A Coughing Alleviates Cervical Biopsy Pain

Women who have underwent cervical biopsy know the pain and discomfort associated with the procedure. Voluntary coughing during cervical biopsies has been shown to alleviate the pain , according to a study done by investigators in Vienna Austria. Women with abnormal pap smears who subsequently underwent cervical biopsy were randomized to two strategies for pain relief. a total of 68 women ( mean age, 34years ) were assigned to group 1 who received local anesthesia ( injection of 1% lidocaine, 0.5 ml ), and the group 2, who were instructed to cough at  the precise time of the biopsy. Patients reported pain associated with speculum insertion, anesthesia injection, biopsy, and the entire procedure.
Using a 10-cm visual analog scale median rating for biopsy pain were 1.5 cm in the lidocaine group and 1.9 cm in the coughing group, showing almost comparable relief in the pain induced by cervical biopsy. the median pain scores associated with biopsies were not significantly different for the two groups. However, the mean duration of the entire procedure was shorter with forced coughing than with local anesthesia.
Despite its limitations, the study affords women with an additional way to alleviate pain should they need to undergo cervical biopsy. It may be employed even if local anesthesia has already been given for additional relief of pain and discomfort. The authors in the study noted that distraction is the likely mechanism for its benefit. It was also noted that coughing is a simple intervention with no cost and no downside.