What is a colposcopy?
Colposcopy is a way to get a close-up look at your cervix. It’s a quick and easy way to find cell changes in your cervix that may turn into cancer.
What’s a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a type of cervical cancer test. It lets your doctor or nurse get a close-up look at your cervix — the opening to your uterus. It’s used to find abnormal cells in your cervix.
What happens during a colposcopy and biopsy?
You’ll lie down on an exam table like you would for a pelvic exam. The doctor or nurse will put a speculum into your vagina and open it. This separates the walls of your vagina so they can get a really good look at your cervix.
They’ll wash your cervix with a vinegar-like solution. This makes it easier to see abnormal cells. Next they’ll look at your cervix through a colposcope — an instrument that looks like binoculars on a stand with a bright light. The colposcope doesn’t touch you or go inside you.
If your doctor or nurse sees something that doesn’t look normal, they’ll do a biopsy. This means they’ll take a tiny sample of tissue and send it to a lab.
There are 2 types of biopsies: One takes tissue from outside your cervix. The other takes tissue from inside the opening of your cervix. Sometimes you need more than one biopsy.
A colposcopy and biopsy only takes about 5-10 minutes.
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.
If you get a biopsy, you might have some discomfort. Most people describe it feeling like a sharp pinch or a period cramp. You might have a little spotting, bleeding, or dark discharge from your vagina for a few days after a biopsy.
What should I know before my appointment?
You don't have to do much to prepare for a colposcopy. Here are 2 things you can do to make things easier:
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Schedule your colposcopy for when you won’t have your period or when the bleeding is light. That makes it easier to see your cervix.
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Don’t have vaginal sex or put anything in your vagina (like fingers or sex toys) the day before your appointment.
Where can I get a colposcopy?
You can get a colposcopy at your doctor or nurse’s office, some community health clinics, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.