Why is anesthetic not routinely used during a cervical biopsy?

I had a cervical biopsy done 6 days ago, a pinch, gee it was the most painful thing I have experienced and I have given birth twice, several piercings in sensitive areas so am not a whoose to pain but this made me cry and I was so traumatized, I was not at the gyno for a biopsy but she decided to do one to rule out any nasties, I have had several biopsies before on different parts of the body as well as a previous cervical one years ago plus laser and I had local anesthetic for all, so I dont know why I was not at least given the option this last time ( HORRIBLE )

I had the same procedure done. The local hurt as much as the biopsy. The Ob/Gyn who performed the procedure told me that the books he studied describing the cervical area as having very few nerve endings. I told him the book was wrong.
I am of the opinion that western medicine is extremely negatively biased in the use of invasive procedures and unecessarily painful tests on women. Can you imagine any man yearly submitting to having the head of their penis scraped for cell samples; then volunteering gladly to having a biopsy just to be certain it's not cancer? Consider the myriad invisible venereal diseases men carry! Men should be the ones REQUIRED to get samples taken!

I agree. I recently had a cervical biopsy/endocervical cauterrage (sp?) where multiple samples were taken. I do not think my doctor used any anesthetic and they mentioned "slight discomfort" when the biopsies are taken. Since I don't think my doctor is one who would recommend --much less discuss-- my feelings of "slight discomfort" from this procedure, I am more unlikely to willlingly repeat this without procuring for myself some other pain-reducing medication (ex: ibuprofen, etc.) before repeating the procedure. Is there some way to petition more doctors to provide -mandatory- anesthetics prior to this procedure?

According to numerous medical sites that describe a cervical biopsy, "the biopsy may feel like a pinch each time a tissue sample is taken." (I'm assuming you are rolling your eyes at this point!).

Depending on the sample size, some women do feel a "pinch". Other women feel more pain, but of course, this depends on many factors (doctor, patient, sample size taken, etc).

To answer your question, there are some cervical biopsies performed with an injection of anesthetic, but some women may feel this is more painful than the quick biopsy "pinch" itself. Other options for pain relief include oral pain relievers or a type of local anesthetic in the form of an ointment that can block some pain.

There are risks involved with any type of anesthetic, and this is a procedure (depending on many variables) where the anesthetic risks many not outweigh the benefits.

However, every woman is different, and it is important to talk with your doctor about pain relieving options before the procedure. I'm curious if your doctor did properly prepare you for the possibility of pain?

I am sorry you had a bad experience. Have you spoken with your doctor about this?