What is colposcopy?
Colposcopy is a simple medical diagnostic procedure done in a gynecological practice by a certified OB/GEN physician in the American college of obstetricians and gynecologists for detailed examination of cervical and vaginal epithelium and sub epithelial vasculature if your cervical screening (pap smear) reveals abnormal cells so the colposcope is used to determine whether these cells are precancerous or if it’s a simple condition like polyps or cysts and may aid in their treatment using various excisional methods .
A colposcope is a low power binocular microscope with bright illumination and magnification of ×5:40 times that provides your doctor with a better look into the cells of the cervix and vagina to identify any sort of dysplasia as (dyskaryosis , increased mitotic figures, pleomorphism in shape , size and staining characteristics of the cells )
It also provides higher magnification and green light to evaluate the different vascular patterns of the sub epithelial vasculature that supplies the cervix to diagnose any abnormal vasculature that indicating the presence of malignancy.
› There are special colposcopies used for the examination of rape and sexual assault victims.
Why you need colposcopy?
Colposcopy may be indicated to be done by your physician in case of :
- Abnormal cells in your pap smear.
- A suspicious lesion in the cervix.
- If you test positive for HPV (human papillomavirus) also called Genital warts .
- To identify the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding (post sexual intercourse bleeding).
- To check an abnormal looking cervix during a pelvic exam.
- To obtain a biopsy for definitive diagnosis of CIN.
- For follow up after conservative treatment of CIN.
