Colposcopy
OBGYN serving Marina Del Rey, Hawthorne, South Gate and Carson, CA and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area
If you have unusual symptoms of a gynecological problem, further exploration is vital. At Marina OB/GYN in Marina Del Rey, Hawthorne, South Gate, and Carson, California, the skilled practitioners offer colposcopies to examine your cervix and intimate areas and look for signs of potential women’s health issues. Call the Marina OB/GYN office or use the online booking feature today to determine if a colposcopy is right for you.
A colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure your provider may use if you’ve had an abnormal Pap smear, a screening procedure that detects signs of cervical cancer in women. During a colposcopy, they use special instruments to closely examine your vagina, vulva, and cervix and take a tissue sample for lab analysis when needed.
Some of the conditions a colposcopy helps your provider diagnose include:
They may suggest you undergo a colonoscopy if a pelvic exam or Pap test shows alarming abnormalities that need further exploration.
To get ready for a colposcopy, it’s important to follow your provider’s instructions. Avoid scheduling the procedure during your period, and don’t have vaginal intercourse or use tampons a day or two before your appointment. Stop taking certain medications and take an over-the-counter pain reliever before the procedure if your specialist asks you to.
During a colposcopy, you lie on your back on a comfortable exam table and place your feet in stirrups, as you do during a Pap test. Your specialist places a speculum instrument into your vagina to hold it open while using a lighted colposcope to get an in-depth view of your vagina and cervix.
They swab your cervix and vagina and may apply a special solution to it to highlight suspicious cells. If necessary, your specialist takes a biopsy of abnormal cells for laboratory analysis. A colposcopy procedure often lasts about 10-20 minutes.
After you undergo a colposcopy, your Marina OB/GYN specialist reviews the results with you. You may have light vaginal bleeding for a day or two or tenderness after a biopsy. Avoid tampons, vaginal intercourse, and douching for about a week or as instructed by your provider.
The results of the colposcopy determine if you need further diagnostic testing or treatment. Your specialist discusses your options with you to find one that matches your needs.
To find out if you need a colposcopy, call the Marina OB/GYN office or use the online scheduler today.