Colposcopy is the magnified direct inspection of the surface of a woman's genital area, including the cervix, vagina and vulva (when it may be referred to as vulvoscopy), using a light source and a binocular microscope - a colposcope. It is used to evaluate potentially cancerous areas, typically after an abnormal cervical screening test. A biopsy of an abnormal area may be taken during the procedure. Colposcopy can also be used to detect inflammatory or infectious changes and harmless growths and also to assess traumatic injuries or gather evidence in cases of sexual assault.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/gynaecology/colposcopy-and-cervical-treatments-pro