Colposcopy

Colposcopy is a procedure in which the doctor examines cervix with a special set of binoculars (the colposcope) that magnify the area and determine if any abnormalities are present. The cervix has been pre-stained with a 3 percent acetic acid solution, which is like vinegar. If any abnormal areas are seen, a small amount of tissue is taken (biopsy) and sent to a pathologist for evaluation. The procedure takes about 15 minutes in the doctor’s office or clinic. Little or no anesthesia is usually required for the procedure, although patients are advised to take 400 mg of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicine one hour prior to the colposcopy. If a biopsy is taken following colposcopy, the procedure may take longer and require anti-inflammatory medicine for several days after the procedure. Patients may experience mild vaginal bleeding, and should notify their doctor for bleeding heavier than the usual menstrual period.

UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology offers comprehensive women’s health care in a private, personal environment, with physicians and nurses who are dedicated to delivering excellent care. Because our physicians are nationally recognized specialists in their fields, you can rest assured that you are receiving the most advanced care available. UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology is consistently ranked among the best programs of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

As part of the UAB Division of Women’s Reproductive Healthcare, UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology’s services range from complete obstetric care to the medical and surgical treatment of complicated gynecological concerns. We work closely with the UAB Medicine Interventional Radiology team to diagnose and treat your condition, using the latest and most accurate technology and imaging methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans. Because UAB Medicine is an academic health center, patients may be offered participation in clinical research trials, which can give you access to new techniques and treatments that are not available elsewhere in the area. Our physicians are here for you at all times, from your first routine gynecological exam, to delivering your baby, to guiding you through menopause. When you establish a relationship with our doctors, you can rely upon that relationship throughout your lifetime.

Videos

Resources

• UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist – Colposcopy

Related Specialties

• Cervical Cancer
  OBGYN Services