the healthy human
Amber Beckenhauer, DO
Board Certified Family Physician
Founder/Owner/CEO
TM
Colposcopy
What Is a Colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a dynamic new service offered by The Healthy Human. Instead of referring patients away from our office, you can have this helpful procedure done by our trustworthy health care staff. This diagnostic procedure is a thorough examination of the cervix and vaginal area for abnormalities or disease. Just like any medical procedure, you should know all the facts, so please read the information below, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!
When Is a Colposcopy Performed?
When a woman has an abnormal pap smear, a colposcopy is a good option to have. This procedure can detect inflammation of the cervix, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer. It is also often used with a biopsy because of its effectiveness in detecting these cancers.
How Is a Colposcopy Performed?
We will perform your colposcopy in our hospital and surgical center. This ensures a clean, safe, and trusted environment for you during this diagnostic procedure. The actual procedure only takes 10-15 minutes. We place a speculum in the vaginal area, which holds open the vagina. A tool called a colposcope is then used to illuminate the inside of the vagina and allow us to examine any abnormalities.
What Are the Risks of a Colposcopy?
A colposcopy is generally a low-risk procedure. We are happy to discuss the few risks with you, so please contact us. For instance, we do not recommend scheduling a colposcopy during your menstrual cycle or having intercourse 1-2 days prior.
Results of a Colposcopy
If a biopsy is performed at the same time, we will send the sample to a lab for testing. The results of your colposcopy may require immediate treatment. However, another colposcopy may be performed to gather further information. In other cases, no further steps would be recommended. The Healthy Human would certainly take the time to discuss your results with you.
One such possibility in the case of abnormal pathology being confirmed is the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure.
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
What Is LEEP?
Historically, cervical cancer has been a leading cause of death for women in the US. In the past several decades, that rate has been falling, in no large part due to better testing and treatment procedures like those offered at The Healthy Human.
The LEEP involves using a thin wire loop electrode to remove the affected tissue of the cervix. This allows us to send the tissue to the lab for extensive testing, while ensuring the complete removal of the affected tissue. The LEEP only takes 20-30 minutes to perform.
Recovery time is typically only several days. There are possible side effects and we will discuss them with you in great detail. The Healthy Human staff will also advise you on how long to abstain for intercourse, and to avoid heavy lifting and other activities.
Contact us for more information today on scheduling, costs, insurance reimbursement, etc!
Our Services
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Our number one goal is to deliver outstanding patient care in a comfortable and friendly environment. Although our waiting room is quite inviting, we would like to offer you the gift of time and allow you the chance to enjoy life outside of a medical clinic. Another way to be of service is by offering low cost procedures, and a list of medications in house for easy access when you need them. See our list of benefits/pricing for more details and break down of services.
Our goal is to take care of you ALWAYS! This means you can start your care here before pregnancy, and we will provide your obstetric needs, including delivery.
Dr. Beckenhauer has privileges to deliver and care for you at MCH&HS (Blair). She can deliver you vaginally or by Cesarean Section at these locations.
We provide personalized pediatric care that your child deserves. As healthcare providers, and even more importantly as parents, we want easy access for medical care when our loved ones are ill. At the Healthy Human, you are able to reach us easily to address your needs.
We get it, being healthy does't come overnight! We also understand that losing weight cannot happen unless our bodies are in BALANCE. For further information, please see our pricing on consultations, lab testing at low cost, and treatment. We also carry Physician prescribed supplements and the Revision, and OBAGI, Skincare line to help you achieve your health and beauty goals as well!
If you currently have an illness and would need IV fluids, we are here to help you get back on your feet again as quick as possible. Dr. Beckenhauer has worked in an Emergency Room setting and she understands the fees and wait time. Just call/email/text us, we will have you come in and determine if it is appropriate for you to receive them at our clinic.
Contact Us
The Healthy Human is committed to providing quality and comprehensive healthcare. To learn more about our clinic and how we can help you, get in touch with us today.