At New River Women’s Health, we are pleased to offer a full range of gynecological services for women in all stages of their lives. Our years of experience give us the knowledge we need to provide services according to a wide range of cultural values and personal preferences. We strive to understand your needs and will offer you the specialized care you expect and deserve. One of the many specialized gynecological procedures that Dr. Campbell offers in Blacksburg, Virginia is the colposcopy procedure.
What is a Colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a procedure used to magnify and closely examine the vulva, vagina and cervix. A colposcopy is generally recommended when a Pap test comes back with abnormal results. Abnormal Pap results are often the result of HPV, also known as the human papillomavirus. The colposcopy procedure allows your doctor to carefully inspect the tissues in your vagina and cervix and look for problems that may not be caught by the naked eye. If your doctor sees a questionable area, the tissue is biopsied and sent to the pathologist.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The colposcopy procedure is performed in the doctor’s office. It is recommended that nothing be inserted in the vagina for 24 hours before the procedure, including tampons, douches and anything related to sexual intercourse. The procedure should take approximately 15 minutes and may involve some of the following steps:
- Your doctor will explain to you the reason you are having this test and walk you through the procedure as it occurs
- A magnifying, lighted scope will be inserted into your vagina as well as the cervix to examine the area
- The doctor will determine what areas of tissue need to be sampled (this may include more than one area) and collect the samples with a small tool called a curette
- Your tissue samples will then be sent to a pathologist for further analysis
Results
The results of the colposcopy will take several days up to a week to return. A colposcopy provides both you and your doctor with more valuable information regarding any potential abnormal result from a Pap test. Abnormal results may indicate you have a precancerous condition, in which case early treatment is most beneficial.
Dr. Sanam Campbell and the team at New River Women’s Health are experienced in providing expert diagnoses and treatment for all types of women’s health issues. New River Women’s Health is a leading provider of comprehensive Obstetrics & Gynecology services. Our entire staff collaborates to offer women the highest level of multidisciplinary, high-quality care. We utilize the latest information and advanced technology to diagnose and treat patients in a comfortable environment.
To schedule your next appointment with Dr. Campbell, contact us at 540-605-7566 or use our convenient online scheduling system today.
