Colposcopy is a painless examination of the cervix and vagina with a colposcope. This exam is usually done between menstrual periods and generally takes less than ten minutes. A woman lies down in the position used to take a pap smear and a speculum is inserted into the vagina to give a view of the cervix and vagina. After cleansing, the cervix and vagina are visualized through the colposcope. Biopsies are taken most of the time, except during pregnancy. You can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before the procedure is done. You need to come in two weeks after the procedure to discuss results

Cryotherapy is done with the patient lying in the same position used for taking a pap smear. A speculum is inserted and the cervix is touched with an instrument called a cryoprobe that rapidly freezes the abnormal tissue. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. Is it painful? Most women describe pelvic pressure and some have menstrual cramps during the procedure. A few women notice no discomfort at all. You can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before the procedure. You need to come back in for a four-week recheck.

An endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a small plastic tube is inserted into the vagina through the cervix into the uterine cavity. A small sampling of uterine cells is removed through a pipelle and is sent to pathology. The pathologist will then look at the sample of cells to determine if there are any abnormal cells, cancer cells or anything else of significance. The procedure is done for a variety of reasons, such as heavy vaginal bleeding, bleeding at times other than your normal period, bleeding after menopause and questionable pap smear results. It is used as an aid in diagnosis and treatment to help determine whether medications or further surgical intervention is necessary. You can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before the procedure. You need to come back to the office in one week to discuss results.

LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. It is used when your pap smear and colposcopy results have come back as being abnormal. It is an effective treatment for a condition known as dysplasia. This procedure, which is done in the office, removes those abnormal cells from your cervix. While dysplasia is not cancer, it can lead to cancer if early treatment is not received. You may ask what the difference between dysplasia and cancer is. Dysplasia is when abnormal changes or cell growth start to occur in some of the cells on the surface of the cervix. Some of these cells may start to grow irregularly. Cancer occurs when these abnormal cells start growing into the deeper parts of the cervix. They are no longer just on the surface. The cancer can then spread to other parts of the body. You need to take Ibuprofen before the procedure. You need to return to the office in four weeks for a recheck