Colposcopy is a procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. During colposcopy, your doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope which enables to have a magnified view of the local genital area.

Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if your pelvic examination or Pap test result shows abnormalities. If your doctor finds an unusual area of cells during your colposcopy procedure, a sample of tissue can be collected for laboratory testing (biopsy).

Colposcopy can be used to diagnose :

• Genital warts
• Inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)
• Precancerous changes in the tissue of the cervix
• Precancerous changes in the tissue of the vagina
• Precancerous changes of the vulva