Colposcopy - a procedure for the inspection of the vulva, vagina and cervix. During her of the doctor uses a special device - a colposcope. Colposcopy is recommended if the Pap test results are abnormal. If you notice unusual formations during colposcopy doctor may perform a biopsy - a small amount of intake of abnormal cells in laboratory tests. Many women experience anxiety before colposcopy. Often this is due to lack of awareness about the nature of the procedure.

What is it for

Colposcopy is used to diagnose many diseases, including:

• Cervical cancer
• Genital warts
• Inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)
• Precancerous changes in cervical tissue
• Precancerous changes in vaginal tissue
• Precancerous changes in the tissue of the vulva
• Vaginal Cancer
• Cancer of the vulva

Risks

Colposcopy is considered a very safe procedure, but in rare cases it can cause complications, such as:

• Heavy bleeding
• Infection
• Pain in the lower abdomen

If shortly after the procedure you will have symptoms such as a stronger than usual menstrual bleeding, chills, fever and severe pain in the lower abdomen, as soon as possible to see a doctor.

Preparation for the procedure

Before colposcopy doctor may recommend:

• Abstain from vaginal sex for one or two days before the procedure.
• Do not use tampons for a day or two before the procedure.
• Take nonprescription pain reliever to colposcopy, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Choose the date for colposcopy is necessary in such a way that the procedure was not necessary at the time of menstruation.

The procedure

The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina. In a metal frame, it is cold, and this point might be unpleasant, but most patients with no pain or discomfort is particularly strong. Then, a few inches from a physician examination table colposcope - a large device with which you can be considered as the vulva, vagina and cervix.

To detect pathological changes of tissue, the physician may be applied to the cervix vinegar solution and / or an aqueous solution of iodine. Vinegar will cause a slight burning sensation, but it is very fast. A solution of iodine or Lugol's solution, causes no sensation at all. With his healthy cells causing tissue change color, and those areas where there were pathological changes do not change.

If you find such sites Dr. biopsy - taking a small tissue sample for analysis. A biopsy of the cervix is ​​painless, although sometimes is not strong sense of pressure and / or spasmodic pain. Biopsies of the lower part of the vagina and vulva is painful, so before you spend it, use a local anesthetic. Some also use a special tool to reduce bleeding.

After a colposcopy

If during a colposcopy, the doctor did not conduct a biopsy, your activity after the procedure should not be restricted in any way. Within one or two days after a colposcopy may be a slight smearing bleeding, but this is quite rare.

After the biopsy pain in the vagina or vulva, as a rule, passes through one or two days, easy bleeding may continue for several days. Some patients after a biopsy has an unusually dark vaginal discharge The whole truth about vaginal secretions . Within a week after the biopsy should avoid sexual intercourse, use tampons How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   and douching.

Vaginal discharge are absolutely all women - they are as natural as saliva or lacrimal glands. But if the nature of the discharge is changed, it is a good reason to see a doctor - abnormal vaginal discharge may indicate the development of various diseases from banal bacterial vaginosis to oncology.

No worries

Selections are made from the secretion of glands of the vagina, the cervical mucus and dead skin cells. These secretions protect mucosal surfaces from drying and irritation, as well as acting as a natural lubricant.

Normal release enough liquid, mucus or jelly. They are generally transparent, but when left to stand for drying laundry light yellow or white spots.

The normal vaginal secretions have almost no smell, does not irritate the skin and is not accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms, such as itching, pain or burning. Character normal vaginal secretions may vary at different times of the cycle. Thus, in the first week after the monthly allocation is usually more viscous and transparent, and in the second half of the cycle, they acquire a whitish hue.

Occasional guard

Do not ignore the changing nature of vaginal discharge - unusual discharge may be a symptom of an illness. It is necessary to pay attention to color, texture and smell of discharge, cause for concern should be to increase the amount of secretions and discomfort in the genital area - itching, burning, pain.

Sometimes the selection - the only symptom of various diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and inflammatory processes in the female genital organs. If time does not begin treatment, the consequences can be very serious, so do not put off a visit to the doctor.

Whitish discharge with a grayish or yellowish tinge and an unpleasant smell of stale fish characteristic of bacterial vaginosis. These diseases are caused by a violation of the microflora of the vagina The microflora of the vagina: purity . If the rate of the vagina is dominated by lactobacilli, the bacteria overgrowth leads to multiplication of pathogens. Bacterial vaginosis is not particularly dangerous in themselves, but complications can be serious, so it is recommended not to neglect the treatment: the appearance of unpleasant-smelling discharge should see a doctor.

Thick, white discharge resembling curd or cottage cheese - a sign of candidiasis, or as it is more commonly called a fungal disease, "thrush". Discharges have almost no smell, the number can vary. The most unpleasant symptoms of "thrush" - strong, sometimes even agonizing itching and burning. The cause of candidiasis is also a dysbiosis.

Yellow-green frothy abundant with strong unpleasant smell - a symptom of trichomoniasis. This disease is sexually transmitted, so the doctor must apply to both partners, even if a man has no unpleasant symptoms are not observed. Trichomoniasis can cause cervical erosion, endocervicitis Endocervicitis - when to resort to antibiotics?   and other diseases of the pelvic organs, so it is advisable not to postpone the visit to the doctor.

Bloody issues

If vaginal secretions have pink, red, brown or black color, it may indicate the content of the blood. Typically, such allocation scare even the most unsuspecting women. However, the cause for concern is not always. For example, some bleeding between periods - almost normal for those who take hormonal contraceptives. Often such isolation for a few days before the onset of menstruation observed in women using IUDs. In this case, you should consult a gynecologist, but the reason for the panic is usually not.

In addition, often not associated with menstruation spotting Spotting - it is important to rule out pathology   appearing at such disease as endometriosis. Sometimes pus mixed with blood - a symptom of disease, sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevention of abnormal vaginal discharge

Abnormal vaginal discharge is a very common symptom of many diseases. Prevention of these diseases should be paid special attention. So, it should be in the case of a lack of confidence in a sexual partner to use a condom - it will protect against most infections that are sexually transmitted.

It should be balanced feed. It is desirable to avoid too many sweets in the diet - similar menu provokes the development of candidiasis. At the same time it should be given proper probiotic products that help maintain the normal microflora in the vagina.

Do not neglect the hygiene of the genital organs. For personal hygiene, use special means neutral. But the use of a variety of intimate deodorants should be discarded. These tools designed to give the female genital organs pleasant aroma, irritate and promote proliferation of pathogenic organisms. Scented pads and tampons are especially How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   It can also cause irritation and provoke the development of disease.

It is advisable to abandon the synthetic underwear, which does not allow the skin to "breathe". For every day a much better fit pants made of cotton. Daily laying is also desirable to choose from natural materials to ensure access of oxygen to the vulva.