Colposcopy Center - Tacoma, WA
Tacoma 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 Tacoma * St Joseph Medical Clinic  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  Baghdadi & Jung MDs  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  Baghdadi & Jung MDs  Tacoma Women's Specialists  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  Tacoma Women's Specialists  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  MultiCare Ob/Gyn & Assoc  Loren Finley MD  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  Group Health Tacoma Medical Center  GYFT Clinic PLLC  GYFT Clinic PLLC  Hay San Meas MD  Community Health Center  Pearl Place Womens Care  Estelle Yamaki MD  University Place Medical Clinic  Edward Williams MD  Michael S Davidov MD  Youl Choi MD  Lakewood Clinic  Donald H Song MD  Virginia Mason Federal Way  St Francis Women's Health Care  St Francis Women's Health Care  Storks PLLC  Barbara Levy MD  Sanders S Blakeney MD  Michael B Smith MD  Northwest Women's Clinic  Patty J Kulpa MD  Good Samaritan Womens Center  Good Samaritan Womens Center  J Michaelson MD  Good Samaritan Womens Center  Good Samaritan Womens Center  Good Samaritan Womens Center  Dedicated Womens Health Specialists  Dedicated Womens Health Specialists  Puyallup Valley Womens Clinic Inc  Valley Women's Health Care  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Valley Women's Health Care  Valley Women's Health Care  Highline Women's Health Ctr  Highline Women's Health Ctr  Highline Women's Health Ctr  Highline Women's Health Ctr  Three Tree Women's Clinic  Three Tree Women's Clinic  Three Tree Women's Clinic  Three Tree Women's Clinic  Highline Woman's Clinic  Womens Health Specialists  Womens Health Specialists  Womens Health Specialists  Womens Health Specialists  Womens Health Specialists  Valley Women's Clinic PLLC  Valley Women's Clinic PLLC  Valley Women's Clinic PLLC  Associated Valley Ob/Gyn  Associated Valley Ob/Gyn  Associated Valley Ob/Gyn  Associated Valley Ob/Gyn  Associated Valley Ob/Gyn  Sea Mar Community Health Center  VA Puget Sound Health Care System  OB/GYN Associates  OB/GYN Associates  Covington Primary Care  Fairwood Primary Care  Covington Multicare Clinic OB/GYN  Kent & Covington Multicare Facility  Covington Multicare Clinic OB/GYN  Bina C Souri MD  Harborview Medical Center Women's Clinic  Harborview Medical Center Madison Clinic  Harborview Medical Center Women's Clinic  Harborview Medical Center Women's Clinic  Harborview Medical Center Women's Clinic  Michael E Greer MD  Virginia Mason Clinic Gynecology  Virginia Mason Clinic Gynecology  Virginia Mason Clinic Gynecology  The Polyclinic Obstetrics & Gynecology  The Polyclinic Obstetrics & Gynecology  Swedish Physician for Women  Pacific Gynecology Specialists  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Northwest Women's Health Care Tacoma, WashingtonUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Tacoma
Nearby Tacoma Hospitals *Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Center St Joseph Medical Center Tacoma General Hospital Pierce County Human Services Allenmore Hospital St Francis Hospital Saint Clare Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital & Community Healthcare Auburn Regional Medical Center Highline Medical Center Main Campus Valley Medical Center Schick Shadel Hospital Highline Medical Center Specialty Campus The Regional Hospital for Respiratory & Complex Care West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital Enumclaw Regional Hospital VA Puget Sound Health Care System Providence St Peter Hospital Harrison Medical Center Harborview Medical Center Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill Campus Swedish Medical Center First Hill Campus Virginia Mason Medical Center Group Health Central Hospital Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Overlake Hospital Medical Center University of Washington Medical Center Capital Medical Center Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center Group Health Eastside Hospital Kindred Hospital Seattle Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Fairfax Hospital Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Mason General Hospital 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. |
Suggested Reading on Colposcopy by Our Doctors
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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
- Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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