Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy

Cervical Biopsy and Colposcopy, Cervical Exam

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

• Are or might be pregnant. A blood or urine test may be done before the colposcopy to see whether you are pregnant. Colposcopy is safe during pregnancy. If a cervical biopsy is needed during a colposcopy, the chance of any harm to the pregnancy (such as miscarriage) is very small. However, you may have more bleeding from the biopsy. A colposcopy may be repeated about 6 weeks after delivery.
• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines.
• Have had bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as ASA (Aspirin) or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Have been treated for a vaginal, cervical, or pelvic infection.

Do not douche, use tampons, or use vaginal medicines for 24 hours before a colposcopy. You will empty your bladder just before your colposcopy.

You may want to take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), 30 to 60 minutes before having a colposcopy, especially if a biopsy may be done. This can help decrease any cramping pain that can be caused by the colposcopy.

A colposcopy is not usually done during your menstrual period because blood cells make it harder for your doctor to see your cervix. The best time to schedule a colposcopy is during the early part of your menstrual cycle, 8 to 12 days after the start of your last menstrual period.

You will need to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of colposcopy and agree to have the colposcopy done. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the colposcopy, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Douglas Dana Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: February 15, 2008
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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