The Mysterious Cervix
Guest article written by Rebecca Wachter
I’d like to share my recent experience with HPV (a common sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer) AND then, tell you the story of my newfound fascination with my cervix, a body part I’ve never given much consideration before.
In the past 2 months I have had 3 vaginal exams/procedures.
The first was a Pap smear and HPV test, which came back positive. The second was a colposcopy, which is a procedure to find abnormalities in the cells of the cervix, and the third was a LEEP procedure to remove abnormal/precancerous cells.
I give you these details because as women and mothers, we need to be educated about this stuff (which I was clearly not previous to this).
HPV is the most common STD. Two strains (16 & 18) are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer and precancerous cervical lesions. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women.
After being diagnosed, I had a colposcopy, which is a procedure where they take biopsies of the cervix to determine if there are abnormal cells.
My biopsies came back positive for precancerous cells, and I was referred to have a LEEP (Loop Electrical Excision Procedure) procedure. I had quite a lot of uncertainty and anxiety around this procedure. I felt nervous about having parts of my cervix sheared off. I was afraid that I could have or get cancer.
No one seemed to be able to clearly state the facts of this virus and the possibility of me getting cancer from it. Instead, I felt that the nurses that I spoke to didn’t understand it completely themselves and could not give me a clear idea of what I was dealing with. I mistakenly believed that their sense of urgency and uncertainty meant I very likely could have cancer.
I now know that it takes up to 15 years for HPV to progress to cancer. After a thorough interrogation of the GYN that did the LEEP procedure, I was reassured that it was highly unlikely that I would get cancer because I have regular Pap smears and exams.
By diagnosing the cell abnormalities early and having the LEEP procedure done with the recommended follow up appointments, I have prevented the likelihood of developing cervical cancer.
I provided the logistical part of my story first in hopes that you can have a better understanding of HPV and the importance of taking preventative steps like annual doctor visits and regular Pap smears (every 2 years for younger women starting at age 21, and every 3 years for older women). There is also a vaccine that is recommended for teens that completely prevents contraction of the HPV virus.
Now for the juicy part of this article, my newfound fascination with My Cervix. After having three vaginal exams in two months, I started to notice a theme. During each examination, the medical staff were excited to take a peek at my Cervix- the doctors, nurses, and interns all peering through the speculum to see the mysterious hidden cervix. Commenting with awe or silently observing what I had never seen.
I was really beginning to feel left out and even kind of gypped, like I didn’t know about and couldn’t see the most intriguing part of myself. Why didn’t they offer me a look? After all, it’s my body!
I began to get curious about this unknown, magical body part of mine. I realized that I didn’t even know the size of my cervix. All the while the doctors talked to me as though I had an intimate relationship with it, as though I understood it as well as I do my hands or feet.
I began to ask questions and felt foolish for not knowing. I began to wonder why this important and personal body part that makes me a woman was not discussed with me during puberty or at any of my female doctors visits or during my pregnancy.
“What DOES my cervix look like,” I wondered. Why are all these medical professionals impressed with this hidden gem? Why haven’t I ever seen my own cervix!? What the heck does it look like??? How do I find out? Why hasn’t anyone ever shown me? Not even once?
At the age of 38, I have had plenty of professionals look at my cervix, yet I have no idea what it looks like. Of course I have imagined a round, pink, moist opening at the top of my vagina but there has never been a real life image in my brain.
So, this morning, I decided to do the only logical thing that one can do when they need more information. I got on my phone and googled ‘what does a cervix look like.’ I wasn’t sure what to expect and decided to play it safe and use a private webpage just in case any pornography sites popped up. I didn’t want that to be programmed into my phone.
Surprisingly, the first website listed was perfectly aligned with my curiosities. Women’s Health, 7 Photos of Your Cervix You Need to See. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19977125/cervix-pictures/
The article begins with an explanation of the purpose of the cervix and then goes on to explain how to look at your own cervix!! Who would have thought? I can order a speculum, learn how to put it in and use a mirror and flashlight to see this amazing, mysterious, unknown part of me.
There’s even a link to purchase a starter kit for $22.95 from the Beautiful Cervix Project. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds pretty freaking awesome to me!
Why wasn’t this part of my sex education? Why hasn’t anyone ever told me about my cervix? And how synchronistic is it that this is happening to me? That I have a pre pubescent daughter? And that I am collaborating to help educate Moms and daughters about the sacredness of being and becoming a woman!!?
In addition to all of this lovely information, for the first time (as far as I can remember) I got to see photos of a cervix at the various phases of the monthly cycle.
Now, I know why all of these medical professionals were so intrigued. What an amazing thing to be so lucky to see. This hidden secret and oh so important female body part, the gatekeeper of the uterus! Wow!
The various photos in the article depict the vastly different appearances of the cervix as it changes with each phase of the monthly cycle, as though it has various moods or personalities- an entity of its own with massive responsibilities.
The cervix not only blocks undesirable things from entering the uterus to protect the uterus from germs, but it also allows mucus, blood, and babies to exit.
Wow, I feel like my self image has changed from this experience. I now know myself in a more intimate way. I have become closer to my womanhood. My body is amazing. My cervix is amazing. No wonder the medical staff revered the view of this sacred part of me, the mysterious cervix.
Resources:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-and-cervical-cancer
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19977125/cervix-pictures/