What is a colposcopic examination?
Colposcopy (kol-POS-kuh-pee) is a procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. During colposcopy, your doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope. Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if your Pap test result is abnormal.
How painful is a colposcopy?
Does a colposcopy hurt? A colposcopy is nearly pain-free. You might feel pressure when the speculum goes in. It might also sting or burn a little when they wash your cervix with the vinegar-like solution.
What can a colposcopy detect?
A colposcopy is used to find cancerous cells or abnormal cells that can become cancerous in the cervix, vagina, or vulva. These abnormal cells are sometimes called “precancerous tissue.” A colposcopy also looks for other health conditions, such as genital warts or noncancerous growths called polyps.
Can you see HPV during colposcopy?
A colposcopy is most often used to find abnormal cells in the cervix, vagina, or vulva. It may also be used to: Check for genital warts, which may be a sign of an HPV (human papillomavirus) infection. Having HPV may put you at higher risk for developing cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer.
How long to get results from colposcopy?
Do not have sex (vaginal intercourse)
What happens after my colposcopy biopsy exam?
– Cryotherapy: abnormal cells are frozen off – LEEP: abnormal cells are removed using a thin wire loop that carries an electrical current – Laser: abnormal cells are removed using a laser – Cone biopsy: a cone-shaped wedge is cut out of your cervix to remove the abnormal cells
Why do I need a colposcopy-directed biopsy?
Colposcopy – directed biopsy A colposcopy is a special way of looking at the cervix. It uses a light and a low-powered microscope to make the cervix appear much larger. This helps your health care provider find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix.
What happens after a colposcopy and biopsy?
The colposcopist will usually be able to tell straight away if there are abnormal cells in your cervix. Biopsy results usually take about 4 weeks and a copy will be sent to both you and your GP in the post. About 4 out of 10 women who have a colposcopy have a normal result.