What is colposcopy? - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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What is colposcopy?

What is colposcopy?

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What is colposcopy?

Colposcopy is a visual exam of your cervix that your physician will likely perform if you receive an abnormal result from a pap smear. Abnormal results might include the presence of HPV (human papillomavirus), cervical dysplasia (precancerous abnormal cells), cervical cancer, or squamous cells. A pap smear is not enough to diagnose the abnormal cells; it is just a screening to detect them. Therefore, more testing is required to check for or rule out HPV, precancerous lesions, or cancer. The colposcopy is usually the first follow-up exam your physician will perform.

A colposcopy is performed in your gynecologist’s office, with feet in stirrups as for a regular pelvic exam. It is painless and takes just a few minutes. The doctor will look at your cervix through the colposcope, which is a large electric microscope with a bright light that allows the gynecologist to see the cervix clearly. Abnormal areas on the cervix show up as white spots, which the doctor can then biopsy if desired to test further. Biopsy procedures that your doctor might perform during a colposcopy are the LEEP and the cone biopsy. LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, which uses an electrical current through a thin wire loop to remove a layer of your cervix. For a cone biopsy, the physician will cut a small triangle of tissue from the cervix for further testing. Biopsies will result in some bleeding, discharge, and soreness after the procedure. But a colposcopy alone causes no pain or discharge.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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Geoffrey Bowers, M.D. 834 Chestnut Street Suite 300 Philadelphia PA 19107 215-955-5000	Devin Garza, M.D. 12201 Renfert Way, STE# 215 Austin TX 78758 512 425-3830	James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074
Sherry L Neyman, M.D. Renaissance Women's Group 12201 Renfert Way Ste 200 Austin TX 78758 512-425-3875	Marshall Bovelsky, M.D. 200 Banning St Suite 320 Dover DE 19904 302-674-0223	Amie Napier, M.D. Medical City Hospital 7777 Forest Lane Suite A331 Dallas TX 75230 9725667760
Nonnie-Marie Estella, M.D. 10 Research Place Suite 520 North Chelmsford MA 01863 978-459-8300	Molly Senokozlieff, M.D. 9279 A Medical Plaza Dr. North Charleston SC 29406 843-569-2900	Charles Miller, M.D. 120 Osler Drive Suite 100 Naperville IL 60540 630-428-2229

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