What happens in a Colposcopy?

Most Australian women will be used to having a pap smear test every five years. For those that have previously received abnormal pap smear test results, will know that your result be shown to have either:

• Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or a

• High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).

In both instances, the results simply mean you have abnormal cells of the cervix. Whilst cervical cancer is rare, it is important to identify and explain the anomaly.

Most times where pap smear shows abnormal cells, your GP will refer you to see a Gynaecologist to perform a colposcopy procedure.

Colposcopy is a medical examination procedure that allows the doctor to have a closer look at your vagina, the vulva and your cervix.

The procedure often lasts between 5-10 minutes. It is very similar to the pap smear test only that this time the doctor will make use of an instrument called the colposcope for the examination.

The colposcope is an instrument that can help magnify different areas of the outer parts of the female reproductive system and hence provide a more unobstructed view for the close examination.

What to expect from Colposcopy procedure

Colposcopy is an in-rooms procedure and will be done in your Gynaecologist’s rooms. You’ll be asked to lie down on your back with your legs placed on support just as you would during a pap test.

The doctor will then place a disposable speculum in your vagina. The speculum will hold the vagina walls in place to allow for easy examination. The doctor will then place the colposcope close to the vagina and flash a bright light through to provide a clear view of the vagina, the vulva and the cervix for closer examination.

Most times, your vagina will be swabbed with cotton to clear mucus and sometimes the doctor may make use of vinegar or other solutions which may cause a tingling or burning sensation after application that assist with the examination.

Colposcopy biopsy

If during the examination, your doctor finds a suspicious area of cell growth, the doctor may have to take out a piece of the area for analysis.

To collect the cells for laboratory testing, your doctor will make use of a biopsy instrument. Most times, the sample is usually obtained from the vagina or the cervix. A cervical biopsy is typically painless while vagina pain may cause mild pain and sometimes your doctor may have to apply a local anesthetic to numb the area before collecting the sample.

Sometimes you may experience slight bleeding after colposcopy from the vagina within 1 or 2 days after the session, even without a biopsy. You can make use of a pad to catch the droplets of blood, but do not use tampons.

It is also recommended that you do not have sexual intercourse within the first week of your colposcopy.

Colposcopy Results

Your results will be completed in a laboratory setting so you will need to make an appointment following the procedure to see the Gynaecologist. They will then discuss your results with you.

So, what’s next?

If you’d like to know more about the colposcopy procedure, please contact us to book an appointment with Dr Latika Cilly.