Ask the Expert: Colposcopy

Q. What is it?
A. An examination of a woman’s vagina and cervix pumping vagina and cervix using a special instrument with a light source and magnifying lenses using a colposcope.  It allows your health care provider to see the cervix and vagina for cancer and abnormal areas that may become cancer.  The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes and doesn’t require anesthesia.

Q. What is it used for?
A. To check for cervical cancer or precancerous changes after you’ve had an abnormal Pap test, or as a follow-up to view an abnormal area seen during an earlier exam.  During this exam, your health care provider can remove a sample of tissue from the cervix for testing, called a biopsy.

Q. Preparation
A. Don’t take aspirin for about a week before the procedure.  Don’t douche or use vaginal creams or medications the day before the procedure.  Because you will need to remove your clothing from the waist down, try to wear a two-piece outfit with slacks or a skirt.  Also, because you might have a very small amount of bleeding from the procedure, or if you had a biopsy, from that, so bring a sanitary pad to wear afterwards.

Be sure to tell your health care provider about all the medications you take.  Also, it is very important to let your health care provider know if you’re pregnant.  Don’t stop using birth control before the procedure.

Because your period may make it more difficult to see inside the vagina, try to plan having the procedure when you’re not having your period.  If your period starts and you know you will still be bleeding the day of the procedure, then call your health care provider.

Q. How is it done?
A. Remove your clothing from the waist down. Cover yourself with the drape from the waist down. You will lie on your back on the exam table or chair with legs spread, knees bent, and heels placed in stirrups. A lubricated instrument, called a speculum, will be inserted into your vagina (like when you get a Pap test).  Sometimes, the vagina and cervix will be rinsed with a vinegar or iodine solution to make abnormal areas easier to see.

The colposcope (it looks like a microscope’s eye pieces) will be moved close to the outside of your body, and your health care provider will look through it at your cervix and vagina.  Sometimes pictures may be taken, and sometimes a computer screen will be positioned so you can see what the provider is seeing and doing.  If necessary, a small piece of tissue, called a biopsy, will be removed from an area that looks abnormal. It will feel like a little bee sting, and may cause some temporary mild cramping or a little discomfort.  If you take over-the-counter Ibuprofen before the procedure (or Advil or Motrin), it may help cut down on any discomfort.

The tissue removed will be sent to the lab’s pathologist for examination, and the health care provider should have the results in about 1-2 weeks.

Q. Follow Up
A. You can return to all of your normal activities right away, that same day.  Most health care providers recommend not having sex for at least 1-2 weeks, or if you’re bleeding, until the bleeding stops. 

If you had a biopsy, you may have mild bleeding but should have little or no pain.  Call your health care provider for your results if you haven’t heard anything in 2 weeks.  Keep in mind additional treatment may be necessary, especially if anything abnormal is found.

Q. Risks
A. There is a very small risk of infection or heavy bleeding, but generally it is a safe and painless procedure. 

Q. When to call a professional
A. Call right away if vaginal bleeding becomes heavy (using 1-2 pads every 2 hours or less).  Call if you have pelvic pain or discomfort, fever or a discolored and foul-smelling discharge.



Ask the Expert: Mittelschmerz – Pain between periods

What is it?

Severe midcycle pain and/or cramping during ovulation.  Ovulation usually occurs about 2 weeks after the 1st day of your last period.  Mittelschmerz occurs during ovulation when an egg is released by the ovaries into the fallopian tube.  For about 20% of women this causes severe pain and cramps on one side of the lower abdomen.  Although the pain may feel like something serious is wrong, midcycle pain or cramps – Mittelschmerz is rarely serious.

Some women feel pain in the abdomen or pelvis.  Some women don’t feel anything when an egg is being released from an ovary.  Other women may feel discomfort or pain off and on or constantly.

You may feel pain in the pelvis that can range from a sense of discomfort or a mild twinge to severe pain the mimics appendicitis.  It usually lasts a short period of time, from a few minutes to hours.  It often is felt in the lower abdomen or pelvis, either in the middle or on one side.  If the pain is severe, you may even have nausea.

How is it diagnosed?

It is usually easy to recognize because its timing is so characteristic.  Your health care provider will be able to determine that you are experiencing pain from ovulation based on your menstrual cycle, the location and description of your pain, and the results of an abdominal and pelvic exam.  It is important to let your health care provider know about any other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, changes in urination or changes in your bowel movements or appetite.

Additional blood tests, X-rays, a pelvic ultrasound or a CT scan may be necessary if your pain is severe or if your health care provider notices any unusual findings on your physical exam, such as a very tender abdomen or pelvis or an enlarged ovary.

How do I take care of myself?

  • Rest.
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
  • Use a heating pad (try making a homemade tube sock heating pad), or take warm baths to ease the pain.
  • Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, Advil, or Aleve.
  • Check your temperature several times a day to be sure you are not developing an infection.
  • Call your health care provider if the pain is severe and these self-help tips do not ease your midcycle pain.

If you experience midcycle ovulation pain that lasts longer than 2 or 3 days, experience heavy bleeding, or have any unusual vaginal discharge call your health care provider.  The longer episodes of pain may be due to lingering irritation from a small amount of bleeding, which sometimes happens when the egg is released.

What are the signs I might need emergency care?

  • Vomiting blood.
  • Blood in the stool.
  • Increased pain.
  • Faintness or dizziness.
  • High fever.
  • Difficult or painful urination.
  • Swollen abdomen.
  • Difficulty breathing.

How do I prevent it?

It usually is not necessary to prevent this mild, short-lived pain syndrome.  Birth control pills prevent ovulation and can be used to prevent mid-cycle pain.

What is the treatment?

Painful ovulation is generally brief, so using medication for pain relief usually is not necessary, other than over-the-counter pain medicines.

What is the prognosis?

Pain during ovulation does not have any dangerous consequences.

Ask the Expert

Diana Jones, RNC, MSN, WHNP

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

BSU Women’s Center



Lasers May Reduce Addictive Behavior

Other research studies focus on the use of non-pharmaceutical biological treatments, such as laser lights, as a means of eliminating addictions. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco discovered that exposing the prelimbic region of the brain to laser lights significantly reduces addictive behavior in cocaine-dependent rats. The study, which highlighted the importance of the prelimbic region in decision-making and behavioral flexibility, could help drive further research in humans.

I don’t know about you, but anything that involves lasers sounds pretty awesome. I picture a future where recovering persons arm themselves with a laser gun. Only this laser gun doesn’t harm others. On the contrary, the laser weapon is used whenever narcotic cravings arise. So once cravings begin, instead of acting on the desire, recovering people shoot themselves with laser guns. Where do I sign up?

Combining Technologies with Psychologial Therapies

Although many interesting biological treatments are currently in development, it’s important to remember that most biological treatments for substance addiction require the additional support of psychological therapies, such as counseling. The National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognize this and collaborate on products to assist substance abuse treatment programs in implementing technology-assisted care, which uses computerized systems to support in-person, clinician-provided approaches.

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT), designed by Kathleen Carroll and her colleagues at Yale University, is just one example of technology-assisted care currently in development. This web-based program teaches a range of cognitive behavioral therapy skills specific to substance addiction reduction through movies and examples. Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted at Yale University have shown that CBT4CBT can enhance treatment outcomes in people enrolled in a clinical program for substance addition. Research is currently underway to determine whether the treatment could also help those who are not involved in a clinical rehab program.

The incredibly complex nature of substance addiction means that the quest for a silver bullet may be never-ending. Promising new treatments are in sight, but researchers still have much work to do.

It’s important for those seeking treatment to do their homework when researching potential facilities. The world of for-profit addiction treatment is bright and flashy and glamorous, with many centers looking like plush, five-star resorts. There’s no evidence whatsoever that suggests a posh facility improves abstinence outcomes. And many centers engage in deceptive advertising, offering “cures” for addiction when no such cure exists.

Not to sounds cliché, but if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Just yesterday, I was interviewed for a story on reality star Scott Disick. He’s enrolled in a treatment program in Costa Rica that offers shaman-guided iboga flights (essentially a psychedelic trip with the help of a shaman). Many out-of-country rehab centers offer treatments with absolutely no evidence base. These alternative programs appeal to those looking for shortcuts to recovery.

As a recovering person myself, I know exactly why Scott went to this program. Treatment program 1 offers a therapeutic process that will challenge you to dig deep and uncover emotional areas you’d prefer to ignore. Treatment program 2 offers psychedelic trips with shaman.

Left up to me, it’s a no-brainer. Send me to the shaman. Fortunately, most in active addiction don’t get to choose where they go. That’s a good thing.

The future of addiction treatment looks bright as long as treatment centers incorporate the latest findings into their respective programs. Whether that happens, however, is yet to be seen



Finding New Uses for Old Drugs

While some researchers focus efforts on identifying and developing new treatments for substance addictions, others concentrate on finding new uses for existing drugs. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have found that the beta blocker propranolol, currently used to treat people with high blood pressure, is effective in preventing the brain from retrieving memories linked with cocaine use in rats.

The study marks the first time that a treatment has prevented the retrieval of memories linked to drug addiction, a driving force for relapse. The next step in their research is to determine what part of the brain propranolol acts on to block the retrieval of such memories. Imagine a drug that can entirely eliminate any memory of drug use. If developed, a drug like this would become an incredible asset for recovering persons to minimize the chance of relapse. Click here to buy MDMA for sale.

Euphoric recall is a predominant symptom of relapse. This term refers to a recovering person conjuring memories of past drug use in a positive fashion. Think of a quick montage from a movie glamorizing drug use – that’s precisely what euphoric recall is. But armed with a medication that reduces or eliminates euphoric recall, doctors can scratch off one symptom from relapse’s playbook.

In the quest to combat substance addiction, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the beta blocker propranolol. The study unveils a novel approach by demonstrating that propranolol, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, can effectively prevent the retrieval of memories associated with cocaine use in rats. This breakthrough marks the first instance of a treatment hindering the recollection of addiction-related memories, a pivotal factor contributing to relapse.

The potential implications of this research are profound. If further developed, a drug derived from propranolol or similar compounds could revolutionize addiction treatment. Imagine a medication capable of erasing memories of drug use, significantly reducing the likelihood of relapse for individuals in recovery. The researchers' next step, identifying the specific brain mechanism affected by propranolol, holds promise for refining this innovative approach.

In the ongoing battle against addiction, the prospect of a memory-erasing drug stands as a beacon of hope, offering a new frontier in the fight against relapse and enhancing the effectiveness of recovery strategies.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. How does propranolol prevent the retrieval of memories linked to drug addiction?

  • The study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee suggests that propranolol acts on the brain to impede the retrieval of memories associated with cocaine use. The specific neural mechanism targeted by propranolol is currently under investigation.

2. Why is preventing the retrieval of addiction-related memories significant?

  • Memories of drug use, particularly when recalled euphorically, are a potent driver for relapse. By developing a treatment that interferes with the retrieval of these memories, the likelihood of relapse can be significantly reduced, offering a promising avenue for addiction recovery.

3. Is propranolol currently used to treat addiction in humans?

  • Propranolol is not yet used as a direct treatment for drug addiction in humans. The current research has been conducted in rats, and further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of propranolol or similar drugs in human subjects.

4. What is euphoric recall, and how does it contribute to relapse?

  • Euphoric recall is a phenomenon where individuals in recovery reminisce about past drug use in a positive light. This mental glorification of drug use can increase the risk of relapse. The use of a medication that reduces or eliminates euphoric recall could be a valuable tool in preventing relapse in individuals undergoing addiction treatment.

5. When can we expect this treatment to be available for human use?

  • The timeline for the development of a treatment based on propranolol for human use is uncertain. Further research is needed to understand the full scope of its effectiveness, safety, and the specific brain mechanisms involved. Clinical trials and regulatory approvals would also be necessary before any potential treatment becomes widely available.