Colposcopy, Cervical Biopsy · Cervix Specialist, Doctor · Gynecologist Midtown Manhattan NYC

Colposcopy

A colposcopy usually is performed by your doctor in response to an abnormal Pap smear. The purpose of the colposcopy is to allow your doctor to examine your vagina, vulva and cervix. The reasons for an abnormal Pap smear can vary greatly, but they are caused most commonly by viral infections, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV). Other types of infections might include:

• Yeast (fungi)
• Bacteria
• Protozoa (Trichomonas)

Vast majority of cervical abnormalities are caused by the HPV virus, a portion of which can be prevented by a vaccine

Abnormal Pap test results may also result from naturally occurring cervical cell changes called atrophic vaginitis that are related to menopause. If a Pap test indicates the presence of viruses, infections or cervical cells, then it’s necessary for your doctor to be able to determine the source of the problem. Left untreated, these cervical cell changes continue to grow and can lead to such serious complications as cancer.

Your gynecologist in Manhattan offers comprehensive Obstetrics & Gynecology care for women of all ages. At our obgyn clinic of we provide a full range of gynecologic services, from annual check-ups and routine pap smears to Cervical cancer screening and gyn procedures. Our state of the art gynecology NYC facility equipped with a latest obgyn equipment.

How a Colposcopy Works

It begins with another Pap smear test and an HPV test if you haven’t recently had one. You’ll be cleansed with a vinegar solution to make some types of abnormal cells visible. A lighted magnifying device that roughly resembles binoculars, called a colposcope, enables your OBGYN to see issues that could well be overlooked by the naked eye.

Your doctor may decide to take pictures or even videos of your cervix and vagina through a small camera attached to the end of the colposcope. If any suspicious or questionable areas are visible, your OBGYN can take a tissue sample (also known as a biopsy) from inside the cervix without having to perform another procedure. The samples taken from your cervix are sent to a pathologist for laboratory examination.

Three types of biopsies commonly used during colposcopy include:

• Endocervical curettage (ECC)
• Punch biopsy
• Cone biopsy

Preparing for a Colposcopy

Try to schedule your appointment for a week that you’re not on your period. Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have any allergies to medication
• Are taking medications
• Were previously treated for cervical, vaginal or pelvic infections
• Have bleeding problems or take blood thinners

During the Colposcopy Procedure in NYC

The vinegar solution your doctor uses on your cervix may feel a bit cool, but not much and not for very long. If any abnormal spots are detected and the biopsy is necessary, your doctor uses small device to snip away minute tissue samples from your cervix. Many women feel nothing from this but some due feel the amount of discomfort such as a mosquito bite up to a small bee sting.

You may feel a pinching or cramping sensation during the procedure. You may spot or bleed following a biopsy. If there is bleeding, it should only last a day or so. If the bleeding persists, call your Midtown gynecology center in Manhattan. Bleeding after colposcopy can be stopped by using a cotton swab to apply a solution to the cervix that looks like peanut butter and also helps the cervix heal faster.

Risk and Recovery

The risk of complications following a colposcopy are extremely minimal since a colposcopy is simply an examination. However, if a biopsy is necessary, there is a small risk of bleeding and infection that may require additional treatment. Cramping, light bleeding, and discharge are possible for a few days following the biopsy.

There is also a small chance that you may experience fever, chills or pelvic pain. Restricted activities will vary depending on the technique used to collect your biopsy. Using tampons and douches, lifting heavy objects and having sex after colposcopy are discouraged for several weeks following the biopsy to allow for proper healing.

Colposcopy During Pregnancy

Most people have zero pain during a colposcopy, however some experience minor discomfort

A colposcopy is performed in pregnant women to determine if there is invasive cancer. Since the procedure is more difficult in a pregnant woman due to several factors, such as increased mucus production and gland prominence, it should only be conducted by an experienced OBGYN. Talk to your doctor before the procedure, so you’re comfortable with the procedure.

Since a pregnant cervix has a tendency to bleed slightly more than someone who is not pregnant, your gynecologist may weigh the options of waiting to do certain parts of the colposcopy until you are no longer pregnant. Generally, biopsies only are performed on a pregnant woman if all the evidence points to an extreme risk of cancer or dysplasia.   Done right, a colposcopy won’t harm you if you’re pregnant, and it won’t harm your baby.

Colposcopy HPV (Detecting the Human Papillomavirus)

The main focus of a colposcopy exam is to prevent cervical cancer by detecting its warning signs early enough to treat the problems that can cause it. The HPV virus is a sexually transmitted disease with positively staggering statistics. It comprises a a group of more than 100 different viruses, 30 of which cause varying types of cancer.

The only way to avoid the virus is to abstain from direct sexual contact, oral, vaginal, or anal. HPV is also known to cause genital warts that appear in batches that resemble cauliflower on the inside and outside of your vagina. It could take weeks, months, or years for symptoms to appear. In some cases, visible symptoms never manifest. HPV is not tested for in men. There is no cure for HPV but there is a vaccine that helps prevent several strains of HPV, and your body sometimes is able to clear the virus from your system naturally.

Colposcopy for Endometriosis

In endometriosis, the lining of your womb grows in different places — such as on your ovaries, your fallopian tubes, behind your uterus, or on your bowels or bladder. In some rare cases, the tissue has been found to occur in other parts of the body.

It’s known to occur in an estimated six to 10 percent of women. These areas of growth can bleed and result in swelling and scarring. These growths are not cancerous, however, and can be diagnosed through a combination of symptoms and medical exams.

In many cases, your doctor is able to tell immediately if abnormal growths or areas are visible on your cervix. If a biopsy is performed, it only takes days to get the results. Your doctor may recommend additional testing depending on your results. You may have to wait until your cervix has healed from the initial biopsy before these tests can be conducted.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not definitive medical advice. Please consult ob/gyn doctor about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced gynecologist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Have questions about Colposcopy procedure? Schedule an appointment with internationally recognized, top rated GYN specialist, Dr. Fernando Mariz of Manhattan Women’s Health and Wellness, today.

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