Unknown Facts You Must Know About Colposcopy

Unknown Facts You Must Know About Colposcopy While undergoing cervical or vaginal exam, doctor suggests colposcopy!

Sometimes it accompanies with Pap smear and biopsy. It clarifies the gynaecologoist regarding the health of vulva, vagina and cervix. This blog lets you know some facts of the examination before you make an appointment.

What is colposcopy and why you should undergo it?

Colposcopy is the process of finding abnormal or cancerous cells present there in vulva, vagina and cervix. Colposcope searches for health issues like noncancerous growths (polyps) and genital warts.

Gynaecologist will look upon to these precancerous tissues in vulva, vagina and cervix. It helps the doctor to get magnified view of tissues.

In what ways colposcopy is different from that of the Pap test?

Pap test or Pap smear is all about collection of cervical cells specimen to test for the changes resulting cervical cancer. In case there are any abnormal cells with positive HPV result then colposcopy will definitely confirm to diagnose the potential problems. Remember, HPV and HIV is viral infection increasing the risk of several cancers comprising of vulvar, vaginal and cervical cancer.

What takes place at the time of colposcopy?

Gynaecologist can carry out the colposcopy at the clinic. For the test you have to lie down on the table by placing the heels at the stirrups. Then they will use speculum for opening the vagina and test inside. They do so by obtaining clear picture of vulva, vagina and cervix.

But to ensure the cleanliness they use iodine or vinegar solution for cleaning the areas and obtain better view of the unusual spots. The colposcope will place in between the legs and near to vagina. However it never inserts inside the vagina.

What will the doctor do in case abnormal spot gets detected during the test?

At the time of colposcopy, biopsy is sometimes necessary to exam the unhealthy spots extensively.

Biopsy involve removal of little tissue amount by the pathologist to analyse in the lab. Pathologist can easily detect the infected cells by observing the tissue samples closely under the microscope.

If it detects precancerous and cancerous tissues then only biopsy can make the diagnosis. Biopsy is of various kinds depending on the spot to check for!

For example, pinching off small suspicious spots is for checking the cervical tissues condition through biopsy. There is another endocervical curettage biopsy for checking the spot of the unclear cervix. Certain biopsy cause menstrual cramp, discomfort and pinching feeling. Ask for biopsies which you can perform at the time of colposcopy.

What preparation should one take before Colposcopy?

On visiting the gynaecologist, you will be advised to stop using foams, powders, creams, medicines for your vagina.

Remember to stop the usage 24-48 hours beforehand the test. In the meantime, don’t indulge in any sexual activities or use tampons and other devices in the vagina.

At the time of the colposcopy you must share the information of pregnancy with the gynaecologist if there is any. Ask the doctor whether you can take any

OTC (over-the-counter) pain medicines if you have to undergo colposcopy prior to the screening.

Will you face any potential side effects from colposcopy?

Colposcopy never causes any direct side effects. But after doing biopsy at the time of colposcopy you can experience dark and unusual vaginal discharge for a couple of days.

Actually it occurs due to the use of the solution for lessening the bleeding occurred at the time of biopsy.

You can experience soreness, cramping and bleeding as well. If any of the symptoms worse or don’t subside then contact with the doctor right away. Just before colposcopy avoid sex and using any devices or medications which go through medication. Before using any seek for the consent of the gynaecologist.

What will happen when you receive the biopsy result?

In case your biopsy exhibits the presence of precancerous tissues then cancer prevention is must! Your gynaecologist explains various cancer removal methods and chooses the most suitable one from that. If there is cancer then you should begin the treatment on an earliest note.

But before that, gynaecologist will perform more tests for confirmation. In many cases, doctor will refer the patients to any gynaecologic oncologist who is the specialist in gynaecologic cancer. Additional colposcopies are essential to monitor the treatment and find out any other abnormalities with time.

In case you need to raise any question regarding colposcopy feel free to reach us. For more information visit here!