Colposcopy in pregnancy

Abstract

The management of the abnormal smear in pregnancy remains a challenge to the modern colposcopist. Colposcopy in pregnancy is difficult. Anatomic variants can mimic disease. Significant cytologic overall detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions demands an increased understanding of physiologic variants in pregnancy. Possible recent increases in cervical cancer incidence in younger women requires comprehensive knowledge of warning signs of early invasion. Modern management approaches must temper the need for accurate exclusion of cancer with the risk of overly aggressive interference in patients without disease or with very minor atypia.