Im in an ob/gyn office as a MA, and we do colpos all the time. I have never had one myself, but I can tell you what we do in the procedure, if it will help you at all.
Like others have said, it is alot like getting a pap smear done, but more time consuming. The big machine with ligfhts, is called a colposcope, which will give the Dr a lighted, magnified view of your cervix. The speculum is placed the same way as it id for a pap, but they may have to move it around to get the best view of your cervix. They will apply a solution to your cervix, which is just a dilute mixture of vinegar and water. Since vinegar is acidic, it will cause any external areas of abnormal cells to become more visible by turning them white. If everything looks ok on the surface of the cervix, then they will do the endocervical sampling, which is done with a currette to the inside of the cervix. Often, our doctors will use the same type of brush that they use for the regualr pap smears. Its usually a little more gentle than the currette. Another poster had suggested Ibuprofen, and thats what we reccomend to our patients as well. Usually about 800mg.
You'll do fine. Every girl that we talk to after the procedure always say it wasnt as bad as they thought. Just mild discomfort, and spotting afterwards. I hope everything goes great, and I hope I helped!!
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Date: 2006-10-20 05:14 am (UTC)Like others have said, it is alot like getting a pap smear done, but more time consuming. The big machine with ligfhts, is called a colposcope, which will give the Dr a lighted, magnified view of your cervix. The speculum is placed the same way as it id for a pap, but they may have to move it around to get the best view of your cervix. They will apply a solution to your cervix, which is just a dilute mixture of vinegar and water. Since vinegar is acidic, it will cause any external areas of abnormal cells to become more visible by turning them white. If everything looks ok on the surface of the cervix, then they will do the endocervical sampling, which is done with a currette to the inside of the cervix. Often, our doctors will use the same type of brush that they use for the regualr pap smears. Its usually a little more gentle than the currette. Another poster had suggested Ibuprofen, and thats what we reccomend to our patients as well. Usually about 800mg.
You'll do fine. Every girl that we talk to after the procedure always say it wasnt as bad as they thought. Just mild discomfort, and spotting afterwards. I hope everything goes great, and I hope I helped!!