A special magnifying device with a light, called a colposcope, is used to visually examine the cervix and vagina.
Colposcopy is usually done when a:
This procedure can be used to:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have colposcopy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
In the 24 hours leading up to the procedure, your doctor may advise you to avoid:
Usually no anesthesia is needed. In certain cases, the cervix may be numbed with a local anesthetic.
You will lie on your back with your feet in foot rests. The doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina. The vaginal walls will be spread apart to see the inside of the vagina and the cervix. The doctor will place the colposcope at the opening of the vagina. Then, the doctor will wipe the cervix with a solution. The solution will make abnormal areas easier to see. The cervix and vagina will be examined closely with the colposcope. The doctor may use a long tool to take a sample of tissue from the cervix or vaginal wall.
About 5-10 minutes
This procedure is usually painless. If a biopsy is taken, you may feel a slight pinch and mild cramping.
When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Results from a biopsy should be ready in about one week. The results will determine whether you need further testing or treatment.
RESOURCES
The American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Colposcopy . Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2000.
Colposcopy. National Women’s Health Information Center website. Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/colposcopy.htm . Accessed March 16, 2004.
Colposcopy: patient information. Louisiana State University Health Science Center website. Available at: http://lib-sh.lsumc.edu/fammed/pted/colpopre.html . Accessed March 16, 2004.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Ganson Purcell, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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