got another period and had HORRID pains both months my period didn't come...and I'm on the pill so I knew something was wrong. Went back to the gyno and I have a completely stenotic cervix, which they claim is highly unusual for this procedure. Two drs tried to break the scar tissue and were not successful. It is weird because they had dialated me in the beginning of Oct. and said my os was open. I left with estrogen cream that is suppose to soften my cervix, and a prescription for cytotec which I need to take a day before I go back in and they attempt to dialate me. I just turned 25 last mth and this is so depressing. I had mild/moderate dysplasia and now I'am so scared I will not be able to have children or get endometriosis from this crap if it re-closes. My doctor is not compassionate at all. Has anyone had this resolve after surgery?

[canice791]

HI
I am in a similar situation, i have to have a d&c next month for stenosed cervix, but my main problem is rectal pain and pressure, i dont get uterine pain, just the rectal pain and its could happen throughout the whole month a break every now and then,. its starting to really bother now as i feel its radiating down my legs, has anyone else got the same symptoms. im very worried at this stage im only 32 and have had two letz and now this!!

[Lo124]

Hello, I feel the same feeling a lot of the time. I just had a D&C to remove polyps today and am having posterior pain and pressure in my rectum. I'm thinking the pain could be caused by the speculum being pressed back for so long. I have the same pain during the ultrasound when the wand was pressed back towards my rectum. A little worried about this. Did your pain eventually subside? They are thinking pain could be caused by endometriosis.

[tommysgirl927]

I think I might be older than the rest of you. I had an abnormal pap while pregnant with my daughter in 1988. I had cryo surgery that did not work and was then lasered. My paps where normal but I did need to have a uterine oblation in 1995 for uterine polyps. I have once again had an abnormal pap and went for a LEEP procedure. During this procedure the Doctor told me my cervix was stenosed and she had to dialate me in order to do the procedure correctly. I thought my light periods were due to the oblation. The only thing the doctor has suggested to me was Estrogen suppositories (just a note i am not menopausal) which I have never heard of. I still recvoering from the LEEP so I have not yet tried the suppositories. I will let you know if they work!

[jt123799]

I had a LEEP procedure done about 5 years ago, and like many people here I was on Depo for a while. I came off Depo and after a couple years started getting really bad pain every month even though I never got cramps before, and I wasn't getting any bleeding.  My doctor knows I have a stenotic cervix from the procedure, and I asked if it could be a problem that I couldn't have my period and was told it was normal.  I ended up in the ER monday since my doctor wouldn't see me (they could fit me in in a couple of months) and I couldn't take the pain anymore.   The ER doctor did an ultrasound and found that my uterus was swollen and misshappen.  I went in for surgery and had my cervix dilated and my uterus drained.  I was told that I should expect some bleeding but nothing too heavy.  All I've gotten is a very little spotting.  I don't know if that's because they drained everything out during the surgery, or if my cervix shut itself again.  Does anyone know if thats normal?  I go back for my pot op appt in a couple of weeks, but I kinda want to know what to expect.  I don't want to got through that pain again!

[Max375]

Okay, this thread is very disturbing...
Are you aware that women are not even tested before age 25 or even 30 in some countries? Why? Because the evidence is that screening does not change the tiny death rate in women under 25 (or even 30) BUT, testing produces very high numbers of false positives and leads to harmful over-treatment. Almost all referrals are false positives - this test is intrinsically unreliable and the cancer is rare, that's a bad combination. An abnormal test means cancer or a real problem in less than 1% of cases. (and the risk in a woman under 25 is near zero)
I strongly suspect most of you have had unnecessary procedures - testing a 19 year old woman is unethical - she has a VERY high risk of a false positive (1 in 3), but cancer in this age group is vanishingly rare.
Finland has the lowest rates of cervical cancer in the world and they offer just 5 to 7 tests over your lifetime - 5 yearly from age 30. They still sends 35%-55% of women for colposcopy and usually some sort of biopsy in their lifetime, but that's the best you'll do with this test. (that's a lot better than the States though where 95% of women are referred)
Note: lifetime risk of cervical cancer is 0.65% in Australia (maybe a little higher in the States but no more than 1%) - 0.45% benefit from testing (0.65% in the States), 0.20% (0.35% in the States) get false negatives and the rest derive no benefit, but 77%-78% will be referred...95% in the States...
This testing causes major over-detection and over-treatment. You can minimize the risks by examining your risk profile and if you choose to test, adopt a schedule that gives you some protection from false positives - like the Finnish program.
As a low risk woman, I made an informed decision not to screen more than 25 years ago. I'm not interested in an unreliable test that causes major over-treatment for a rare cancer - and especially when my risk is near zero.
I suggest you seek legal advice - you should have been warned about the high risks of early testing for no benefit and any abnormal result should have been managed VERY conservatively....this degree of damage to your bodies should NOT have occurred.

[plushdream]

I recently had a hysteroscopy/d&c for cervical stenosis. i havent had a period for over a year. I was pregnant last year and had a miscarriage. After 2 d&c to remove tissues from pregnancy. I never got a period. It took them a long time to diagnose stenosis! Sheesh!
Now Its been almost 2 weeks since surgery. the Dr put in a catheter in my cervix to keep it from closing up again. I go back in a few days to have it removed. Basically i was having monthly pain each month and no periods or spotting at all for over a year. It puzzles me, how long it took for htem to consider the possibility of cervical stenosis. Im baffled. However, they said the surgery went well and fingers crossed, cervix will stay open.

[rosie196099]

I started to have severe periods around xmas last year and in march had hig blood pressure spikes.  I have been to outpatients several times and to my family dr several times, all they agreed on is that hormones may be causing this issue.  i recently was referred to a gynocologist and she told me that my cervix is severely scarred shut.  I have had dialation done which didn't work and now they want me to have surgery.  I am 50 years old and not looking to have children and i am very confused about what to do.  Everytime my cycle is about to start my blood pressure goes up and i am in a panic and my doctor and anyone at out-patients just poo-poo me.  Am I crazy?  I will take any advice I can get

[grettagrids]

I have had an ablation and now my cervix cannot be entered with even a 2 mm dilator!! I have severe pain,cramping and spasms evry month, HUGE clots that hurt like heck coming out and retaining of fluids. help!!! would a LEEPbe beneficial for me?? I am so sick of this crap every month!! had this for four yrs now.