A Pap test (or Pap smear) is a safe, effective, and accurate method of determining if a woman may have or be at risk for cervical cancer. But receiving an abnormal test result doesn’t mean you have cancer; instead, it just means you need to have an additional evaluation — and that usually means having a colposcopy exam.
As a leading gynecologist in Santa Monica, California, Shamsah Amersi, MD, offers colposcopy exams using the most advanced technology to help women get the care and peace of mind they need as quickly as possible. If a colposcopy exam is in your future, here’s what you can expect during and after your visit.
Colposcopy exams use a specially lighted, magnified scope called a colposcope to obtain a clear view of your vaginal walls and cervix. The exam allows Dr. Amersi to look for unusual lesions or abnormal tissue areas.
These lesions may indicate the presence of cancer cells or other cell changes associated with cancer, but they can also be a sign of an infection or other issue. As with a Pap smear, colposcopy results are evaluated in a lab to determine what’s causing the abnormal tissue changes.
It’s important to note that the colposcope is not inserted into the vagina. Instead, it’s positioned outside your vagina, while the light and magnification enable Dr. Amersi to perform the actual evaluation.
Colposcopy exams begin like a regular pelvic exam, lying on an exam table with your feet in the special “stirrups.” Once you’re reclining on the exam table, Dr. Amersi uses a lubricated speculum to widen the vaginal opening gently, then positions the colposcope at the opening of your vagina.
She uses a special solution to “coat” the tissue lining the vaginal canal and cervix. This solution helps highlight any unusual or abnormal tissue areas so Dr. Amersi can see them more clearly.
If she identifies an unusual lesion, she uses a special instrument to take a tiny tissue sample for further evaluation. You may feel slight cramping, but this effect is mild and temporary. She may also take cell samples from the surface of your cervix.
If you’re nervous or sensitive about discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever before your visit. The entire exam takes about 15 minutes.
After your colposcopy, you may have mild cramps (similar to a period) and vaginal discharge or spotting, particularly if you’ve had a biopsy. These effects only last a few days or less.
Discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medicine. If you’ve had a biopsy, Dr. Amersi may advise avoiding physical activity and sexual intercourse while the area heals. You might want to have some sanitary pads on hand in case of spotting.
The results of your biopsy typically are available within about a week. Based on those results, Dr. Amersi will recommend follow-up treatment as needed.
Colposcopy exams are quick and straightforward, but they can provide Dr. Amersi with important information to guide treatment and help you stay healthy. To learn more about colposcopy or to schedule a pelvic exam or Pap smear, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Amersi at her Santa Monica, California, office today.
