Colposcopy is a simple examination that allows the doctor to see the type and area of the abnormality on your cervix. It also lets the doctor decide if you need treatment. The instrument used is called a colposcope and is really just a large magnifying glass which lets the doctor look more closely at the changes on your cervix.
It does not go inside you. For most women this is a painless examination, but some may find it a bit uncomfortable. Colposcopy can be done safely during pregnancy and will not affect delivery of your baby, nor will it affect your ability to become pregnant in the future. However, treatment is usually postponed until after the delivery of your baby.
It is not hereditary .It occurs most often in women over age 30 yrs. Women who have sex early in life, have multiple sex partners, who smoke, or have HIV and are on immunosuppresants are at increased risk for cervical cancer
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus affects skin and mucosa. There are more than 100 different types of HPV of which 20 strains cause cancer.
You are welcome to arrange for a relative or friend to come with you to the colposcopy clinic. Doctors prefer not to do a colposcopy examination when you have your period. If this is the case, please ring to make another appointment. The actual examination only takes about 15 minutes, but allow atleast one hour for the whole visit. You may wish to wear a full skirt to avoid removing all your lower clothing during the examination. Some women have a slight discharge after the examination. You may want to bring a sanitary towel, just in case.
After the examination you should feel well enough to continue with your usual routine.If you have had a biopsy, you may have a light bloodstained discharge for a few days following the procedure. This is normal and it should clear itself. It is best, however, to refrain from intercourse for up to five days to allow the biopsy site to heal.
Colposcopy defines the type and extent of the abnormal area on the cervix. The results show if you need treatment and, if so, what sort. The result of a biopsy shows how abnormal the area is. It may also indicate if further treatment is needed. The technical term used to refer to cell changes confirmed by a biopsy is cervical intra epithelial neoplasia, more commonly known as CIN.In order to make distinctions between the various states of change, doctors have developed a scale from 1 to 3 according to how many of the cells are affected.
CIN 1 means that only a third of the cells in the affected area are abnormal. These may be left to return to normal or may be treated, depending on your doctor’s opinion.
CIN 2 means that up to two-thirds of the cells in the affected area are abnormal. Treatment will usually be needed to return the cells to normal.
CIN 3 means that all the cells in the affected area are abnormal. Treatment will be needed to return the cells to normal.Only very rarely will a biopsy show cell changes that have already developed into cancer. Surgery and more extensive treatments are generally used to treat cervical cancer.
Some clinics carry out treatment at your first visit to the colposcopy clinic. This is not the case with this clinic, and doctor will carry out treatment on your following visit. Treatment usually takes place during another colposcopy and the procedure is very similar to your initial examination.
You will receive information about the treatment prior to the same. There are several equally effective methods available to treat CIN. The aim of all methods of treatment is todestroy all the cells affected by CIN, with the minimum of disruption to normal tissue. The choice of treatment will depend on your particular case, on the preference of the doctor doing the colposcopy, and on the methods available at the clinic. You can be treated for most abnormalities as day surgery and so you will not need to stay in hospital. Treatment is nearly always 100 percent successful and it is unlikely that CIN will recur.
If treatment was given following colposcopy you may have a bloodstained discharge for two to four weeks.
During this time,and when you have your period,you will need to use sanitary towels rather than tampons.It is also best to avoid heavy exercise and not to have sexual intercourse.These measures allow the cervix to heal as quickly as possible.Treatment for CIN will have little or no effect on your future fertility, nor on your risk of having a miscarriage.
Yes.It is important to keep your appointments to make sure that your cervix is still healthy. You will need a follow up check between four and six months after the examination or treatment. During this visit the doctor will take a cervical screening test and may do another colposcopy examination to make sure that the cervix is healthy again. You may have another follow up check six months later. This visit will be similar to the previous one.If everything is satisfactory after your treatment and follow up test(s) you are usually advised to have screening carried out every year by your colposcopist for up to ten years, depending on the CIN you were treated for.
If you have any further questionsregarding your condition or treatment, do not hesitate to phone the colposcopy service. We will be happy to help you.
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