Colposcopy Center - San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for ColposcopyType of Physician: Obstetrician-Gynecologist What is a Obstetrician-Gynecologist? A certification by the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; practitioners provide medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders, to the extent that it distinguishes them from other physicians. This training enables them to serve as consultants to other physicians and as primary physicians for women. Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Common Name: Ob/Gyn or Ob-Gyn Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors in San Luis Obispo * Central Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology  Central Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology  Central Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology  Central Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology  Central Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology  Matrix Medical  Advanced Ob/Gyn  Advanced Ob/Gyn  Randall Safarik MD  Women's Healthcare  Central Coast Ob/Gyn Inc A Medical Group  Central Coast Ob/Gyn Inc A Medical Group  Central Coast Ob/Gyn Inc A Medical Group  Steven J Herron MD  Women Care Center  Mitchell A Adler MD, A Professional Corporation  Robert L McGhie MD  Arbor Medical Group  Center For Womens Health & Family Birth  Center For Womens Health & Family Birth  Santa Maria Womens Health Center  Central Coast Womens Health  Santa Maria Womens Health Center  Central Coast Womens Health  Michael L Wyatt MD  Michael L Hoffman DO  W Blake Jamison MD  Women's Wellness Center  Robert C Corlett Jr. MD  Donald E Lindblad MD  Public Health Clinic  Public Health Clinic  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Alex R Soffici MD  Womens Total Care  Center For Women's Healthcare  Frank R Gamberdella MD  Ralph L Green MD  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Ob/Gyn  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Ob/Gyn  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Ob/Gyn  Cottage Hospital Med Education Ob/Gyn Dept  Womens Medical Clinic  Ayesha Shaikh MD  Ob/Gyn Associates  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Ob/Gyn  Barbara E Mathews MD  Ralph Quijano MD  Ravi I Kumar MD  Isaias Claudio Coelho MD  Kings Comprehensive Womens Healthcare Medical Group  Kings Comprehensive Womens Healthcare Medical Group  David W Nelson MD  Kings Comprehensive Womens Healthcare Medical Group San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-27
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ColposcopyWhat is colposcopy?Colposcopy is a gynecological procedure that illuminates and magnifies the vulva, vaginal walls, and uterine cervix in order to detect and examine abnormalities of these structures. The cervix is the base of the womb (uterus) and leads out to the birth canal (vagina). During colposcopy, special tests [acetic acid wash, use of color filters, and sampling (biopsy) of tissues] can be done. Colposcopy is not to be confused with culdoscopy, which is the insertion of an instrument through the wall of the vagina in order to view the pelvic area behind the vagina.
Why is colposcopy done?Colposcopy is usually done in one of two circumstances: to examine the cervix either when the result of a Pap smear is abnormal, or when the cervix looks abnormal during the collection of a Pap smear. Even if a Pap smear result is normal, colposcopy is ordered when the cervix appears visibly abnormal to the clinician performing the Pap smear. The purpose of the colposcopy is to determine what is causing the abnormal looking cervix or the abnormal Pap smear so that appropriate treatment can be given.
How is colposcopy done?A colposcope is a microscope that resembles a pair of binoculars. The instrument has a range of magnification lenses. It also has color filters that allow the physician to detect tiny abnormal blood vessels on the cervix. The colposcope is used to examine the vaginal walls and cervix through the vaginal opening.
Colposcopy is a safe procedure with no complicatio... Recommended Reading Related to ColposcopyWhat is a Pap smear?A Pap smear (also known as the Pap test) is a medical procedure in which a sample of cells from a woman's cervix (the end of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is collected and spread (smeared) on a microscope slide. The cells are examined under a microscope in order to look for pre-malignant (before-cancer) or malignant (cancer) changes. A Pap smear is a simple, quick, and relatively painless screening test. Its specificity - which means its ability to avoid classifying a normal smear as abnormal (a "false positive" result) - while very good, is not perfect. The sensitivity of a Pap smear - which means its ability to detect every single abnormality -- while good, is also not perfect, and some "false negative" results (in which abnormalities are present but not detected by the test) will occur. Thus, a few women develop cervical cancer despite having regular Pap screening. In the vas... Other Related Colposcopy ArticlesEmergency Contact for San Luis Obispo
Nearby San Luis Obispo Hospitals *Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center French Hospital Medical Center Atascadero State Hospital Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Twin Cities Community Hospital Marian Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Menopause
- Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
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Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
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Cervical Dysplasia
- Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which the cells of the inner lining of the cervix have precancerous changes. There are two types of cervical dysplasia; 1) squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 2) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection of the cervix with HPV (human papillomavirus). There are various diagnostic measures for cervical dysplasia. Treatment generally depends upon the progression of the dysplasia, mild, moderate, or severe.
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Genital Warts (HPV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. HPV is primarily transmitted by sexual contact. While some people develop warts in the genital region after infection, others experience no symptoms. Though genital warts can be removed, there is no cure for HPV infection. There is a vaccine to prevent infection from four common HPV types.
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Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
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Sexual Health
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