Anoscopy

An anoscopy is a procedure that uses a special lighted scope called an anoscope or anal speculum. An anoscope allows your health care provider to view the lining of your lower rectum and anus to check for signs of injury or disease. Your lower rectum is the last few inches of your large intestine.

This is where your body stores stool (poop) before it passes out of your body. Your anus is the opening of the rectum to the outside of your body. This is where your digestive tract ends and your stool leaves your body.

A related procedure is called a high-resolution anoscopy. This procedure uses a special magnifying device called a colposcope along with the anoscope to view these areas. A colposcope may detect small changes in your tissues that the anoscope alone may miss.

An anoscopy can help your provider find problems in the anus and rectum, including hemorrhoids, fissures (tears), and abnormal growths.

Why this test is done

You may need this test if you have symptoms of a problem in your anus or rectum. These may include:

• Blood in your stool or on toilet paper after a bowel movement
• Itching around your anus
• Swelling or hard lumps around your anus
• Discharge from your anus
• Painful bowel movements
• Difficulty having or holding a bowel movement

People who have HIV may also need this test as part of an anal cancer screening. This screening is done to help detect and treat precancer (which can turn into cancer) and prevent anal cancer:

• Your provider may recommend an anoscopy as part of the screening if you are:
• Under age 35 and have symptoms or signs of anal cancer
• Your provider may recommend lab screening, along with a high resolution anoscopy if you have symptoms or signs of anal cancer, as part of the screening if you are:
• A man who has sex with men and are age 35 or older
• All other people with HIV age 45 or older

How to prepare

You may want to empty your bladder and/or have a bowel movement before the test. This may make the procedure more comfortable.

Your provider might suggest that you avoid putting anything (like medicines and other products) into your anus for 24 hours before the test. This would also include avoiding anal sex. They will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

Sample type

Tissue/Biopsy