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Fallopian Tube CervixVaginaWhat is colposcopy?Why do I need it?What happens duringthe procedure? What should I expectbefore and after?What is cervical cancer?Can I reduce my risk?OvaryUterus If your biopsy comes back positivefor pre-cancer or cancer cells, youshould schedule an appointment withyour provider to discuss next steps. What is cervicalcancer? Cervical cancer is a type of cancerthat starts in the cervix, an organ thatconnects your vagina to your uterus. Its main cause is Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmittedinfection, but genetics and smokingtobacco have also been linked to anincreased risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the easiestgynecological cancers to prevent andtreat if caught early.If sexually active, make sure you getthe HPV vaccine and an HPV testSchedule regular Pap smears andfollow up on any abnormal resultsQuit smoking and avoid exposure tosecondhand smokeCan I reduce my risk?Colposcopy:your key topreventingcervical cancerIs cervical cancerpreventable?Read this brochure tolearn more about:What should I expectafter colposcopy? If your provider took a biopsy, expectsome cramping and bleeding for acouple days after your colposcopy. Youcan take over-the-counter medicationsto help with any pain you experience.While your cervix heals, avoid sex, using tampons, and douching. Following up on abnormal cervicalcancer screening is extremelyimportant. Unfortunately, over60% of patients do not make it totheir next appointment. Be sure tofollow up on any abnormal results!United Way’s helplinecan connect you withchildcare, food,transportation, and other resources. Just dial 2-1-1!

SpeculumCervix RectumWhat is colposcopy? In colposcopy, your provider looks closely at your cervix using amagnifying device called a colposcope.This device creates a larger andbrighter view of the cervix, vagina, andvulva so that your provider can checkfor pre-cancer or cancer cells. The procedure usually take 5-10minutes and does not need anesthesiabecause it causes very little pain. 1-2 days before colposcopy, avoid sexor putting anything in your vagina, asthese can affect laboratory results. Why do I need one? Colposcopy is recommended after an abnormal Pap smear, pelvic exam, or positive HPV test. These tests areimportant, but they cannot diagnosecervical cancer on their own. Yourprovider needs a complete view of thecervix to give you the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Colposcopy also helps assess:genital warts on the cervixcervical inflammation (cervicitis)benign growths called polypsabnormal pain or bleedingresults after treatmentWhat happensduring colposcopy?1.) You will undress from the waistdown, with a sheet to drape over yourlegs. You will lie on your back andplace your feet in raised stirrups.2.) Your provider will insert a speculuminto your vagina to open it up. This mayfeel uncomfortable but should not hurt.4.) Your provider will place thecolposcope outside your vaginaand visually examine your cervix.3.) Your provider may apply vinegar tothe cervix using a cotton swab. Thismakes abnormal cells easier to see butmay cause a slight burning sensation. 5.) If your provider sees an abnormalarea, they may take a tissue samplecalled a biopsy for further testing. Thismay bleed and feel like a strong cramp.6.) After removing the speculum, yourprovider may check for abnormalitieswith a pelvic exam, where they insert afinger in the vagina, or a rectal exam,where they insert a finger in the rectum.ColposcopeStirrupsUterus BladderPrefer to listen tothis information?Scan this QR codefor a digital versionwith English audio.

SpeculumCervix RectumWhat is colposcopy? In colposcopy, your provider looks closely at your cervix using amagnifying device called a colposcope.This device creates a larger andbrighter view of the cervix, vagina, andvulva so that your provider can checkfor pre-cancer or cancer cells. The procedure usually take 5-10minutes and does not need anesthesiabecause it causes very little pain. 1-2 days before colposcopy, avoid sexor putting anything in your vagina, asthese can affect laboratory results. Why do I need one? Colposcopy is recommended after an abnormal Pap smear, pelvic exam, or positive HPV test. These tests areimportant, but they cannot diagnosecervical cancer on their own. Yourprovider needs a complete view of thecervix to give you the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Colposcopy also helps assess:genital warts on the cervixcervical inflammation (cervicitis)benign growths called polypsabnormal pain or bleedingresults after treatmentWhat happensduring colposcopy?1.) You will undress from the waistdown, with a sheet to drape over yourlegs. You will lie on your back andplace your feet in raised stirrups.2.) Your provider will insert a speculuminto your vagina to open it up. This mayfeel uncomfortable but should not hurt.4.) Your provider will place thecolposcope outside your vaginaand visually examine your cervix.3.) Your provider may apply vinegar tothe cervix using a cotton swab. Thismakes abnormal cells easier to see butmay cause a slight burning sensation. 5.) If your provider sees an abnormalarea, they may take a tissue samplecalled a biopsy for further testing. Thismay bleed and feel like a strong cramp.6.) After removing the speculum, yourprovider may check for abnormalitieswith a pelvic exam, where they insert afinger in the vagina, or a rectal exam,where they insert a finger in the rectum.ColposcopeStirrupsUterus BladderPrefer to listen tothis information?Scan this QR codefor a digital versionwith English audio.

SpeculumCervix RectumWhat is colposcopy? In colposcopy, your provider looks closely at your cervix using amagnifying device called a colposcope.This device creates a larger andbrighter view of the cervix, vagina, andvulva so that your provider can checkfor pre-cancer or cancer cells. The procedure usually take 5-10minutes and does not need anesthesiabecause it causes very little pain. 1-2 days before colposcopy, avoid sexor putting anything in your vagina, asthese can affect laboratory results. Why do I need one? Colposcopy is recommended after an abnormal Pap smear, pelvic exam, or positive HPV test. These tests areimportant, but they cannot diagnosecervical cancer on their own. Yourprovider needs a complete view of thecervix to give you the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Colposcopy also helps assess:genital warts on the cervixcervical inflammation (cervicitis)benign growths called polypsabnormal pain or bleedingresults after treatmentWhat happensduring colposcopy?1.) You will undress from the waistdown, with a sheet to drape over yourlegs. You will lie on your back andplace your feet in raised stirrups.2.) Your provider will insert a speculuminto your vagina to open it up. This mayfeel uncomfortable but should not hurt.4.) Your provider will place thecolposcope outside your vaginaand visually examine your cervix.3.) Your provider may apply vinegar tothe cervix using a cotton swab. Thismakes abnormal cells easier to see butmay cause a slight burning sensation. 5.) If your provider sees an abnormalarea, they may take a tissue samplecalled a biopsy for further testing. Thismay bleed and feel like a strong cramp.6.) After removing the speculum, yourprovider may check for abnormalitieswith a pelvic exam, where they insert afinger in the vagina, or a rectal exam,where they insert a finger in the rectum.ColposcopeStirrupsUterus BladderPrefer to listen tothis information?Scan this QR codefor a digital versionwith English audio.

Fallopian Tube CervixVaginaWhat is colposcopy?Why do I need it?What happens duringthe procedure? What should I expectbefore and after?What is cervical cancer?Can I reduce my risk?OvaryUterus If your biopsy comes back positivefor pre-cancer or cancer cells, youshould schedule an appointment withyour provider to discuss next steps. What is cervicalcancer? Cervical cancer is a type of cancerthat starts in the cervix, an organ thatconnects your vagina to your uterus. Its main cause is Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmittedinfection, but genetics and smokingtobacco have also been linked to anincreased risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the easiestgynecological cancers to prevent andtreat if caught early.If sexually active, make sure you getthe HPV vaccine and an HPV testSchedule regular Pap smears andfollow up on any abnormal resultsQuit smoking and avoid exposure tosecondhand smokeCan I reduce my risk?Colposcopy:your key topreventingcervical cancerIs cervical cancerpreventable?Read this brochure tolearn more about:What should I expectafter colposcopy? If your provider took a biopsy, expectsome cramping and bleeding for acouple days after your colposcopy. Youcan take over-the-counter medicationsto help with any pain you experience.While your cervix heals, avoid sex, using tampons, and douching. Following up on abnormal cervicalcancer screening is extremelyimportant. Unfortunately, over60% of patients do not make it totheir next appointment. Be sure tofollow up on any abnormal results!United Way’s helplinecan connect you withchildcare, food,transportation, and other resources. Just dial 2-1-1!

Fallopian Tube CervixVaginaWhat is colposcopy?Why do I need it?What happens duringthe procedure? What should I expectbefore and after?What is cervical cancer?Can I reduce my risk?OvaryUterus If your biopsy comes back positivefor pre-cancer or cancer cells, youshould schedule an appointment withyour provider to discuss next steps. What is cervicalcancer? Cervical cancer is a type of cancerthat starts in the cervix, an organ thatconnects your vagina to your uterus. Its main cause is Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmittedinfection, but genetics and smokingtobacco have also been linked to anincreased risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the easiestgynecological cancers to prevent andtreat if caught early.If sexually active, make sure you getthe HPV vaccine and an HPV testSchedule regular Pap smears andfollow up on any abnormal resultsQuit smoking and avoid exposure tosecondhand smokeCan I reduce my risk?Colposcopy:your key topreventingcervical cancerIs cervical cancerpreventable?Read this brochure tolearn more about:What should I expectafter colposcopy? If your provider took a biopsy, expectsome cramping and bleeding for acouple days after your colposcopy. Youcan take over-the-counter medicationsto help with any pain you experience.While your cervix heals, avoid sex, using tampons, and douching. Following up on abnormal cervicalcancer screening is extremelyimportant. Unfortunately, over60% of patients do not make it totheir next appointment. Be sure tofollow up on any abnormal results!United Way’s helplinecan connect you withchildcare, food,transportation, and other resources. Just dial 2-1-1!