Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a procedure used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva with a special magnifying instrument called a colposcope. It is typically performed when cervical cancer screening results show abnormal cell changes in the cervix or when there is an HPV infection.
Colposcopy procedure is performed in the outpatient department. You will be asked to lie on a special chair with padded supports to rest your legs. A device called a speculum will be gently inserted into your vagina and opened to allow the doctor to view your cervix. The doctor will apply certain solutions to the cervix to highlight any abnormal areas. A small tissue sample, known as a biopsy, will be taken from these areas. The procedure typically takes between 5 to 15 minutes. Afterward, your doctor will discuss the results of both the colposcopy and biopsy with you.
Colposcopy can help diagnose:
1. Genital warts
2. Inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)
3. Non-cancerous growths on the cervix, such as polyps
4. Precancerous changes in the cervix tissue
5. Precancerous changes in the vaginal tissue
6. Precancerous changes in the vulvar tissue
7. Cervical cancer
8. Vaginal cancer
9. Vulvar cancer
What Happens During a Colposcopy
You will be asked to lie down in special type of chair with padded supports to rest your legs on.
A device called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina and gently opened to allow the doctor to examine your cervix.
Some solutions will be applied to the cervix to highlight the abnormal areas.
Small sample of tissue called biopsy will be taken from these areas.
The procedure usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
The results of the colposcopy and the biopsy can then be discussed with your doctor.
