Keyhole examination of the cervix - colposcopy

Colposcopy is a procedure to examine the cervix.

Most changes in cervical cells are detected by family doctors in connection with the regular check-ups. In about 5% of the smears taken, abnormal cell changes are found. It can be atypical cells or cells with dysplasia, which in rare cases can be the early stages of cancer.  

Additional examinations
If the smear shows some atypical cells or cell changes (dysplasia), you’ll need a keyhole examination where we take more samples of the tissue in your cervix.
If our lab finds some atypical cells or mild dysplasia, a repeat test after 4-6 months is the safe and sensible thing to do. If you have moderate cell changes and you’re below the age of 37, this will often be enough - very often such changes just disappear, without any treatment. However, if you are over the age 37 and tests show moderate to severe dysplasia, we advise you to have the affected tissue removed. This is done in a cone biopsy.

There’re no special preparations needed for this examination: the only requirement is that you don’t have your period at the time. We use a colposcope for the examination, a lighted magnifying scope. It allows the specialist to take a closer look at any areas that look a bit suspicious. A little vinegar is used, to make changes stand out more clearly. We take a sample of the tissue, a biopsy, which is examined in more detail at the University’s Department of Pathology. It isn’t painful to have a colposcopy, and there are no side- or after-effects. About 14 days later you call the clinic to get the results of the test.