Colposcopy
Reviewed
Also called: Colposcopy with directed biopsy, Cervical colposcopy, Vaginal colposcopy, Vulvar colposcopy
A colposcopy is a procedure to examine your cervix, vagina, and vulva. Precancer means that the cells could turn into cancer over time.
Specimen: Not applicable
Why this test may be ordered
- You had abnormal results on a Pap smear
- You have been diagnosed with HPV
- You have abnormal areas on your cervix seen during a pelvic exam
- You have bleeding after sex
- To check for genital warts, polyps, irritation, or inflammation of the cervix
Preparation and collection
Do not douche, use tampons or vaginal medicines, or have any kind of vaginal penetration for 48 hours before the test. Also, it's best to schedule your colposcopy when you are not having your menstrual period. Your provider may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before your appointment. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Colposcopy is generally safe during pregnancy, but being pregnant raises your risk of bleeding after a biopsy.
The test is usually done in the provider's office and takes 10 to 20 minutes. Your provider will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. Your provider will gently swab your cervix and vagina with a vinegar or iodine solution. If any areas of tissue look abnormal, your provider may perform a cervical, vaginal, or vulvar biopsy.
There is very little risk to having a colposcopy. You may have some discomfort when the speculum is inserted into the vagina, and the vinegar or iodine solution may sting, tingle, or burn. It's normal to have a little bleeding and discharge for up to a week after the biopsy. Serious complications from a biopsy are rare, but call your provider if you have any of the following symptoms: heavy bleeding, abdominal (belly) pain, signs of infection, such as fever, chills, and/or bad smelling vaginal discharge.
Understanding results
During your colposcopy, your provider may find one or more of the following conditions: genital warts, polyps, swelling or irritation of the cervix, abnormal tissue.
- Normal biopsy results: If your biopsy results were normal, it's unlikely that you have cells in your cervix, vagina, or vulva that are at risk for turning into cancer. Limitation: So, your provider may want to monitor you for cell changes with more frequent Pap smears and/or additional colposcopies. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- Biopsy shows precancerous cells, HPV infection, or cancer: If your provider also performed a biopsy, your results may show you have: precancerous cells in the cervix, vagina, or vulva, an HPV infection, cancer of the cervix, vagina, or vulva. Limitation: If your results show that you have precancerous cells, you may need to have a procedure to remove them. This may prevent them from developing into cancer. Next step: If your results show that you have cancer, you may be referred to a gynecologic oncologist.
- A colposcopy is a procedure, not a laboratory test; it provides a magnified view but cannot diagnose cancer without a biopsy.
- The vinegar or iodine solution may cause temporary stinging or burning.
- Biopsy results may take time to process, and false negatives are possible if abnormal areas are missed.
- Pregnancy increases the risk of bleeding after a biopsy.
- After a biopsy, you should not douche, use tampons, or have sex for a week or as advised by your provider.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- What did you see during the colposcopy?
- Was a biopsy taken, and if so, when will I get the results?
- What do my results mean for my risk of cancer?
- Do I need any follow-up tests or procedures?
- Are there any activity restrictions after the procedure?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.