{"id":987512368,"date":"2024-10-16T17:40:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/kolposkopi_nedir_ve_hangi_durumlarda_uygulanir\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T16:17:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T13:17:25","slug":"what-is-colposcopy-and-in-which-situations-is-it-performed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/what-is-colposcopy-and-in-which-situations-is-it-performed\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Colposcopy and In Which Situations Is It Performed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>What Is Colposcopy and In Which Situations Is It Performed?<\/h1>\n<h2>What Is Colposcopy?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is a diagnostic method used to examine the tissues of the cervix, vagina and vulva in detail. Developed by Hans Hinselmann in 1925, this method remains one of the gold-standard procedures for evaluating abnormal Pap smear results and other cervical conditions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a specialised microscope called a colposcope, abnormalities of the cervix are magnified and visualised more clearly. This allows small lesions or cellular changes that cannot be seen with the naked eye to be identified.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is generally performed for diagnostic purposes; however, in some cases, it may also be used for treatment. It plays an important role in preventing serious conditions such as cervical cancer.<\/p>\n<h2>In Which Situations Is Colposcopy Performed?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Risk of Cervical Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In women with abnormal Pap smear results, colposcopy is performed to examine cellular changes that may carry a risk of developing into cervical cancer in greater detail.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>HPV Infection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is used to evaluate changes caused by the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, which may lead to cervical cancer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection. This virus may cause various conditions within the female genital tract. More than 100 types of HPV have been identified.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV types are primarily divided into two groups according to their potential to cause cancer:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li><strong>High-risk HPV types:<\/strong>\u00a0HPV 16, which is the most common, as well as HPV 18, 31, 33, 35, 45 and 51<\/li>\n<li><strong>Low-risk HPV types:<\/strong>\u00a0HPV 6 and HPV 11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-risk HPV types are associated with cervical cancer, whereas low-risk types are associated with genital warts. HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. For this reason, HPV tests are used in cervical cancer screening programmes in T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cervical Lesions and Bleeding<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy may be performed to determine the cause of complaints such as open lesions on the cervix, bleeding or vaginal discharge.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Visibly Abnormal Findings on the Cervix<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When wart-like lesions or other abnormalities are visible on the cervix, a more detailed examination may be performed using colposcopy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cervicitis and Other Chronic Infections<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy may be performed when chronic infections of the cervix are identified.<\/p>\n<h2>How Is Colposcopy Performed?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The colposcopy procedure is generally carried out in the following steps:<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Patient Preparation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The patient is placed in the gynaecological examination position and made as comfortable as possible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Placement of the Speculum<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow the cervix to be visualised.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Examination with the Colposcope<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The colposcope is positioned outside the vagina, and the cervical area is examined under magnification. There is no physical contact between the colposcope and the patient during the procedure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Application of Chemical Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solutions such as acetic acid or Lugol\u2019s iodine are applied to make abnormal cells more visible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Biopsy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an abnormal area is detected, a small tissue sample is taken. A brief stinging sensation may be experienced during this procedure.<\/p>\n<h2>How Are Colposcopy Results Interpreted?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Findings obtained during colposcopy are generally interpreted using the Bethesda System or other international classification systems.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li><strong>Normal result:<\/strong>\u00a0No abnormal cells are detected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Precancerous changes, or CIN:<\/strong>\u00a0CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3 indicate the degree of cellular abnormality.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cancer:<\/strong>\u00a0The presence of invasive cancer may be identified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A treatment plan is prepared according to the results of the pathological examination. Mild changes are generally monitored, whereas advanced lesions may require surgical intervention.<\/p>\n<h2>How Should Patients Prepare for Colposcopy?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before colposcopy, patients should pay attention to the following:<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Menstrual Period<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procedure should not be performed during menstruation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Avoiding Vaginal Applications<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual intercourse, tampons and vaginal creams should be avoided for 24 hours before the procedure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Medication Use<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin may need to be discontinued if a biopsy is planned.<\/p>\n<h2>The Importance of Experience in Colposcopy<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is a diagnostic method that plays a critical role in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and requires specialised training and experience.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accurate identification of precancerous lesions during the procedure helps prevent serious health problems that patients may otherwise experience in the future. An incorrect or incomplete evaluation may allow treatable conditions to progress to cancer.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Colposcopy<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How Is a Colposcopic Biopsy Performed?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The removal of a tissue sample from abnormal areas detected during colposcopy is called a colposcopic biopsy. This procedure includes the following:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Local anaesthesia is generally not required, but it may be administered depending on the patient\u2019s sensitivity.<\/li>\n<li>The tissue samples obtained are examined histopathologically in a laboratory.<\/li>\n<li>Mild bleeding and discomfort after the biopsy are normal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How Long Does a Colposcopy Procedure Take?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy generally takes approximately 10\u201320 minutes. The procedure may take slightly longer if a biopsy is performed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Is Colposcopy Painful?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is a painless procedure. However, a mild stinging sensation may occur during a biopsy. This is tolerable for most patients.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What Are the Risks of Colposcopy and Colposcopic Biopsy?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is generally a safe procedure. However, although uncommon, the following risks may occur:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Mild infection<\/li>\n<li>Prolonged bleeding<\/li>\n<li>Temporary discomfort<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What Should Be Considered After Colposcopy?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following points should be considered after colposcopy:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<li>Sexual intercourse should be avoided for the first 48 hours.<\/li>\n<li>Hygiene recommendations should be followed, as vaginal bleeding and discharge may occur.<\/li>\n<li>A physician should be consulted in cases of severe pain or prolonged bleeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Colposcopy and Pregnancy<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colposcopy is generally safe during pregnancy. However, if a biopsy is performed, there may be a minimal risk of miscarriage. For this reason, biopsy is preferred only when necessary.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is LEEP?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LEEP, or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, is a method that allows abnormal tissue to be removed using a wire loop. It is frequently used to treat lesions detected during colposcopy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receiving support from an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist is highly important throughout this process. Prof. Dr \u015ead\u0131man K\u0131yka\u00e7 Alt\u0131nba\u015f, a Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology practising in Ankara, guides her patients as a physician specialising in the management of such conditions. You may contact us for further information.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colposcopy is a diagnostic method used to examine the tissues of the cervix, vagina and vulva in detail. Developed by Hans Hinselmann in 1925, this method remains one of the gold-standard procedures for evaluating abnormal Pap smear results and other cervical conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":987512369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[919],"tags":[2316,2317,1919,1909,2296,2314,2307,2318,2312,1917,2313,2294,2315,2300,2309,2299,2319,2311,2301,2305,2310,2306,2320,2302,2308,2295,2304,2297,2303],"dipi_cpt_category":[],"class_list":["post-987512368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-abnormal-cervical-cells-diagnosis-and-treatment","tag-abnormal-pap-smear","tag-cervical-biopsy","tag-cervical-cancer","tag-cervical-cancer-screening-with-colposcopy","tag-cervical-lesions","tag-cin-1-cin-2-and-cin-3-treatment","tag-colposcopic-biopsy","tag-colposcopic-biopsy-procedure-and-results","tag-colposcopy","tag-colposcopy-during-pregnancy-safety","tag-colposcopy-for-abnormal-pap-smear-results","tag-colposcopy-for-cervical-lesions-and-bleeding","tag-colposcopy-for-high-risk-hpv-infection","tag-colposcopy-for-persistent-cervical-infection","tag-colposcopy-procedure-and-biopsy","tag-colposcopy-results-and-cervical-biopsy","tag-high-risk-hpv-types-and-cervical-cancer","tag-how-is-a-colposcopy-procedure-performed","tag-how-to-prepare-for-a-colposcopy-examination","tag-hpv-infection","tag-is-colposcopy-painful-or-uncomfortable","tag-leep-procedure","tag-leep-treatment-after-abnormal-colposcopy","tag-pap-smear","tag-recovery-after-colposcopy-and-biopsy","tag-risks-of-colposcopy-and-cervical-biopsy","tag-what-is-colposcopy-used-for","tag-when-is-colposcopy-required-after-a-pap-smear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987512368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=987512368"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987512368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":987512371,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/987512368\/revisions\/987512371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/987512369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=987512368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=987512368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=987512368"},{"taxonomy":"dipi_cpt_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drsadimankiykac.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dipi_cpt_category?post=987512368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}