Colposcopy - Directed Biopsy

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.

Alternative Names

Biopsy - colposcopy - directed; Biopsy - cervix - colposcopy; Endocervical curettage; ECC; Cervical punch biopsy; Biopsy - cervical punch; Cervical biopsy; Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - colposcopy; CIN - colposcopy; Precancerous changes of the cervix - colposcopy; Cervical cancer - colposcopy; Squamous intraepithelial lesion - colposcopy; LSIL - colposcopy; HSIL - colposcopy; Low-grade colposcopy; High-grade colposcopy; Carcinoma in situ - colposcopy; CIS - colposcopy; ASCUS - colposcopy; Atypical glandular cells - colposcopy; AGUS - colposcopy; Atypical squamous cells - colposcopy; Pap smear - colposcopy; HPV - colposcopy; Human papilloma virus - colposcopy; Cervix - colposcopy; Colposcopy

How the Test is Performed

You will lie on a table and place your feet in stirrups, just like you would do for a pelvic exam. The provider will place an instrument (called a speculum) into your vagina. This allows your provider to better see the cervix.

The cervix and vagina are gently swabbed with a vinegar or iodine solution. This removes the mucus that covers the surface and highlights abnormal areas.

The 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 using small biopsy tools. Many samples may be taken. Sometimes a tissue sample from inside the cervix is removed. This is called endocervical curettage (ECC).

Open Article Detail

How to Prepare for the Test

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

Before the exam:

DO NOT douche (this is never recommended).
DO NOT place any products into the vagina.
DO NOT have sex for 24 hours before the exam.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant or could be pregnant

This test should not be done during a heavy period, unless it is abnormal. Keep your appointment if you are:

At the very end or beginning of your regular period
Having abnormal bleeding

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

How the Test will Feel

You may have some discomfort when the speculum is placed inside the vagina. It may be more uncomfortable than a regular Pap test.

Some women feel a slight sting from the cleansing solution.
You may feel a pinch or cramp each time a tissue sample is taken.
You may have some cramping or slight bleeding after the biopsy.
Heavy bleeding is unusual; if you have bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, call your provider.
DO NOT use tampons or put anything in the vagina for several days after a biopsy.

Some women may hold their breath during pelvic procedures because they expect pain. Slow, regular breathing will help you relax and relieve pain. Ask your provider about bringing a support person with you if that will help.

You may have some bleeding after the biopsy, for up to 1 week.

You should not douche, place tampons or creams into the vagina, or have sex for up to a week afterward. Ask your provider how long you should wait.
You can use sanitary pads.

Why the Test is Performed

Colposcopy is done to detect cervical cancer and changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

It is most often done when you have had an abnormal Pap smear. It may also be recommended if you have bleeding after sexual intercourse.

Colposcopy may also be done when your provider sees abnormal areas on your cervix during a pelvic exam. These may include:

Any abnormal growth on the cervix, or elsewhere in the vagina
Genital warts or HPV
Irritation or inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)

The colposcopy may be used to keep track of HPV, and to look for abnormal changes that can come back after treatment.

Normal Results

A smooth, pink surface of the cervix is normal.

If the colposcopy or biopsy does not show why the Pap smear was abnormal, your provider may suggest that you have a cold knife cone biopsy.

A specialist called a pathologist will examine the tissue sample from the cervical biopsy and send a report to your doctor. Biopsy results most often take 1 to 2 weeks. A normal result means there is no cancer and no abnormal changes were seen.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Your provider should be able to tell you if anything abnormal was seen during the test, including:

Abnormal patterns in the blood vessels
Areas that are swollen, worn away, or wasted away (atrophic)
Cervical polyps
Genital warts
Whitish patches on the cervix

Abnormal biopsy results may be due to changes that can lead to cervical cancer. These changes are called dysplasia, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

CIN I is mild
CIN II is moderate
CIN III is severe dysplasia or very early cervical cancer called carcinoma in situ

Abnormal biopsy results may be due to:

Cervical cancer
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (precancerous tissue changes that are also called cervical dysplasia)
Cervical warts (infection with human papilloma virus, or HPV)

If the biopsy does not determine the cause of abnormal results, you may need a procedure called a cold knife cone biopsy.

Risks

After the biopsy, you may have some bleeding for up to a week. You may have mild cramping, your vagina may feel sore, and you may have a dark discharge for 1 to 3 days.

A colposcopy and biopsy will not make it more difficult for you to become pregnant, or cause problems during pregnancy.

Call your provider if:

Bleeding is very heavy or lasts for longer than 2 weeks.
You have pain in your belly or in the pelvic area.
You notice any signs of infection (fever, foul odor, or discharge).

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletin no. 140: management of abnormal cervical cancer screening test results and cervical cancer precursors. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122(6):1338-1367. PMID: 24264713 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24264713.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee opinion no. 463: cervical cancer in adolescents: screening, evaluation, and management. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116(2 Pt 1):469-472. PMID: 20664421 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20664421.

Beard JM, Osborn J. Common office procedures In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 28.

Newkirk GR. Colposcopic examination. In: Pfenninger JL, Fowler GC, eds. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2011:chap 137.

Noller KL. Intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract (cervix, vulva). In: Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2012:chap 28.