Is colposcopy painful?

When we do cervical cancer screening, if there is an abnormality in liquid-based cytology (TCT) or a positive human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, or there is bleeding during intercourse, or the doctor thinks there are other abnormalities, a colposcopy is recommended, and a cervical biopsy specimen is collected for reexamination. So what is a colposcopy? Does it hurt? What should you pay attention to? Now I will give you a detailed introduction.

Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix and vagina, and sometimes of the private parts. It uses a colposcope to magnify the epithelial cells in the cervix and vagina by 10-40 times under direct light, in order to observe subtle changes that are invisible to the human eye, and to perform precise puncture biopsy at abnormal locations to improve the diagnosis rate of the disease.

Before the colposcopy, it is necessary to check the female secretions, that is, the secretions. If there is inflammation, it will affect the observation of the colposcopy. It is best to apply vaginal medication first and perform the colposcopy after the inflammation improves. It is best not to have sex and avoid the menstrual period, because a cervical puncture biopsy is required, which will cause mild trauma. You cannot take a sitz bath or have sex in January. Therefore, if you plan to go to hot springs, swim, or go on a beach vacation, it is best to adjust your schedule.

When doing a colposcopy, the bladder should be in the occlusal position, a vaginal speculum should be used to fully expose the inside of the cervix and vagina, and medicated cotton should be used to gently clean the cervical secretions. This process will not cause discomfort. Then 3% acetic acid will be used to rub the inside of the cervix and vagina to clean and swell the epithelial cells, so that the state of the disease and the surface shape can be observed more clearly. A green filter should be added during the observation. This process also causes a small amount of burning sensation caused by acetic acid dye, which will disappear after a while. Because everyone's situation is different, the length of observation time is different. Finally, apply thorn seed iodine solution, and take a puncture biopsy from the iodine test negative area or the abnormal lesion site for pathological examination. Some cases require endocervical curettage. During cervical canal curettage, some women who have not given birth or are menopausal may experience slight lower abdominal distension and pain, but generally there is no obvious feeling. What about cervical puncture biopsy and cervical cystectomy? Since the cervical tactile nerves are not obvious, there is only a little mild discomfort in the lower abdomen, which is completely tolerable.

After the colposcopy, pay special attention to the presence of vaginal packing gauze, which is usually removed spontaneously within 24 hours. A small amount of vaginal bleeding is normal. If the menstrual flow exceeds the limit, you need to go to the hospital or local hospital for treatment immediately. Take oral antibiotics after the operation to prevent infection. See a doctor for reexamination immediately after obtaining the pathological results.