Colposcopy, step by step

This lesson is part of the WARTES HPV Masterclass. Preview: the first part of the narration.

If you have been advised to have a colposcopy, you may have many questions: Will it hurt? What will be done? How long will it take? In this video, I show you the whole examination, step by step, with real images. Colposcopy means looking at the cervix with a special microscope, under magnification.

The microscope stays outside the body and does not touch you. Some solutions are applied to the cervix, and they make risky areas visible. If needed, a biopsy is taken from those areas. When is a colposcopy done? If HPV 16 or 18 is found, whatever the Pap result.

If another high-risk type is found, such as 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 or 68, and the Pap test shows ASC-US, LSIL, HSIL or AGC. If the Pap test shows ASC-H, HSIL or AGC, whatever the HPV result. If another high-risk type is still positive after 1 year.

If you bleed after sex. And if something looks suspicious during the examination. Colposcopy is not done during your period.

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