In order to maintain proper vaginal health, it is necessary for a doctor to know see both the inside and the outside of the area. While general inspections through touch can prove helpful, in the case of someone who is experiencing pain and other problems in and around their vagina, vulva and cervix, it is necessary to see exactly what is going on inside the body. This is done through the help of a colposcopy. This is the process of using a camera like device that is inserted into the vagina in order to provide images from inside of the cervix. Often times, a biopsy is performed at the same time, which requires the doctor to take a small skin sample from the region in order to study the skin under a microscope.

Usually, the colposcopy is performed inside of the vagina when the results of a pap test come back with abnormal readings. These are typically the case of a viral infection, including HPV, although yeast infections and other similar issues can cause this sort of a problem as well. with the abnormal test results, the doctor is going to perform the colposcopy in order to see exactly what is going on inside. The patient does not need to be under or on any sort of medication or local anesthesia in order to have this procedure performed. The doctor can use the equipment in order to identify any sort of sore taking place, such as genital warts, that can cause the pain and discomfort. With the equipment, it is possible to have the procedure performed as well in order to see if an individual is more likely to sustain medical problems in the future. This way, the doctor can better prepare the individual for future possible outcomes and issues they might have to deal with.