Colposcopy - directed biopsy

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Uterus

A colposcopy is a special way of looking at the cervix. It uses a light and a low-powered microscope to make the cervix appear much larger. This helps your health care provider find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix.

Biopsy - colposcopy - directed; Biopsy - cervix - colposcopy; Endocervical curettage; ECC; Cervical punch biopsy; Biopsy - cervical punch; Cervical biopsy

You will lie on a table and place your feet in stirrups to position your pelvis for examination. The health care provider will insert an instrument (speculum) into your vagina to open the vaginal walls and examine the cervix.

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The cervix and vagina are gently swabbed with dilute vinegar (acetic acid). This removes the mucus that covers the surface and highlights abnormal areas. Sometime an iodine-based solution (Lugol's) similar to solutions used for cleaning skin may also be swabbed on the cervix and vagina.

The health care provider will place the colposcope at the opening of the vagina and examine the area. Photographs may be taken. The colposcope does not touch you.

If any areas look abnormal, a small sample of the tissue will be removed (biopsy) using small biopsy forceps. Many samples may be taken, depending on the size and location of the area. Sometimes a tissue sample from inside the cervix is removed. This is called endocervical curettage (ECC).

There is no special preparation. You may be more comfortable if you empty your bladder and bowel before the procedure.

You should not douche, place any products into the vagina, or have sexual intercourse for 24 hours before the exam. You should not be menstruating heavily. However, if you are at the very end or beginning of your regular period or you are having abnormal bleeding, you should still keep your appointment.

You may be able to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) before the colposcopy. Ask your doctor if this is okay, and when and how much you should take.