Colposcopy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A colposcopy is a procedure to look for abnormal cells inside your cervix and vagina. Your cervix is the bottom part of your uterus (womb) that joins the top part of your vagina. Your cervix is made of different types of cells and there is a small opening in the middle of your cervix. You may need a colposcopy if you have abnormal cells on a screening test, such as a Pap smear. During colposcopy, your caregiver will use a microscope with a light on it, called a colposcope. The colposcope makes your cells look larger so your caregiver may better see them.
  
  
• If your caregiver sees abnormal tissues or cells, he may do a biopsy. During a biopsy, cells are removed from your cervix or vagina and sent to a lab for testing. A biopsy may find cells with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN is a disease that may turn into cancer over time. If you have CIN, you may need to have these cells removed through surgery or another treatment. A colposcopy may show that you have abnormal cells in your cervix and vagina. It may help your caregiver decide if you need treatment and which treatment is right for you. Early treatment may prevent CIN from becoming worse and may help decrease your risk of getting cervical cancer.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• During colposcopy, you may feel pain and discomfort as the speculum is put into your vagina. After your colposcopy, you may have stomach pain. You may get an infection after the procedure. Your cervix or vagina may bleed during and after the procedure. You may have abnormal cells that are not found with colposcopy or biopsy.
  
  
• If you do not have a colposcopy, you might not know if you have abnormal cells on your cervix. You might have CIN without knowing it, and it might grow into cancer. If you have cancer and you do not receive treatment, you could die. Ask your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your colposcopy, condition, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Anesthesia: If your caregiver decides to do a biopsy of your cervix, he may give you anesthesia medicine. Anesthesia medicine will help make you comfortable during your biopsy.
  
  
  • Local anesthesia: Your caregiver may give you local anesthesia, which is a shot of medicine put into your cervix. It is used to numb the area and dull your pain. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure after you get this medicine.
    
    
  • General anesthesia: Caregivers use this medicine to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. They give you anesthesia through your IV or as a gas. You may breathe in the gas through a mask or through a breathing tube placed down your throat. The tube may cause you to have a sore throat when you wake up.
  
  
• Procedure prep: Your caregiver will ask you to lie down on your back on a table. You will bend your knees and may be asked to put your feet in special holders called stirrups. Your caregiver may have a TV-like screen that will allow you to watch your procedure as it happens.

During your procedure:

• Your caregiver inserts a tool called a speculum into your vagina. This tool widens your vagina so that your caregiver may see your cervix more clearly. The colposcope is placed just outside of your vagina and its light shines on your vagina and cervix. The colposcope shows your caregiver larger views of your vagina, cervix, and their cells. Your caregiver uses a cotton ball or swab to wipe any mucus from your cervix. He then looks for abnormal cells or tissue.
  
  
• Your caregiver puts a liquid on your cervix and waits for a short period of time. He may put the liquid on more than once. This liquid helps your caregiver see the difference between your normal and abnormal cells. If your caregiver sees abnormal tissues or cells, he will do a biopsy. During a biopsy, your caregiver removes cells from both normal and abnormal areas of your cervix. He sends these cells to a lab for testing.

After your procedure:

Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is okay. When your caregiver sees that you are okay, you may be able to go home.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.