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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is a colposcopy?

    Related Topics
    Cancer Cervical Cancer
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    A colposcopy is a close examination of a woman's cervix (or neck of womb) using a special microscope called a colposcope. The colposcope can also be used to examine for abnormal cells in the woman's genital tract, either inside or on the outside of the vagina.   Your healthcare provider may recommend you have a colposcopy after an abnormal pap smear, or due to symptoms such as bleeding from the cervix,  Pap smears are screening tests for changes in the cells of the cervix. A colposcopy is a more accurate diagnostic test because the doctor can have closer look at the cervix to assess whether further treatment is required.  How is it done?  A speculum is inserted into the vagina, then a colposcope is placed at the entrance to the vagina.  The doctor then takes a look at the cervix through the colposcope, which magnifies the cervix 15 - 30 times.  A weak vinegar solution is then applied to the cervix.  When the cervix is painted this way, areas where there are cell changes turn white, while healthy cells stay pink   A biopsy may be performed on areas that stain white.  Iodine (a brown solution) may be applied to your cervix under a different light. During this examination healthy cells turn brown.  This may result in a brown discharge for a few days after the procedure.  You need to tell your doctor if you are allergic to iodine.Vivienne
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
     
    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
     
    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer
     

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