By Manhattan Women's Health & Wellness

01/11/2021 A colposcopy usually is performed by your doctor in response to an abnormal Pap smear. The purpose of the colposcopy is to allow your doctor to examine your vagina, vulva and cervix. The reasons for an abnormal Pap smear can vary greatly, but they are caused most commonly by viral infections, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV). Other types of infections might include:

• Yeast (fungi)
• Bacteria Protozoa
• (Trichomonas)

Abnormal Pap test results may also result from naturally occurring cervical cell changes called atrophic vaginitis that are related to menopause. If a Pap test indicates the presence of viruses, infections or cervical cells, then it’s necessary for your doctor to be able to determine the source of the problem. Left untreated, these cervical cell changes continue to grow and can lead to such serious complications as cancer.


Your gynecologist in Manhattan offers comprehensive Obstetrics & Gynecology care for women of all ages. At our obgyn clinic of we provide a full range of gynecologic services, from annual check-ups and routine pap smears to Cervical cancer screening and gyn procedures. Our state of the art gynecology NYC facility equipped with a latest obgyn equipment.


How a Colposcopy Works
It begins with another Pap smear test and an HPV test if you haven’t recently had one. You’ll be cleansed with a vinegar solution to make some types of abnormal cells visible. A lighted magnifying device that roughly resembles binoculars, called a colposcope, enables your OBGYN to see issues that could well be overlooked by the naked eye.


Your doctor may decide to take pictures or even videos of your cervix and vagina through a small camera attached to the end of the colposcope. If any suspicious or questionable areas are visible, your OBGYN can take a tissue sample (also known as a biopsy) from inside the cervix without having to perform another procedure. The samples taken from your cervix are sent to a pathologist for laboratory examination.


Three types of biopsies commonly used during colposcopy include:

• Endocervical curettage (ECC)
• Punch biopsy
• Cone biopsy