Your well-woman exam includes a Pap smear to detect changes in your cervical cells that could indicate cancer. Most Pap smear results are normal, but if yours reveal unusual or abnormal cells, your women’s health specialist will want to investigate further.
Abnormal cells do not always indicate cervical cancer or even precancerous conditions. But a closer examination is warranted to determine if they pose a risk and if you need to take further action.
At Eve Medical in Miami, Florida, we may recommend a colposcopy to examine further any abnormal cells found during your Pap test. Let’s look into this test and what you can expect.
We perform your colposcopy right in our Miami office. As with a routine pelvic exam, we ask you to disrobe from the waist down and lie on an exam table. We then insert a metal speculum into your vagina to widen the opening.
We use a colposcope to look closely at your cervix, vulva, and vagina. This device has a magnifying tool and light to detect changes in the tissues and identify abnormal cells.
We brush your cervix with a solution to make any abnormal cells more visible. A filter over the colposcope creates colored light, which highlights the blood vessels and any changes to them.
We may collect and examine tiny tissue samples from any unusual areas.
The entire procedure only takes about 15 minutes. Most of our patients say it feels the same as a Pap smear. You may experience minor spotting for a few days after the procedure, which is normal.
We further examine any cell tissue samples and your test results and then contact you if we recommend further steps or treatment. You may require no further treatment and receive an all-clear. Or we may recommend other tests or follow-up appointments.
Regular Pap smear tests and follow-up exams are necessary for early detection of cervical cancer and other cellular changes.
We know that a Pap test, colposcopy, and other recommended procedures may be stressful, but our team of providers know how to put you at ease. We thoroughly explain everything we do to care for your health and answer your questions clearly.
Contact us at Eve Medical in Miami to schedule your next well-woman exam, and let us help you take care of your health.
