Is colposcopy used to diagnose HPV?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

There are some differences between the tests that you have done. I will try to explain it. A Pap smear is a test used to screen for cancerous or precancerous cells in the cervix. It is basically a screening test for cervical cancer. As it is just a screening test, it cannot diagnose if you have any foci of cancer over the cervix. It just shows the characteristics of cells shown in smears.

HPV testing is a test done to detect the causative agent of cervical cancer, which is human papillomavirus. It spreads through sexual contact. Based on the genomic sequence, they are categorized into various types. Warts are caused by low-risk types that are 6 and 11, whereas there are 12 high-risk types that can cause cervical cancer. These can be detected in HPV (human papillomavirus) testing.

The high-risk ones are caused by types 16 and 18. When a woman starts her sexual activity, approximately 70 to 80 percent of women get an HPV infection. But it gets cleared within one to two years, and so we do not do this test for women below 30 years.

As you have a positive result, it indicates a high risk of having precancerous changes or a risk of having cervical cancer in the future. Colposcopy is a test done to visualize the cervix under high magnification. It helps to look for any deviation from normal and to look for any changes in the cervix, whether there is the presence of abnormal or precancerous cells.

After that, biopsies are taken from that particular abnormal site, and they are subjected to histopathological examination. As your colposcopy findings are normal, you can repeat your test after six to twelve months. Repeat cytology and HPV testing. If your repeat screening test results are negative, then you can follow screening protocols like other women.

Kindly share your reports of HPV and Pap smear to guide you further.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.