Colposcopy; It is the name of the close examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva by magnifying the cervix, vagina and vulva between 4 and 40 degrees with the help of a light instrument. The name of the instrument with which this procedure is performed is called colposcope.
Who Can Perform Colposcopy?
1) In the presence of abnormal cells as a result of the smear test, colposcopy should be performed to reveal the cause.
What are abnormal smear results? ASCUS, ASC-H, LGSIL, HGSIL, HPV positivity are abnormal smear results. All of these patients should undergo colposcopy.
2) When an abnormal situation is observed during gynecological examination, a biopsy should be performed accompanied by colposcopic examination.
Colposcopic examination; It allows the clear examination of small pathologies and precancerous lesions that cannot be clearly observed with the naked eye.
The smear test is a suitable test for community screening. It is economical and can be easily applied by any healthcare personnel.
Smear test and HPV test; It is a screening test. It is still the cheapest and most effective screening test in the diagnosis of cervical cancer (cervical cancer) and precancerous lesions. The smear test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. For the definitive diagnosis of patients whose smear test results are abnormal, a biopsy must be taken from the cervix under the guidance of a colposcope.
Questions About Colposcopy
Since the colposcopy procedure is a painless procedure, patients do not need to be anesthetized with general anesthesia. p>
If a biopsy sample is taken after colposcopy, mild groin pain or cramping may occur. Vaginal medications or vaginal tampons should not be applied 24 hours before colposcopy, and sexual intercourse should not be had.
Spotting may occur for 2-3 days after colposcopy. It is normal to experience bleeding or dark vaginal discharge. Sexual intercourse and vaginal tampons should not be used for at least 1 week after the procedure.
Patients with abnormal findings as a result of the pathological examination of the biopsies taken; They can be treated with operations called conization or LEEP, or they can be monitored periodically with smear tests.
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