Colposcopy

You might feel worried about having a colposcopy, but it’s a common procedure that rarely reveals cervical cancer – less than 1 in 1,000 women are told they have cervical cancer that needs immediate treatment. 

At Welbeck a colposcopy is performed by our consultant gynaecologists. To begin, your consultant will gently place a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina to open it. A large magnifying glass (a colposcope) will then be used to look at your cervix in more detail, but this will stay outside of your body. 

Different liquids are put on your cervix to help highlight any abnormal cells – this might cause a slight tingling or stinging sensation. Your consultant might also take small samples (biopsies) of any abnormal areas – they will first inject a local anaesthetic so you don’t feel any pain or discomfort. 

The test itself shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes, but you might be at the centre for a few hours in total. A colposcopy might feel a bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. If you feel any pain, let your consultant know. You can also ask them to stop at any time. 

How are abnormal cells treated?

If abnormal cells are found and if they're considered ‘high-grade’, you may have these removed during the same appointment. Otherwise, you’ll need to come back for another colposcopy to have this done.

During the treatment, you’ll be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your cervix while abnormal cells are removed. This means you'll be awake, but you won't feel any pain. It's a procedure called large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

Try not to worry – a colposcopy is a very safe procedure that comes with very few risks. Sometimes, if a biopsy is taken, there can be complications, such as:

• bleeding – it’s normal to have some light bleeding for up to 5 days after a biopsy

• infection – but the risk is small

If these things do happen, our expert team will be there to provide advice and support.

When you make your appointment, let us know if:

• you’ll be on your period on that same day

• you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant – it’s safe to have a colposcopy, but let us know before you attend. LLTEZ can only be performed once you’ve given birth

• you have a coil (IUD or Mirena)

• you’d like someone to be in the room with you at the same time (a chaperone)

In the 24 hours before your appointment, don’t:

• have penetrative vaginal sex

• use any products that you place inside your vagina, such as tampons, vaginal creams or medicines

At the time of your procedure, you’ll need to remove any clothing and jewellery from the waist down. Wearing a dress or a skirt that you only need to lift up (instead of taking off) can feel less daunting. Your consultant will also give you a sheet to put over yourself while you’re waiting

If you had a straightforward colposcopy, you can usually go home soon after it’s finished. You might notice some mild pain (similar to period pain) for a few days, but taking painkillers like paracetamol can help.

Mild bleeding and discharge from your vagina can also happen, especially if you had a biopsy, but this should settle within 5 days. To help the area around your cervix heal, avoid having sex or using a tampon until any bleeding stops, or for 5 days after your biopsy.

Recovering after LLETZ

If you had LLETZ treatment, bleeding can last longer – sometimes up to 4 weeks. For this period of time, don’t:

• have penetrative sex, or put anything inside your vagina

• use tampons or menstrual cups – use pads instead

• do any vigorous exercise – this could make the bleeding or pain worse

You’ll be invited to have a follow-up cervical screening with us sooner than usual (often after 3 months), to check that the treatment was successful.

Self-pay pricing for a colposcopy starts from £1,080.

At Welbeck, our gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a colposcopy, you must be referred by either your GP or a gynaecologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a gynaecologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.