Does a Colposcopy Hurt?

A colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure that screens for abnormal cell changes in your cervix. It can diagnose conditions like cervical precancer, noncancerous growths, and genital warts, and it’s a common follow-up test for abnormal Pap smear results.

But if you need a colposcopy, it’s normal to have questions. Our gynecology team at The Women's Center is here to help. We specialize in quick, in-office colposcopies, and many women are surprised to find they often feel like routine pelvic exams.

Colposcopies are nearly pain-free, and here’s what you can expect if you get one.

What to expect during a colposcopy

There’s nothing special you need to do to prepare for a colposcopy, but it can be helpful to schedule it for a time when you’re not on your period. On the day of your appointment, we guide you to an exam room, and you put on an exam gown.

For most women, colposcopies feel similar to routine pelvic exams. You lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups, and we insert a speculum into your vagina so we can see your cervix.

The speculum shouldn’t hurt, but you may feel some pressure when it goes in and gently expands your vaginal walls. Then, we wash your cervix and surrounding tissue with a gentle cleanser, which may sting a bit.

We use a special device called a colposcope for colposcopies. The colposcope looks like a set of binoculars with a bright light. It doesn’t touch you, and it isn’t painful. Your provider looks through it to get a close-up view of your cervix and vagina.

If we identify abnormal cells, we may take a biopsy. Biopsies can cause brief discomfort, and colposcopy biopsies are often described as feeling like a sharp pinch or a strong period cramp. In a biopsy, we take a small sample of cells for additional testing.

Recovering from a colposcopy

Colposcopies typically take just a few minutes from start to finish. Once the procedure is over, we give you time to dress and then give you instructions for recovery.

If you didn’t have a biopsy, you can return to your usual activities right away — just like you would after a routine pelvic exam. If you had a biopsy, your cervix may need a few days to heal.

A biopsy can cause vaginal pain, discharge, or bleeding for 1-2 days. Depending on the type of biopsy you had, we may recommend avoiding tampons and vaginal sex for a few days too.

If you had a biopsy, we send the cell sample to a lab for testing. We’ll let you know when to expect your results and what your next steps are.

A colposcopy screens for abnormal cell changes that could indicate cervical cancer, and it’s a quick procedure that’s nearly pain-free. To find out more or schedule your colposcopy, call the Orlando, Florida, area office nearest you or book online today.