Cervix. It isn’t a word that usually comes up in everyday conversation. But why is it difficult to talk about?
Is it because we don’t have enough awareness? Or is it an uncomfy subject? I’d say it’s both.
If you want to get right down to it, the cervix is a natural part of the female reproductive system. More specifically, it’s the neck that connects the uterus and vagina, or yoni as I like to call her overall, the Sanskrit name that roughly translates as sacred temple or source of life.
So when you start hearing words like Pap smear, cervix and pre-cancerous cells, well, that’s a conversational mix a lot of women tend to get anxious about and avoid.
It’s scary when confronted with anything that remotely relates to the C-word.
That’s why I think it’s time to get comfy with our cervix, let alone anything else that relates to our sexuality and pelvic region, and start releasing, as healthily as we can, any shame, guilt or taboo surrounding it.
We need to start talking about our cervixes with more love, compassion and conscious awareness. Because when we do that, we allow ourselves to become more connected and empowered.
We start cervical healing.
Wake-up Call
Why do I want to get the cervix out there? Let’s just say that oncologist gynaecologist was never part of my vocabulary until I turned 40.
A couple of months before I even knew I was seeing one, I was feeling fab about this new, wiser decade. Single at the time with no children, yet having amassed lots of life experience and with many wonderful plans ahead (including having children), a reminder from my GP came in the mail one week after my 40th.
I was overdue — by about seven years — for a Pap test.
Four weeks later, I saw my GP, and as calmly as I could, breathed deeply into my lower belly to centre myself. None of my Pap tests had ever been uncomfy — thanks to a considerate and gentle doctor and me being present to the process — and fortunately the results had always come back clear.
I felt fine and figured this checkup would come back with similar results. But the look on my doctor’s face as she took the blood-soaked sample told me a different story…
Next Stop: Oncologist Gynaecologist
What? Why did I leave it so long?
I figured my ultra-healthy-cum-holistic approach to life, from everything natural and/or organic that I consumed, to yoga, meditation and the as toxin-free as can be environment I lived in, had me covered.
Plus, I’ve always been aware there are two sides to having the cells of your cervix gently scraped.
On the one hand, it’s been well-reported that it’s helped detect any abnormalities early and reduced women’s cervical cancer in Australia by half since the National Cervical Screening Program began in 1991. On the other hand, and not so widely known, having too regular Pap smears, like going yearly, could potentially lead to abnormalities occurring down the track.
For women in Australia, the recommended review period is now every five years (previously it was every two), with changes to the process having taken place in December 2017.
It’s a delicate balance, but it’s also important to be self-aware.
The lead up to my appointment with the oncologist gynaecologist was a time of bewilderment, yet still attempting to tell myself that everything was okay. There was zero history of cervical cancer in my family and no evidence of HPV (human papillomavirus infection).
When it came to the appointment, it was explained how the colposcopy (including a large microscope-like instrument) worked.
A few biopsies later, I had to wait two weeks for the results. When they returned, I was told I had a moderate to high cervical dysplasia — a CIN 2/CIN 3. In other words, pre-cancerous cells on the surface of the cervix.
Given the stage it was at, I was advised it can’t naturally regress (unlike a mild CIN 1 that has the possibility of clearing on its own), but it’s possible over a much longer period of time that it could progress to the deeper layers. CANCER.
“No rush,” the oncologist gynaecologist said, “but how about the following week for a LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of the Transformative Zone)? It will be a day surgery.”
My head was spinning. Aside from fear kicking in, I wanted to make an empowered decision.
“If it’s not urgent, why next week? What about three to six months?”
His reply: “Why, are you going somewhere?”
Post-Surgery
Despite not wanting to go down the surgical path, it was done.
Before fully coming around from the anaesthetic, my face was wet. As I slowly opened my eyes, blinking, tears streaked my face.
A piece of my femininity was gone.
For the next six weeks, I wallowed in anger and sorrow.
I was traumatised from the cervix out.
Learning to Love You and Your Cervix
I’ve had to learn, really learn, to love, accept and nurture myself and my cervix. This has included healing through tantric yoga, meditation, deep breathwork, vocal toning and ecstatic dance.
I clearly remember activating my cervix one day through an asana (posture). She wept with relief.
Not only that, I had to consider my inner dialogue, the way I thought and felt about myself. I realised that deep down I wasn’t being kind to myself.
Ladies, whether you’re a mama, soul companion, sister, nanna, daughter, granddaughter, auntie, lover or someone’s bestie, we need to get in tune with our cervixes.
We also need our regular screenings.
As Papscreen Victoria indicated when Pap tests were being done: “7 in 10 Victorian women who develop cervical cancer either never had a Pap test or did not have them regularly prior to diagnosis.” Add to that how The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation has said almost half of Aussie women don’t get screened regularly.
And with the new Cervical Screening Test said to detect infection that could possibly lead to cancerous cells in the cervix earlier than a Pap test, that’s got to be a good thing.
Either way, to overcome any fear or embarrassment about the cervix, we need to be more conscious in our approach. We need to have healthier conversations, whether it’s in daily life or when we have something like a cervical screening test, biopsy, or surgical procedure — should it get to that stage and you choose that path.
The cervix is a deep, potent source of creativity and receiving, and not just in a sexual or deliciously orgasmic way. But if the cervix has experienced any distress, whether sexually, through childbirth or medical procedures, she becomes traumatised and shuts down.
I know my cervix is my high priestess. She is my bliss.
Love you, love her. She needs more nurturing than you might think.
When was the last time you tuned in to your cervix?
By Kristin Lee
After many biopsies and Pap tests over the past few years, as of 2018 I am thrilled to say that I don’t need to do another Cervical Screening Test until 2023! Given the recent introduction of the Cervical Screening Test, and being one of the minority of women to have had the new test earlier this year, my GP believes that I’m ahead of my time. Here’s to radiant health and vitality.
Please note: this post is my personal opinion. It is an updated version of ‘Cervical Healing’, which was first published on March 15, 2016. If needed, appropriate health and/or medical advice should be sought.
Read part two of this blog post at “How to Tune in to Your Cervix Naturally”.
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