Why is a colposcope used in loop excision of the cervix?

A colposcope is a viewing instrument that stays outside the vagina. It provides a magnified, well-lit view of the cervix while the clinician works through a speculum. During loop excision, this view helps locate the abnormal cell change and define its visible edges before a thin heated wire loop removes tissue.

The clinician may apply solutions to the cervix to make areas of cell change easier to see. The removed tissue is sent for laboratory assessment, which helps clarify the type of change and whether the edges of the sample contain abnormal cells. The colposcope does not remove tissue and does not emit radiation.

Follow the clinic's instructions about medicines, bleeding, and arranging transport if sedation is planned. Tell the team about pregnancy or possible pregnancy, allergies, blood-thinning medicines, and any bleeding disorder. After the procedure, mild cramps and light bleeding or watery discharge can occur. Use pads rather than tampons while the cervix heals, and follow the advised interval for sex, swimming, and strenuous activity.

Keep the follow-up appointment even if you feel well. The laboratory result determines whether further monitoring or treatment is needed.

Contact your clinic promptly for heavy bleeding, worsening pelvic pain, fever, chills, or discharge with an unpleasant smell. Seek urgent medical help if bleeding makes you faint, you feel severely unwell, or pain is intense and does not settle with the recommended medicine.

Ask which area the colposcope identified, how much tissue is expected to be removed, when the laboratory result should arrive, and which activities to avoid during healing.