Pap smears are recommended every few years to check for cervical abnormalities. If abnormal cells are found, a colposcopy is ordered to diagnose the cause. A biopsy may be performed if abnormal cells are present, and further testing may be needed if cervical cancer is suspected.
It is generally recommended that women have a Papanicolaou test, otherwise known as a Pap smear, at least once every few years, because this medical test checks for abnormalities in the cervix. When the results of this screening test show abnormal cells that could indicate cervical cancer or vaginal infection, many doctors order a colposcopy. This is a diagnostic test that allows doctors to take a closer look at your cervix before determining the cause of the abnormal cells. Therefore, the main connection between a Pap smear and colposcopy is that both are used to make a diagnosis related to cervical abnormalities.
During a Pap smear, a doctor inserts a speculum into the patient’s vagina so that the cervix is visible. The cervix is then swabbed so the cells can be collected and sent to a laboratory, where the cells are examined closely using a microscope. This means that the results of a Pap smear usually take a few weeks to get back to the doctor, who then informs the patient if abnormal cells are discovered. One major difference between a Pap smear and a colposcopy is that a Pap smear is used only for screening, while a colposcopy can be used to make a diagnosis or request further tests. Therefore, both a Pap test and a colposcopy are usually needed to definitively determine the problem.
Colposcopy is usually as short and painless as a Pap smear, although some doctors may perform procedures during the test that cause discomfort. During the exam, doctors apply acetic acid to the cervix to make abnormal cells easy to spot. The next step is to place a colposcope, which is an electric microscope, in front of the vagina so the cervix can be seen. During this diagnostic medical exam, the doctor focuses on the white spots on the cervix, because these areas indicate abnormal cells. In some cases, the Pap smear and colposcopy both show that nothing is wrong, in which case the doctor won’t see any abnormal cells during the test.
If the colposcopy shows that there are abnormal cells, many doctors choose to perform a biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for further testing. This can feel like a pinch and tends to cause mild abdominal cramping and light bleeding afterward. The tissue collected during the biopsy is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist. In some cases, the results show evidence of cervical cancer, at which time more tests are usually needed before treatment is started. Most cases never make it to the biopsy stage, because both the Pap smear and colposcopy indicate more minor problems, such as a vaginal infection, inflammation, or human papillomavirus (HPV).
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