What does it mean if your colposcopy results are abnormal?

Abnormal colposcopy results can indicate the presence of sores, genital warts or other types of infections in the vagina or on the cervix, according to WebMD. If abnormal tissue is found on the cervix, doctors generally also perform a cervical biopsy.

During a colposcopy, vinegar or iodine is placed on the cervix to make abnormal tissues on its surface more visible, explains WebMD. If abnormal cervical tissue is detected, doctors take a sample of that tissue, known as a biopsy, and analyze it under a microscope to detect cervical cancer. The most common reasons for colposcopies are abnormal Pap tests or positive tests for human papilomavirus.