Manual for the standardization of colposcopy for the evaluation of vaginal products
Update 2004
Colposcopy of the vagina and cervix is used to detect epithelial changes that may increase the likelihood of acquisition of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. In 1995, WHO convened a meeting to address the technique and nomenclature for this type of colposcopy and published the first edition of this manual. This was revised in 1999. A further update, referred to as “Update 2000,” shortened the procedure by eliminating the use of a green filter and acetic acid and simplified recording of findings. In 2003, a conference entitled “Assessing inflammation and epithelial integrity in vaginal product research” further revised the 2000 manual (now called “Update 2004”) for the colposcopy procedure. The main differences between the 2000 and 2004 updates are the reintroduction of descriptors, clarification of recording of non-colposcopic findings, and redesigning of the data collection form.