I had one done and found it to be no more uncomfortable then a regular pap. It's called colposcopy...the doc actually looks at the cervix with a special scope. A mixture (vinegar and water) is either brushed or smeared on the cervix...this turns suspect areas white. Any area that is suspicious is then snipped for a biopsy.

If the biopsy comes back abnormal then there are two different procedures that can be done...a LEEP, which is done in the office under local sedation, or a conization (cone biopsy), which is done as an outpatient surgery...these depend on the severity and extent of the abnormal cells. When a cone is done, the biopsy is done immediately (while the patient is still under), so the surgeon can be sure that all abnormal cells have been removed.