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Colposcopy – Colposcopy Exam

Colposcopy Colposcopy Exam

Colposcopy – What to Expect With Your Colposcopy Exam

A colposcopy is a procedure to examine the cervix and the tissue surrounding it. This method is used to detect cervical cancer and to treat cell abnormalities. It is a painless examination and an instrument known as colposcope is used to magnify the cervix about 15 times.

A colposcope functions as a binocular microscope that magnifies the view of the vagina, cervix, and vulvar surface. There are different light filters that are available to highlight the different aspects of the cervix. Iodine solution or acetic acid is used to improve visualization in the abnormal areas.

This checking is generally done in between your menstrual cycles and takes 10-15 minutes to complete. It is done with the patient lying on the medical table. As during a pelvic examination you will lie down with your feet raised and placed on footrests. A speculum will hold the vaginal walls apart so as to enable a better view of the inside of the vagina. This enables the cervix to be seen properly.

The doctor will examine the cervix and cleanse it with a solution. After examining the cervix the doctor will decide whether a biopsy would be required. The main aim of this method is to prevent cervical cancer through detection of precancerous lesions early on and treating them.

During the initial investigation the medical history of the patient is take including gravidity (the number of pregnancies), parity (the number of prior deliveries), contraception use, last menstrual period, allergies, earlier abnormal pap smear results, past medical history, prior cervical procedures, other medications, and smoking history. In certain cases a pregnancy test may be performed as well. The method is explained to the patient in detail and after she signs a consent form, the examination starts.

Colposcopy is undertaken when a Pap test result reveals abnormal changes in the cervix. The method provides more information about these abnormal cells. This treatment is also used to know more about other problems including

 

  • Cervicitis
  • Genital warts
  • Benign (not cancer) growths like polyps
  • Bleeding
  • Pain

At times colposcopy can be done more than once. This can also be used to know the result of a treatment.

Follow up is important after the procedure. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common infections and one of the reasons for cervical dysplasis. It is required that women be made aware of safe sex in order to reduce the risk of contracting the HPV virus. Smoking is also one of the reasons that increase the chances of developing cervical abnormalities.

If you undergo colposcopy without biopsy you should feel fine and can go about your normal routine without any problem. If you have colposcopy with biopsy your vaginal region may feel sore for a day or two. There also might be some vaginal bleeding. It is important that you follow the doctor’s advice at this time and report to him immediately any abnormality that you might notice after the Colposcopy treatment.

Read more about Colposcopy from the site to learn more.

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Posted by - December 9, 2011 at 12:44 am

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What does it mean If Your Doctor Wants to do a Colposcopy?

Colposcopy1 300x160 What does it mean If Your Doctor Wants to do a Colposcopy?

Colposcopy – What is a Colposcopy?

A colposcopy is a test where your OBGYN uses a special magnifying glass and light, a colposcope, to look directly at the vulva, vagina and cervix. This allows the doctor to see cellular changes which may be causing the pap smear test to come back abnormal.

Many abnormal Pap tests are caused by viral infections, such as HPV infection, or other types of infection like bacteria, fungi (yeast), or protozoa (Trichomonas). Abnormal pap test can also be the result of natural cervical cell changes (atrophic vaginitis) related to menopause. In some cases, untreated cervical cell changes that cause abnormal Pap tests may progress to precancerous or cancerous changes. The colposcopy will help determine if you need treatment and if so what kind of treatment will be most affective.

Colposcopy – How is it done?

Step One: Pre-Colposcopy instructions. You will be told by the doctor or nurse that for the few days before the exam to avoid vaginal intercourse. This is because seamen which stay in the body for up to 72 hours can interfere with the doctor’s ability to visualize the cervical cells. Also, if you start your period right before you are supposed to have a colposcopy it is important to call you doctor and reschedule. Menstrual bleeding will also have the same effect.

Step Two: The appointment. The day of your appointment you will sign in and get ready in the exam room just like you are having another pap smear. You will disrobe from the waist down and put on a drape.

Once you have your feet in the stirrups and are in position the doctor will insert a speculum – the curved instrument that holds the vaginal walls apart so that the doctor can see you cervix. This is exactly the same as a regular pelvic exam. Then the doctor will use a vinegar (acetic acid) or iodine (Lugol’s Solution) to make any areas of abnormal cells more visible to the eye and for the camera if the doctor has attached the camera to the colposcope.

Step Three: Abnormal Cell Biopsy. In some cases the doctor will look through the colposcope and see that there is really no problem. This means that the abnormality on the pap smear was not serious but they may recommend that you have your pap smears at more frequent intervals like every 6 months rather then a year. This will be determined by you doctor based on what is seen and your medical history.

However, if visible abnormalities look significant then your doctor may take small tissue samples directly from the abnormal areas they see. This is called a Biopsy. This can pinch and cause some discomfort – but it is important for proper diagnosis. If a biopsy is done there may be a little bleeding. A special solution (Monsel’s Liquid) or a nitrate swab may be used to stop the bleeding. If a sample is needed from inside the cervical opening then an endocervical curette will be used to take a sample of tissue from this area. Again this may cause cramping or discomfort – but it only lasts a minute.

Usually this procedure lasts about 15 minutes.

Colposcopy – Aftercare

After the colposcopy you will probably feel fine. However if you had a biopsy, you may have some vaginal soreness for a day or two. A little bleeding or discharge is normal for up to a week after a biopsy. It also may be dark in color because of the solutions used during the biopsy. Use a sanitary pads for the bleeding. Do not douche, have sex, or use tampons for one week, to allow time for your cervix to heal and avoid exercise for one day after your colposcopy.

Follow any extra instructions your doctor gives you and Call your doctor if you have:

Heavy vaginal bleeding (more than a normal menstrual period).
A fever.
Belly pain.
Bad-smelling vaginal discharge.

Although colposcopy and cervical biopsy are very safe, there are always small risks of infection or bleeding so be aware of how you feel and any symptoms.

The Results – In the best case the doctor will not see any areas of abnormal cells during you test and you will not have to receive treatment.

The abnormalities seen during the test sores, genital warts or an infection, may be found in or around the vagina or cervix. If this is the case your doctor may prescribe medicine for you or other course of treatment.

If precancerous or cancerous cells are detected then you may need further colposcopy-related procedures to remove these cells so that they do not spread causing more serious health issues.

 

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Posted by - December 5, 2011 at 3:38 pm

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Information You Should Know about Colposcopy

Colposcopy2 Information You Should Know about Colposcopy

Colposcopy – What is a Colposcopy?

If you have ever had an abnormal pap smear, you may have heard the word Colposcopy being used as a treatment. However, not all abnormal pap smears require this procedure. A colposcopy is a method of examining the cervix and tissue surrounding it. This procedure may be necessary to detect early cervical cancer and treatment for cell abnormalities.

If you were advised to have a colposcopy due to an abnormal pap smear you may want to know what you are getting yourself into. The colposcopy procedure is a painless examination of the cervix and vagina. An instrument, called a colposcope, magnifies the cervix about 15 times. The colposcope allows the doctor to carefully examine the cervix to check for abnormalities. Your need for a colposcopy means that your cervix needs a special examination based on what abnormality you have.

Colposcopy – How is a Colposcopy Done?

This exam is usually done in between your menstrual periods and generally only takes 10-15 minutes to complete. The colposcopy is done in the same position as a pap smear with the patient lying back on a medical table. The doctor will explain the procedure and will look at the cervix and then cleanse the cervix with a solution. The colposcope is used from outside the vagina at a short distance. The time spent on the colposcopy is used looking through the colposcope for abnormalities. The doctor will then decide if a biopsy of the cervix is needed.

Colposcopy – After the Colposcopy:

There are a few instructions to follow if you had a biopsy taken from your colposcopy procedure. You may want to avoid intercourse for a few days while your cervix heals. You may use a tampon, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Continue taking medications as usual.

The Results:

Based on your results from the cervical biopsy, further treatment may be necessary. Your results may come back showing the same results as your abnormal pap smear. In this case, you may be asked to repeat a pap smear every 6 months to a year to monitor your improvement. Colposcopy is only required to do once but your doctor might think otherwise, so please check with your doctor to plan your course of treatment.

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Posted by - December 1, 2011 at 9:13 am

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