What is the importance of having a colposcopy?
Author: Doctoranytime
Colposcopy is one of those check-ups that every woman knows to do but usually looks for every excuse to avoid it. Either because of the pain, it causes or because of the idea that it is very painful, many women do not have this revision annually. However, the importance of colposcopy lies in the fact that it is a procedure that can prevent various diseases. One of them is cancer. For this reason, women should know when to have this checkup, with which gynecologist and what is being sought in it.
Is a colposcopy the same as a pap smear?
This is a very common question and the answer is no, it is not the same even though both are used for the prevention of different diseases related to the sexual organs of women. Pap smears are aimed at early detection of cervical cancer. In this, they can only be seen if there is any inflammation within the cervix. On the other hand, colposcopy consists of placing a solution to this area to see if there is even a minimal lesion.
It is recommended that all women have both tests at least once every year from the beginning of their sex life. This helps not only in the early detection of cancer but also in ruling out the presence of the human papillomavirus.
The importance of prevention
The purpose of colposcopy is to locate lesions that may indicate that the woman has other types of diseases. It is important to note that the chances of being cured are greater if diseases that affect the cervix are detected in their early stages. Usually, the doctor will ask the patient to have this test if her Pap smear shows abnormal or incomplete results. However, this test does not cause any pain for the patient. The only discomfort you may feel is when the doctor inserts the speculum.
This test has a maximum duration of 20 minutes and it is not necessary to use anesthesia. It is done in a gynecologist’s office, who will explain each step of the procedure to make you feel more at ease. You should relax as much as possible so that the doctor can act quickly and avoid further discomfort.
How can you prepare for this test?
The precautions you should take before the day of your colposcopy are:
- Schedule your test on the days you are not menstruating
- Do not have sexual intercourse at least two days before the test
- Not using tampons before your appointment
- Avoid douching
- Do not use or apply any type of medicine that goes into or out of the vagina
Remember that your gynecologist is the right doctor to perform this test. Likewise, if you have any questions about any part of the procedure, your doctor can answer them. On the other hand, remember to ask him the tentative date when he should repeat this test so that you can take it into account.
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