Colposcopy Q & A

West Coast Women's Specialists

If you have an abnormal Pap smear or other signs of reproductive disease, you may need a colposcopy. The OB/GYNs at West Coast Women's Specialists in Bradenton, Florida, offer this procedure to examine your vagina, cervix, and vulva for signs of disease. For more information about a colposcopy, call the office and book an appointment.

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What is a Colposcopy?

During a colposcopy, your OB/GYN at West Coast Women's Specialists uses a colposcope, a special instrument that magnifies the image of your reproductive areas. It helps the doctors see if you have any suspicious cells that might turn into cancer.

Why Would I Need a Colposcopy?

You might need a colposcopy if you had an abnormal test or pelvic exam. Examples of reasons for this diagnostic intervention include:

Abnormal Pap smear
Diagnosis of genital warts
Presence of inflammation around your cervix
Precancerous changes in the tissue of the vagina, cervix, or vulva

A colposcopy may include a biopsy of tissue from your cervix or vagina if your doctor sees any suspicious cells.

What Should I Expect During a Colposcopy?

The procedure is done in the office at West Coast Women's Specialists. You position yourself on an exam table just like you do for a pelvic exam. Your OB/GYN then places a speculum in your vagina to hold the walls open. The doctor swabs away any visible mucus and may apply a vinegar solution to your cervix and vagina to highlight any irregular cells.

The colposcope, which magnifies the tissue, is positioned a few inches away from your vulva as a bright light shines into your vagina. The doctor peers through the colposcope to view your tissue.

The procedure takes just 10-20 minutes and is not painful, but you may feel a little uncomfortable during the exam and experience some tingling as the vinegar solution is applied.

What Should I Expect During Recovery from a Colposcopy?

If you had a biopsy during your procedure, you may have some restrictions on activity following your exam. If a biopsy is not necessary, you can go about all your regular activities immediately after leaving the office.

Some women have very light spotting or bleeding in the two days following a colposcopy. Avoid using a tampon, or having sexual intercourse, for the week following your colposcopy.

If your doctor recommends you get a colposcopy to further investigate suspicious vaginal or cervical cells, call the office of West Coast Women's Specialist to book an appointment.