What Happens During a Colposcopy Appointment?

Colposcopy is a procedure that allows doctors to examine your cervix more closely. A professionally trained nurse or doctor known as a 'colposcopist' performs the procedure at a hospital or neighborhood clinic. It normally takes between 10 and 20 minutes, but it may take longer, depending on what happens during your session.

You may be concerned about undergoing a colposcopy, especially if you are unsure what to anticipate. Let’s go over each phase of the appointment.

What Happens During a Colposcopy Appointment?

Your colposcopist will invite you into the exam room. They will explain why you are invited and what will happen. They may also ask about your medical history. This is to help with the exam. You can utilize this time to ask questions and discuss anything that will help you perform better in the colposcopy exam.

You will have a private room to undress from the waist down. You will also be provided a paper towel or sheet to cover yourself with. Your colposcopist will have you recline on an examination bed. It will feature comfortable supports for you to rest your legs or feet on. In some clinics, you may be able to see the examination on a screen next to the bed.

When you are ready, your colposcopist will insert a new, clean speculum into your vagina. A speculum is a plastic or metal tube that opens. It allows your colposcopist to see your cervix clearly. To examine your cervix more closely, your colposcopist will use a microscope on a stand with a light. This is known as a 'colposcope'. It remains outside your body.

Liquid testing

Your colposcopist will usually apply some fluids to your cervix. This helps to identify any regions where there may be cell alterations.

They may employ a variety of liquids. They are:

• Acetic acid (also called weak vinegar) – your colposcopist will apply a small amount to your cervix with a cotton wool ball or a spray. It can highlight cell alterations by making them white. You might feel some stinging;

• Iodine – Your colposcopist may apply a liquid called iodine solution to your cervix. It stains normal cervical tissue a dark brown. Cell changes may not stain, allowing the colposcopist to view them. This is sometimes known as 'Schiller's iodine test.'

Taking a biopsy

Your colposcopist may obtain a sample of tissue from your cervix. This sample, smaller than a grain of rice, is known as a 'punch biopsy.' Sometimes, it is simply referred to as a 'biopsy.'

If you require a biopsy, your colposcopist will explain it to you before you undergo it. Some individuals find it uncomfortable, but it shouldn't hurt. Remember, you have control; if it hurts, you may tell the colposcopist to stop.

If you are apprehensive about getting a biopsy, you can occasionally have the area numbed (local anesthesia). It may also be possible to fall unconscious (general anesthesia). If this makes you feel more at ease, contact your hospital or clinic prior to your appointment. They will discuss the choices with you.

Your colposcopist may take more than one biopsy. This is to ensure that they get enough tissue from various parts of your cervix. They then submit the tissue to a lab for analysis.

At the End of your Colposcopy Appointment

Following the colposcopy exam, the doctor will ask if you feel fine and if you have any questions. They will also advise you about what to expect following your session. This should contain contact information for the hospital or clinic in case you have any queries later.

Your colposcopist may be able to tell you immediately whether they discovered anything. However, they may need to wait for your biopsy results in a laboratory. They can tell you when to expect your results.