Colposcopy – All you need to know
Colposcopy is a medical procedure where a certified doctor, primarily a gynecologist, uses a colposcope to thoroughly examine your cervix, vagina, or vulva. They check for abnormal cells in or near your vagina that can be cancerous. Once the pre-cancerous tissues are identified, the doctor can proceed with the right treatment. A colposcopy can also help detect other health conditions such as genital warts or polyps. If you have noticed changes in your body or discomfort in your genitals, then we are here to ease your troubles. Read ahead to learn more about in-office procedures Lake Mary like colposcopy:
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a medical procedure where you can diagnose any precancerous or cancerous cells developing in your genitals. The doctor examines your vulva, cervix, and vagina to look for abnormal cells and other health conditions.
How is colposcopy done?
Colposcopy is done using a special instrument called a colposcope. The instrument is placed near the patient’s body. Unlike other genital examination procedures, a colposcope won’t be inserted in your body, thus is not an uncomfortable procedure. Once you go through the test, you can go through a colposcopy to diagnose the special condition for better treatment.
What happens after a colposcopy?
The colposcopy procedure involves a biopsy of unhealthy areas. If you have abnormal cells in your cervix, vagina, or vulva, the doctor will perform a biopsy by removing a small amount of tissue. The tissues will be collected and sent to the pathologist for further examination.
How painful is colposcopy?
Colposcopy is not a painful procedure unless you have a biopsy. A biopsy may cause a little discomfort and pinching when the tissue is being removed for testing. After the biopsy, there may be some brown vaginal discharge due to the solution the doctors use to reduce bleeding while performing a biopsy.
These are a few tips that will help you in understanding the process of colposcopy better. However, remember that although there are no major side effects, be watchful for heavy bleeding, pain, fever or discomfort after the procedure. You may need to brace yourself for the outcome of the procedure, and if the doctor diagnoses cancer you’ll have to go through major medical treatments. An oncologist will help in the further medical procedure and treating the cancer. They may perform surgery to remove the cancer cells or chemotherapy if your cells have severely spread. To conclude, you can rely on the colposcopy procedure for better identification of your genital health.