Our services
Colposcopy
Overview
A closer look at your cervix, so you can have clear answers and start treatment early if needed. Getting abnormal results from a Pap smear or routine pelvic exam can cause uncertainty at best and fear at worst. A colposcopy from the team at Minerva Women's Healthcare helps you know what is happening with your reproductive health, and start treatment early if it is needed. Learn more about how colposcopy is used as a diagnostic procedure by scheduling your appointment by phone or online today.
At a glance
- A colposcopy is a short, in-clinic procedure that gives a magnified view of your cervix.
- It is usually advised after an abnormal Pap smear, HPV test or pelvic exam.
- If anything looks abnormal, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken for laboratory testing.
- An abnormal result does not mean you have cancer. Finding changes early gives you the best chance of successful treatment.
- Most women go home the same day and return to normal activities quickly.
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is an in-office procedure your doctor uses to examine your cervix carefully. The cervix is at the top of the vagina and leads into the uterus.
A colposcopy goes beyond a standard pelvic exam. Your doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope, which works like a microscope on a stand and stays outside your body. A bright light is directed at your cervix while your doctor looks through the eyepieces. If any area looks abnormal, your doctor takes a small biopsy of the tissue and sends it to the laboratory for testing.
Why might I need a colposcopy?
We may advise a colposcopy if your Pap smear, HPV test or pelvic exam shows something unusual. During the procedure, your doctor looks for signs of:
- Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
- Genital warts
- Precancerous changes of the cervix, vagina or vulva
- Cancer of the cervix, vagina or vulva
If you have been asked to have a colposcopy, please do not be afraid. Finding these conditions early gives you the best chance of successful treatment. In many cases, we can find and treat precancerous cells before cancer develops.
How should I prepare?
Your doctor will give you a full set of instructions. We usually recommend that you:
- Book your appointment when you are not on your period
- Avoid tampons for one or two days before
- Avoid sex, and avoid vaginal creams, medicines and douches, for one or two days before
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever beforehand, if your doctor advises it
- Let us know if you are or might be pregnant, or are taking blood thinners
If you have any questions about what to expect, ask your doctor before the procedure.
What happens during a colposcopy?
You lie on the examination table, as for a Pap smear. Your doctor gently places a speculum in the vagina to open it so the cervix can be seen. They may wipe your cervix with a vinegar-like solution, which makes abnormal areas easier to see. This may cause a brief stinging or burning feeling. Your doctor then examines your cervix through the colposcope. If anything looks abnormal, they take one or more small biopsy samples. The procedure usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
Does it hurt?
The colposcopy itself does not hurt. The speculum can feel uncomfortable because it presses on the vaginal walls, although many women find it does not hurt at all. If you have a biopsy, you may feel a brief pinch or cramping. Tell us at any time if you are uncomfortable, and we will pause or adjust.
What happens afterwards?
Most women can return to normal activities the same day. After a biopsy, you may have:
- Mild cramping
- Light spotting or a dark discharge for a few days
For about a week, or as advised, avoid tampons, sex and putting anything in the vagina, to let the area heal. Contact us if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever or foul-smelling discharge.
Your biopsy results usually come back within a few weeks. We will explain your results and, if needed, discuss treatment, such as removal of abnormal cells with a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), or monitoring.
Common questions
Does needing a colposcopy mean I have cancer?
No. Most women who have a colposcopy do not have cancer. It is a follow-up test to find out why your screening result was abnormal.
Is a colposcopy safe in pregnancy?
Yes, a colposcopy can be done during pregnancy, although biopsies are done only when necessary. Please tell us if you are pregnant.
Can I go to work afterwards?
Usually yes.
What if my biopsy is abnormal?
Your doctor will explain the result and the options. Many changes can be treated simply, and early treatment is very effective.
Ready to book your colposcopy?
To learn more or to schedule a colposcopy, call Minerva Women's Healthcare or book your appointment online. It takes about a minute, and no account is needed.
