Understanding Colposcopy: What to Expect & Why It's Important

Question
Hello, I am a healthy 20 year old who was asked to have a colposcopy after having a regular pap smear. My gynocologist said that there were some abnormal cells that needed to be examed closely. First, I have been sexually active with the same guy for almost 3 and half years. We are engaged and plan to be married soon. He is healthy with no known health problems. Also, I have been on birth control for about 2 years, and I have recently come off of it. A lady at the office asked me if I took hot baths frequently, and I do. I am supposed to go back in a week to get my results, but I am so nervous. I have done much research on colposcopy exams and have found that it is common to find cancer. Since having the procedure, I have had a grey-colored discharge that has the worst odor. I have been cramping terribly bad. I am supposed to have my period soon, but there is no sign of it except for the cramps.  Please help me...what is going on?  Thank you so much!  

Answer
We perform PAP smear every year to determine if there are any signs of cervical cancer. Since the early 50s, PAP smears have been able to help prevent cancer of the cervix. The spectrum of a PAP smear is as follows: normal---ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermine significance)---LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion)---HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) --- CIS (carcinoma in situ)---invasive cancer. Our job is to pull back the PAP results to normal. If we get a result of ASCUS or LSIL, we can repeat the PAP in 6 months to 1 year. If we get the same result again, we perform a colposcopy. A colposcopy is merely a closer look at the cervix (17 times magnification) and biopsies to make sure there is nothing abnormal. WE DO NOT ALWAYS FIND CANCER ON COLPOSCOPY. If the biopsies are abnormal, we can freeze the area or cut it out. Usually, the results of the colposcopy show a normal finding and we then merely follow with PAP smears in 6 months. If all is fine in 6 months, we go back to  yearly. Don't worry.