1. Method
   • Triaging of abnormal cytologic, virologic, or clinical findings
     • Abnormal smears suggestive of precancer or cancer: class III, IV or V
     • Smears or washings, positive for high risk HPV
     • Unclassified clinical abnormality of the lower genital tract: cervix, vagina, vulva, perineum and/or anus

Colposcopy is a triaging tool.

Initially, colposcopy was inaugurated to screen women for the presence of cancer or precancer. However, after invention of the Pap smear, colposcopy fell behind, mainly due to its low specificity. Today, colposcopy is mainly used for triaging women with a history of abnormal Pap smears or for those who have been found positive for high risk HPV or for women diagnosed with abnormal clinical findings of the lower genital tract.