Health encyclopaedia

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How is it performed? of Colposcopy

Coloscopy is similar to a smear test, although it may take slightly longer. It is generally painless, and doesn’t require an anaesthetic. Colposcopy is usually carried out at an outpatient clinic. As with smear tests, if you would rather see a female doctor or nurse, say this when you make your appointment.

You will be asked to lie on your back on a couch with your knees drawn up and your legs apart (the same position as for a smear). Lying in this position may be slightly uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. Tell your doctor if you are unable to get into the position, and you may be able to lie on your side with your knees drawn up instead. The examination takes about 20 minutes.

The doctor will gently hold your vagina apart, using a instrument called a speculum, so that the opening of the cervix can be seen. A light is shone on the cervix and the doctor looks through the colposcope (which stays outside the body) to check for any suspicious cells. The cervix may be painted with acetic acid (white vinegar), which dehydrates abnormal cells so that they show up as white patches. An iodine based stain may also be applied to the cervix to look for other abnormal areas.

If any pre-cancerous or early cancerous cells are detected, a small sample of tissue will be removed (biopsy) from the cervix for examination under a microscope. If a biopsy is needed, you can have some local anaesthetic injected into the cervix first.

You will be able to go home straight after the colposcopy.

Sometimes a colposcopy is not sufficient to see all the abnormal cells because they go further up into the cervix. If this is the case, you may need to have a cone biopsy. This treatment removes a small cone shaped piece of tissue from the cervix, so that a larger sample can be provided for assessment.

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