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colposcopy

colposcopy is a test to look at the vagina and cervix through a lighted magnifying tool (colposcope).

the colposcope magnifies the view 2 to 60 times so the doctor can see any problems that would be missed by the naked eye. a camera can be hooked to the colposcope to take pictures or videos of the vagina and cervix for a permanent record.

the doctor may put vinegar (acetic acid) and sometimes iodine (lugol's solution) on the vagina and cervix with a swab or cotton balls to see areas of abnormal cells more clearly. samples of the abnormal cells (biopsies) can be collected and looked at under a microscope.

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