What happens during an anoscopy?
An anoscopy may be done in a provider's office or outpatient clinic.
During an anoscopy:
You will put on a gown and remove your underwear.
You will lie on an exam table. You will either lie on your side or kneel on the table with your rear end raised in the air.
Your provider will gently insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your anus to check  for hemorrhoids, fissures, or other problems. This is known as digital rectal exam.
Your provider will then insert a lubricated tube called an anoscope about two inches into your anus.
Some anoscopes have a light on the end to give your provider a better view of the anus and lower rectum area.
If your provider finds cells that don't look normal, he or she may use a swab or other tool to collect a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). High resolution anoscopy may be better than regular anoscopy at finding abnormal cells.
During a high resolution anoscopy:
Your provider will insert a swab coated with a liquid called acetic acid through the anoscope and into the anus.
The anoscope will be removed, but the swab will remain.
The acetic acid on the swab will cause abnormal cells to turn white.
After a few minutes, your provider will remove the swab and reinsert the anoscope, along with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope.
Using the colposcope, your provider will look for any cells that have turned white.
If abnormal cells are found, your provider will take a biopsy.
