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What is a Colposcopy?
Have you been recommended for a Colposcopy test and aren’t quite sure what that entails? Typically a gynecologist will suggest this test if they find that your pap smear results came back abnormal. It’s not an immediate cause for alarm, but it is an important test to have done to find out what is going on with your body. If you have been searching for a gynecologist in Lake Success, schedule an appointment at Women For Women. They perform colposcopy tests in office and help to determine appropriate management for your gynecology problems. Now to make you feel a bit more comfortable about this process, let’s talk about what to expect during the initial test.
What Happens During the Test?
The test will be conducted on a standard gynecologist exam table, the same one used during your routine pelvic exam visits. Once situated, your gynecologist or nurse will use a speculum to keep your vagina open for the duration of the test. It allows the doctor or nurse to keep the walls of the vagina open, while also giving them a good view of the cervix. They will then proceed to use a vinegar solution to wash down the cervix. Lastly, a colposcope instrument will be used to locate any abnormalities on the cervix. If your doctor finds something that raises a question, they will proceed to take a biopsy. The tiny sample of tissue extracted during the biopsy will then go on for further testing in a lab.
There are two kinds of biopsies you may receive when you visit a gynecologist in Lake Success. One will take tissue from outside the cervix, and the other will take from the inside. Your gynecologist might conduct either one or both biopsy tests. The colposcopy and biopsy should only take about 5-10 minutes in total.
Is it Painful?
The colposcopy is nearly painless, as the only thing you might feel is pressure from the speculum. The colposcope instrument used during the test never actually touches you. You might also feel a slight burning sensation from the vinegar solution that is used to prep the cervix. Other than that, the colposcopy test should be pain-free!
As for the biopsy, you might feel a bit more discomfort. It feels similar to a tight pinch or sharp period cramp. Some women may also experience light spotting, bleeding, or dark vaginal discharge that days following the biopsy.
How Should I Prep Myself?
Fortunately, there isn’t much preparation that goes into a colposcopy test. Here are a few helpful tips your gynecologist in Lake Success might suggest that can make the process a bit easier:
- Try to avoid scheduling your appointment during your period.
- Do not use tampons or have vaginal sex for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
- Don’t use vaginal medications for at least two days before your appointment.
- To ease your anxiousness, try doing activities that help you relax, such as reading a book, exercising, meditating, etc.
How can we help?
If you are wondering where you can get a colposcopy test done, Schedule an appointment with a gynecologist in Lake Success. At Women For Women, they have a team of five board-certified OBGYN female physicians, along with a certified nurse practitioner. They work seamlessly as a collaborative team to help ensure that you are getting the best treatment possible. Our office provides comprehensive obstetrical care from routine check-ups to even emergency procedures.
If you or someone you know who needs a gynecologist in Lake Success, contact Women For Women today to schedule your first appointment!
