If a biopsy has been performed, make an appointment with your doctor after the colposcopy to discuss the results and the treatment that is planned. Usually it takes one to two weeks for the doctor to get a report from the pathologist who looks at the biopsy tissue.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions. Navigation menu. Colposcopy What is colposcopy? Why is it used? Who can do colposcopy? When is colposcopy done? Your doctor may recommend that you have colposcopy if: You have a Pap smear that shows some abnormal cells. You have an irritated area on your cervix or vagina. You are having unexplained cervical or vaginal bleeding.
Your mother took diethylstilbestrol DES while she was pregnant with you. If it's obvious that you have abnormal cells in your cervix, you may be offered treatment to remove the cells immediately. Otherwise, you'll need to wait until you get your biopsy result.
If you have had a biopsy, it will be checked in a laboratory and you'll need to wait a few weeks to receive your result by post. Next, the provider will use an instrument called a colposcope to magnify cells on the cervix. The acetic acid solution reacts with components of abnormal cells, and when viewed with the colposcope, will highlight abnormal areas. The provider may choose to biopsy any abnormalities so a pathologist can examine the tissue sample.
The biopsy can cause a pinching sensation. Usually, the provider will also sample the inner cervix because this area cannot be viewed using the colposcope. This can cause moderate cramping, similar to menstrual cramps.
After the procedure, the provider will stop the bleeding with ferric subsulfate, a yellow liquid bandage, or silver nitrate. The colposcopy usually lasts about fifteen minutes.
You may experience vaginal bleeding after the colposcopy, especially if the provider performs biopsies. If the liquid bandage solution is used, you may experience brown-yellow discharge that may resemble gauze, tissue, or coffee grounds. It is important to note that this type of discharge is normal and nothing is left in the vagina. If your doctor finds a suspicious area, a small sample of tissue may be collected for laboratory testing. To collect the tissue, your doctor uses a sharp biopsy instrument to remove a small piece of tissue.
If there are multiple suspicious areas, your doctor may take multiple biopsy samples. If your doctor didn't take a biopsy sample during your colposcopy, you won't have any restrictions on your activity once your exam is complete. You may experience some spotting or very light bleeding from your vagina in the next day or two.
Use a pad to catch any blood or discharge. Avoid tampons, douching and vaginal intercourse for a week after your biopsy, or for as long as your doctor instructs you to. Before you leave your colposcopy appointment, ask your doctor when you can expect the results.
Also ask for a phone number you may call in the event you don't hear back from your doctor within a specified time. The results of your colposcopy will determine whether you'll need any further testing and treatment. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Colposcopy Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Colposcopy A trained specialist colposcopist positions the colposcope to examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for the presence of suspicious areas of tissue that might indicate cancer. Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close.
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