A colposcopy is an examination which is recommended after a positive or abnormal Pap smear result or HPV infection, also if it was found that the cervix has cervical erosion or a lesion apparent to the naked eye and causing symptoms.

Colposcopy is a simple, 10- to 15-minute procedure that is painless and performed in our  office. The  position for the examination is like taking the Pap cervical smear.  An acetic acid (such as common table vinegar) and 10% Lugol’s iodine is placed on the cervix.

The colposcope which is a mobile electric microscope that is positioned approximately 30 cm from the vagina to view the cervix.

During this procedure, the areas of the cervix where light does not pass through the abnormal cervical changes are seen as white areas with mosaic pattern, the whiter the area, the worse the cervical abnormality/dysplasia. Abnormal vascular (blood vessel) changes are also apparent through the colposcope. Typically, the worse that the vascular changes are, the worse the abnormality/dysplasia.

When the entire abnormal area is viewed through the colposcope, a tissue sample or biopsy is taken from the whitest abnormal areas and sent to the laboratory for further evaluation. The abnormal areas can be ablated/removed. It is important to appreciate that if the abnormality is NOT TREATED, there is a chance of this to turn into full cancer in time. The treatment can be done by the following procedures :

• LEEP
• Cone Biopsy
• Microwave Diathermy