What is a colposcopy?
Colposcopy is an examination to look more closely at the cervix (neck of the womb) or vulva. The examination is carried out by a doctor or nurse who is a specialist in colposcopy. The instrument used is called a colposcope and this magnifies the cervix or vulva.
Who needs to attend colposcopy?
We see people with conditions including:
- Pre-cancerous abnormal cervical cells (CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) and abnormal appearance of the cervix referred to us by GPs (doctors).
- Signs and symptoms related to the health of your cervix such as abnormal bleeding
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
- Pre-cancerous abnormalities of the vulva (VIN – vulval intraepithelial neoplasia).
- Skin conditions of the vulva (such as lichen sclerosis, lichen planus, dermatological problems).
- Vulvodynia
What are the conditions and specialist clinics offered?
- Consultant and Nurse-led clinics
- Joint gynaecological and dermatological vulval clinic
Across the range of conditions we offer:
- Diagnosis by colposcopic examination. Biopsies (small samples of tissue) may be taken to help us make a diagnosis.
- Checking for pre-cancerous changes to the cells on the cervix and vulva.
- Treatment to the cervix (LLETZ) and vulva (excision under local anaesthetic).
All Colposcopists are accredited (BSCCP) and regularly audited to ensure standards are met.
What happens at my appointment?
The Colposcopy clinic is in the Gynaecology Outpatient department. When you arrive please go to the reception desk where staff will check your personal details. You can then take a seat in the waiting area ready for your appointment.
We aim to see you as close to your appointment time as possible, but please be patient if there are delays that we could not have expected beforehand. You will then be called for your colposcopy, where you will meet the colposcopist (who may be a doctor or nurse specialist) and the support nurse who will be with you during the examination.
During the colposcopy appointment, the colposcopist will ask you some questions, write down your medical history and explain the procedure to you. Following this, the support nurse will show you to the examination couch and help you to prepare for the colposcopy. The colposcopist will then carry out the examination.
How long your appointment takes will depend on whether any other procedures are necessary, but it is usually takes no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
Having a colposcopy at St James’s Hospital in Leeds
Hello and welcome, I’m Lauren a nurse colposcopist here at St James’s Hospital. My name is Michelle and I am a nurse colposcopist too, here at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.
We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our colposcopy department and show you around.
This is one of our examination rooms and this is where you’ll be seen and assessed.
It’s so important to go for your routine smear test at the GP, if you ever do get an abnormal result this is where we would see you at colposcopy.
When you first arrive we’ll go over your results, take a brief medical history and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Once we’ve finished asking you some questions we’ll ask you to come over to this area here and undress from the waist down and with a cover sit yourself on this chair and cover yourself. We do have an assistant in the room as well so she’ll be able to help you and obviously your relative can stay in or your friend at all times.
Initially the colposcopy starts a lot like when you go to the doctors for your smear test. We pass a speculum and that allows us to see your cervix. We then use a colposcope, this just magnifies your cervix to help us see it close-up. It stays external to you at all times.
This is the recovery area where we’ll make you a drink after your colposcopy.
We know you’ll feel very anxious and worried about attending our department but we hope that by showing you around today that you will feel much more comfortable about coming. Thank you.
What happens after my appointment?
A letter with the results of any smear or biopsy taken during the colposcopy will be sent to your home address with a copy sent to your GP. If you have not received this letter 6 – 8 weeks after your appointment date, we would advise you to contact the clinic directly.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to bring to my clinic appointment?
You will need to bring your appointment letter. You might find it helpful to write down any questions that you have for the doctor or nurse colposcopist.
What should I do if I have a period on the day of my colposcopy appointment?
We would encourage you to attend your appointment. If your period flow is heavy you may wish to ring the clinic to check if it would be more appropriate to re-arrange your appointment. If you feel awkward about having an examination, please do not hesitate to contact us to change the date and time of your appointment.
Can I have sex in the week before I have a colposcopy?
You do not need to avoid sexual intercourse before you have a colposcopy, unless you have a coil fitted. If this is the case, please use an extra method of contraception for 7 days before your appointment, as sometimes it is necessary to remove the coil before you have treatment.
What happens if I am pregnant or think I might be?
It is important that you keep your colposcopy appointment. A colposcopy can be carried out quite safely during pregnancy, but any investigations will usually be postponed until after the pregnancy. When you come for your appointment, we can discuss this with you.
Will having a colposcopy affect my fertility or sex life?
Having a colposcopy does not affect your fertility or sex life. However, different procedures and treatments may have different effects and we will be happy to discuss this with you at your appointment. If you have LLETZ treatment you will need to avoid sexual intercourse for 4 weeks.
Can I travel abroad following LLETZ treatment?
We would recommend that you do not travel abroad in the 4 weeks after your LLETZ treatment. You will not be covered by travel insurance if you need medical care abroad for a complication following your LLETZ treatment. We can discuss this at your appointment if needed.
Changing your appointment
If you need to change your appointment for any reason, please telephone the number provided on your appointment letter as soon as possible so that your appointment can be offered to another patient. We will automatically discharge and refer you back to your doctor (GP) if you fail to attend your first appointment on two occasions.
Useful Links
- Colposcopy – NHS – information including what a colposcopy is, why it’s done, getting ready, what happens on the day and your results
- Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – a registered charity dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix.
- British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease – useful resources including a Vulval Self Examination leaflet and video
- Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ) – information about LLETZ, the most common treatment for cervical cell changes
- NHS Cervical Screening Programme – information on the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, including commissioning, quality assurance, education and training.
- British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology – information about colposcopy, cervical cancer, HPV infection and vaccination
Contact us
If you have any questions about your referral or treatment, you can telephone the colposcopy clinic to speak to one of our nurses or specialist nurse colposcopists:
St James’s University Hospital
Chancellors Wing, Level 1
Gynaecology Outpatients, Colposcopy Department
Telephone Number – 0113 206 7434
Wharfedale Hospital
North Entrance, Ground floor, Out Patient Department
Telephone Number – 0113 392 1559