Why is anesthetic not routinely used during a cervical biopsy?

I found this thread today after trying to figure out why on earth they don't give anesthetic for cervical biopsy. I had three today during colposcopy. I have PTSD and told them that pain was very triggering and they said "you'll just feel some discomfort." No. You will feel searing pain that will make you scream your lungs, cry big gulping tears, and if you have PTSD, dissociate. It's absolutely barbaric. I can't understand why? I've had many biopsies in other places (I have a genetic tumor disorder), and they were always great about numbing an area and waiting long enough for it to kick in. This is absolutely horrifying. What can be done?

Same here. I was told they needed to have an endometrial biopsy and was given zero warning of how painful it would be. I was given no anesthetic. I am so angry. Why do they not numb the area or at least warn you about the pain?! I was sick and traumatized, dizzy and faint and sweating. The Dr. then just quickly left and said "oh you can lie there if you are dizzy". Didn't ask me if I was okay. When I asked the Dr. why she didn't warn me- she would not respond. When I asked the nurse why no anesthetic or warning was given she said "well it only lasts ten seconds". I asked her if she had ever had the procedure done and she said no, and so I asked her not to diminish my painful experience please. The use a Pipelle, basically like a straw and push it into your sensitive soft parts for 10 seconds. Dr. did it 3 times. It was horrible so I can't believe they try to pass it off as not a big deal.

I had a cervical biopsy today. A few clips from cervix and scrapping from interior of it.
Not a big deal.
Just my experience.

Yesterday I had an experience similar to what others have detailed here. I went to get a colposcopy and several biopsies and I was told NOTHING could be give for my anxiety or the pain. NOTHING. It is completely beyond me that when a tooth is drilled it is numbed but when a piece is taken from the cervix in a very invasive procedure that it is just to be endured. I found the entire procedure to be very distressing and traumatic. The physical pain was not a problem but the psychological distress was. The only way I managed to make it through the appointment was by completely dissociating. The nurse kept telling me repeatedly that "women go pick up their kids after this procedure" as if to tell me my concerns were not meaningful. I am really frustrated that in the year 2017 women still endure so much alienation when it comes to meeting health needs that are specific to being a woman. If anyone has any ideas on how to change this, please count me in.

Yesterday I had an experience similar to what others have detailed here. I went to get a colposcopy and several biopsies and I was told NOTHING could be give for my anxiety or the pain. NOTHING. It is completely beyond me that when a tooth is drilled it is numbed but when a piece is taken from the cervix in a very invasive procedure that it is just to be endured. I found the entire procedure to be very distressing and traumatic. The physical pain was not a problem but the psychological distress was. The only way I managed to make it through the appointment was by completely dissociating. The nurse kept telling me repeatedly that "women go pick up their kids after this procedure" as if to tell me my concerns were not meaningful. I am really frustrated that in the year 2017 women still endure so much alienation when it comes to meeting health needs that are specific to being a woman. If anyone has any ideas on how to change this, please count me in.

There are many risks to general anesthetics....like, I might not wake up....think Michael Jackson! This is why it is not generally used for colposcopy. Colposcopy is LOOKING at the cervix, a biopsy MAY be done. Ask for an anti anxiety medication before the procedure if you are nervous about having a biopsy during colposcopy, and a paracervical block anesthetic can be used with much less risk than a general anesthetic.
This is different than a LEEP procedure which is a removal and diagnosis of abnormal tissue that has already been confirmed by biopsy. It is a small surgery and more worth the risk of a general anesthetic.

I just had two cervical biopsies, one very high up. I did not expect the excruciating pain and was not warned (if I was, I'm sure I would have been scared off which is maybe why they don't tell you). I consider myself pretty pain tolerant, I've had 2 c-sections and some really painful tooth issues. Nothing compared to this, and I felt violated as well as some of you have also noted. I screamed and almost threw up. If you have to get one, take the day off. I had to go back to work when all I wanted to do was crawl into bed in a fetal position and cry. Why they can't use a novocaine type numbing solution is beyond me.