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.

Getting Ready

Before your procedure:

• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Your caregiver will ask you about your health history. He will ask you if you have bleeding problems now or have had them in the past. He will ask you if you are taking any medicines, including birth control pills. Tell your caregiver if you have an infection or disease in your vagina. Always tell your caregiver if you know or think you may be pregnant. Also tell your caregiver if you have ever given birth.
  
  
• Your caregiver may test your blood or urine to see if you are pregnant. He also may check your blood for human papilloma virus (HPV). Ask your caregiver for more information about tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The day of your procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.

Treatment

What will happen:

• 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. Your caregiver will insert a tool called a speculum into your vagina. This tool will widen your vagina so that he may see your cervix more clearly.
  
  
• The colposcope is placed just outside of your vagina. Your caregiver will use a cotton ball or swab to wipe any mucus from your cervix. Your caregiver will put a liquid on your cervix. 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. If you have a biopsy, you may be given anesthesia medicine to make you comfortable. During a biopsy, your caregiver will remove cells from both normal and abnormal areas of your cervix. He will send 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.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your colposcopy on time.
  
  
• You have a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• You have your monthly period.

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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.