If you have an abnormal pap smear, your provider will likely recommend a colposcopy in Plano and potentially, small biopsies of the cervical tissue. This allows your OB/GYN provider to confirm the pap smear results and determine if further treatment is needed, such as a LEEP procedure in Plano, to prevent abnormal cells from becoming cancerous.
A colposcopy is a procedure that utilizes an instrument called a colposcope, which allows your OB/GYN to closely examine your vulva, vagina, and cervix for signs of conditions or diseases. Often, the reason you need a colposcopy in Plano is that you received abnormal Pap test results or abnormalities were revealed during a pelvic exam.
If your provider finds anything of concern – particularly, unusual cells – during the procedure, they will perform a biopsy. They’ll collect a tissue sample, which will be evaluated in a laboratory.
A colposcopy can diagnose:
A colposcopy is done in your Plano OB/GYNs office and takes approximately 10-20 minutes. Your provider will direct you to lie on your back. Your feet will go into supports, just as they would during a Pap test or pelvic exam.
Your doctor will place a speculum into your vagina, holding it open so your doctor can evaluate the cervix. Your OB/GYN will swab your cervix and vagina with cotton and/or apply a solution to the area. The cotton clears away mucus discharge, while the solution (sometimes made with vinegar) highlights suspicious cells. The solution may or may not cause a burning or tingling sensation.
Your provider will then position the colposcope (which is a magnifying instrument) a few inches away from the vulva. The colposcope has a bright beam of light that your doctor will shine into the vagina. Your doctor will then look through the lens of the magnifier, almost as if they’re looking through a microscope or binoculars.
Oftentimes, abnormal cellular changes in the cervix are caused by various types of HPV or human papillomavirus, which is a sexually transmitted infection.
These cells can go away on their own, but some types of HPV have been directly linked to cervical cancer.
Other causes of an abnormal Pap test include bacterial or yeast infections or post-menopausal changes.
LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. This procedure utilizes a wire loop that’s heated by electric currents. The loop then removes tissue cells. It is a way to both diagnose and treat abnormalities like cancer. The tissue removed from LEEP can be sent to a lab for testing. Or it can remove abnormal cells, which allows for the regrowth of healthy cells.
LEEP is used to detect and remove abnormal, precancerous, and cancerous cells from the cervix or vagina. It can also be used to diagnose or treat:
In many cases, women who develop reproductive abnormalities or diseases don’t have any symptoms. This is why your Plano OB/GYN recommends regular appointments for diagnostic testing, like a Pap test. These tests can identify abnormal, potentially cancerous cells in the early stages when they’re easier to treat. The Plano Women’s Healthcare team wants to help you live a long, healthy life and these tests are one way to accomplish that.