A colposcopy is done when a Pap test shows changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. It provides more information about the abnormal cells. Colposcopy is a way of looking at the cervix through a special magnifying device called a colposcope. It shines a light into the vagina and onto the cervix. A colposcope can enlarge the normal view by 2-60 times. This allows our providers to find problems that cannot be seen by the eye alone.
This simple exam takes only minutes and can be completed in the comfort of our office. You will lie on your back with your feet raised and placed on foot rests for support. A seculum will be used to spread the vaginal walls so the inside of the vagina and cervix can be visualized. Your provider wil then use a colposcope, which sits outside the body and provides a magnified view of the cervix and genital tract, to look at changes on the surface of the cervix. A solution to highlight abnormal cells will be applied to the cervix with a cotton swab.
As with Pap tests, colcoscopies may be repeated to check your cervix over time.
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