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Colposcopy is a test that allows a woman’s cervix, vagina and vulva to be carefully examined. The tool used for this is the colposcope, which magnifies the normal view, allowing the doctor to see changes in the area of the woman’s reproductive organs that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Read how to prepare for the test and what it is about.
Colposcopy – what is this test?
Colposcopy is a simple examination of the cervix using a colposcope (a type of magnifying glass). It allows your doctor or qualified nurse to look more closely at the changes in your cervix and determine if you need treatment.
The test is similar to screening and therefore some women may experience slight discomfort. Colposcopy can be performed safely during pregnancy. The test does not affect the delivery of the baby in any way or the possibility of a further pregnancy.
Colposcopy is used to monitor for abnormal cervical cancer screening (e.g. Pap smear, human papillomavirus – HPV test) or for abnormal areas visible on the cervix, vagina or vulva.
A colposcope magnifies the appearance of the cervix. 3 percent acetic acid is placed on the cervix and vagina to stain the cells and allow the doctor to better see where the abnormal cells are and the size of any abnormal areas.
The size, type, and location of the abnormal cells help determine which area or areas may need a biopsy. This information will further determine how serious the problem is as well as help determine what treatment, if any, is needed. With early monitoring and treatment, pre-cancerous areas usually do not develop into cervical cancer.
See also: Only every third Polish woman performs cytology systematically
Colposcopy – indications
The doctor will perform a colposcopy when the results of, for example, cytology, indicate abnormal growth or activity of precancerous cells. Your gynecologist may also perform a colposcopy for a more thorough examination of the cervix if there are other health problems.
Some other reasons your doctor may perform a colposcopy include:
- inflammation of the cervix or inflammation of the cervix
- the presence of genital warts,
- pain in the genital area,
- abnormal bleeding
- benign growths on the cervix, such as cervical polyps
- checking the results of treatment.
See: Is cervical cancer hereditary?
Colposcopy – how to prepare?
Before the colposcopy visit, do not use tampons, have sexual intercourse or use vaginal pessaries or ointments – at least 24 hours before the procedure.
Colposcopy can be performed at any time during the menstrual cycle, but if there is heavy vaginal bleeding on the day of your visit, then colposcopy is not recommended.
If you are taking any medications to prevent blood clots (aspirin, warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel), please inform your doctor in advance. These drugs can increase bleeding if you had a biopsy during your colposcopy.
If you know or think you may be pregnant, please inform your doctor. Colposcopy is safe during pregnancy, although cervical biopsy is omitted during pregnancy.
The editorial board recommends: Cervical Dysplasia – Comprehensive information on ailments
Colposcopy – risks and side effects
The risk of colposcopy is very small. You may experience some discomfort as the speculum is inserted into your vagina, and the acetic acid solution may cause a slight stinging.
A biopsy is also a safe procedure. You may feel a pinch as you take a tissue sample. After surgery, your vagina may be sore for a day or two. There may be cramps and light bleeding. It’s normal to have some slight bleeding and discharge for a week after the biopsy.
However, if the following symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible:
- profuse vaginal bleeding
- vaginal bleeding for more than seven days
- unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge,
- pelvic pain or cramps that do not go away after taking painkillers
- temperature higher than 38 ° C.
Colposcopy – the course of the examination
Colposcopy involves a speculum examination of the vulva, vagina, the surface of the cervix and the bottom of the uterine canal. For this, a colposcope is used; it is an optical device with a magnification of two to fifty times. However, the first step is to insert a vaginal speculum to view the organs.
The colposcope is only zoomed in; it is not, contrary to popular myth, put inside. After the mucus is examined, it is removed with physiological fluid, which allows the cervical epithelium to be assessed. The cervix is then washed with 3 percent acetic acid to identify any missed epithelial lesions. The concordance of the test is enhanced by washing the cervix with Lugol’s solution.
In the event of a pathological change, the gynecologist may immediately take the tissue for histopathological examination. The whole examination, although it may be unpleasant in some cases, is non-invasive and painless, and its duration is up to several minutes; the test results are reported on site.
The results are divided into four groups: the first group consists of normal colposcopic images; group two – incorrect images; the third group – unclear images, and the fourth group – images that do not fit into the other three groups.