Colposcopy
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- Colposcopy Introduction
- Risks
- Colposcopy Preparation
- During the Procedure
- After the Procedure
- Next Steps
- When to Seek Medical Care
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- References
- Authors and Editors
- Related cervical cancer articles:
Cervical cancer - on WebMD
Colposcopy Introduction
Colposcopy is the direct magnified inspection of the surface of a woman’s genital area, including the cervix, vagina, and vulva, using a light source and a binocular microscope. Doctors use the test to evaluate potentially cancerous areas, typically after a Pap smear has indicated the possibility of such a problem. Your doctor also may perform a biopsy (take a sample) of an abnormal area during the procedure.
Colposcopy also can be used to detect inflammatory or infectious changes, harmless or cancerous growths, and traumatic injuries to the cervix, vagina, and vulva. Because the procedure is highly specialized, you should make sure that your doctor has performed many such examinations.
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ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENABLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENABLEX affects you.
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Colposcopy
Vaginal Infections Overview
Vaginal infections, or vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that creates discharge, odor, irritation, or itching. It is difficult to diagnose because vaginitis has many causes. Women use a variety of over-the-counter medications to treat the itching, discharge, and discomfort of these conditions.
- The vagina creates its own environment and maintains a balance among the normal bacteria found there and the hormonal changes in a woman's body. Vaginitis occurs when the vaginal ecosystem has been changed by certain medications such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptive preparations (oral and topical), douches, vaginal medication, sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, stress, and change in sexual partners.
- Some vaginal infections are transmitted through sexual contact, but others such as yeast infections probably are not. Vaginitis means inflammation and is oft...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Colposcopy »
Literally translated, colposcopy (colpo: vagina; scope: to look) means to look into the vagina.
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