What is a colposcope used for?

The colposcope stays outside the body. A speculum gently holds the vaginal walls apart while the clinician views the cervix through the instrument. Solutions may be applied to make abnormal cells easier to identify. The clinician may take a small biopsy if an area needs laboratory examination.

A colposcope does not diagnose cancer by itself. It helps locate and assess tissue changes, often after an abnormal cervical screening result or when the cervix looks unusual. A biopsy result, symptoms and previous screening history guide the next step.

For a clear view, the clinic may ask you to avoid vaginal intercourse, tampons and vaginal medicines for a short period before the appointment. Tell the team if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medicine, or have had a reaction to examination solutions.

You can bring a support person if the clinic allows it. During the visit, tell the clinician if the speculum or biopsy causes significant discomfort. A panty liner can be useful afterwards because light spotting or watery discharge may occur.

Contact the clinic if bleeding is heavier than expected, continues rather than settling, or is accompanied by worsening pelvic pain, fever, or unpleasant-smelling discharge. Seek urgent help for severe pain, heavy bleeding, faintness, or breathing difficulty after any medicine or procedure.

Ask why colposcopy was recommended, whether a biopsy is likely, how to care for yourself afterwards, and when results will be available. If tissue changes are found, ask whether monitoring or treatment such as loop excision is being considered.