This information aims to answer your questions about having a colposcopy. It explains the benefits, risks and alternatives, as well as what you can expect when you come to hospital.
Having a Colposcopy examination
This leaflet aims to answer your questions about having a colposcopy. It explains the benefits, risks and alternatives, as well as what you can expect when you come to hospital.
If you have any further questions please contact our Colposcopy unit during the hours of 08.30-17.00 - Cumberland Infirmary Colposcopy secretary 01228 814220 or booking clerk 01228 814213
Colposcopy specialist nurse Tel 01228 814220
What is colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a test used to see whether there are abnormal cells in your cervix and if so, how serious they are. This is a follow-up to your cervical screening test (which used to be called a smear) or an examination at the request of your doctor. A specialist (called a colposcopist), in an outpatient clinic will take a close look at your cervix using a magnifying lens and light (called a colposcope). They may take a small sample (a biopsy) to check any areas of your cervix, which look abnormal.
Why do I need a colposcopy?
You may have been invited to have colposcopy for one of the following reasons:
- Abnormal cells on your cervical screening result
- Persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) with normal cells
- The nurse or doctor who examined your cervix were concerned about its appearance.
Being offered a colposcopy does not mean you have cancer. Most women who have a colposcopy will not go on to develop cancer. Early treatment can prevent an abnormality from becoming cancer.
We strongly recommend that you keep your appointment and attend it. If you do not attend your appointment and then change your mind, you will have to wait to have another appointment. Should you fail to attend on two occasions you may be discharged from the service.
Are there any alternatives to colposcopy?
There are no alternatives. If you have an abnormal smear result and are advised to have a colposcopy, this is the only way that we can investigate this abnormality further.
How can I prepare for a colposcopy examination or treatment?
You do not need to do anything specific to prepare for your colposcopy examination. You do not need to bring anyone with you, but a lot of women like to bring someone so that they have someone to talk to in the waiting room and take them home after the procedure if they are feeling unwell. It is unlikely that you’ll feel unwell, but it does occasionally happen.
It is very important that you eat and drink before you come to the clinic. Do not fast. It is also a good idea to read the information leaflets that we give/send to you.
If you are on your period, we would still advise you to attend.
We advise all patients to allow two hours in the department from their appointment time. We do not anticipate you being in the department for the whole two hours. However we cannot foresee what may happen in any one clinic, and would rather you do not feel rushed after your appointment to get back to work, pick up your children, and so on. We recommend you pay for two hours parking.
If you are planning to go abroad soon after your appointment, please advise the Colposcopist on the day of your appointment. We will not perform a loop diathermy or cold coagulation treatment if you are due to travel abroad within two weeks of your appointment, this is because of the small risk of bleeding and other complications and your holiday insurance cover may be affected.
What happens during a colposcopy examination?
You will be seen in the colposcopy unit which is located in the Women’s Outpatients Department in either the Cumberland Infirmary or West Cumberland Hospital.
As North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS foundation Trust is a teaching hospital, a medical or nursing professional may wish to observe the clinic on the day that you are there. We will always ask for your consent (permission) before allowing any observations to take place. You can say no at any time, even if you have said yes before, and this will not affect your care in any way.
Before the examination, the colposcopist (the doctor or nurse performing the colposcopy) will ask you questions about your medical history. You will be asked to undress from the waist down (a loose skirt does not need to be removed) and given a sheet to wrap around you. A toilet will be available. The nurse who is looking after you and assisting the colposcopist will then help you to get into a comfortable position on the examination couch.
The colposcopy examination usually takes around 15 minutes.
During the examination a device called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina and opened to show your cervix (neck of your womb), similar to when you had your screening test. The colposcopist then uses a colposcope, which is a type of magnifying glass that allows them to look closely at the cervix. No part of the colposcope goes inside you. You will have the option to look at your cervix on a screen. A liquid is then applied to the cervix to show the colposcopist where any abnormal cells might be coming from. They may take tiny samples of tissues (called biopsies) from your cervix. Some women say that the biopsy is painless, while others say that it is slightly uncomfortable and gives them crampy, period-like pains. This crampy pain often only lasts for a few minutes.
Most women feel well enough to go back to home or back to work. You may get some discharge from the liquids used during colposcopy.
For the next few days you may experience light bleeding if you had a biopsy taken. This is normal and usually stops after 2-7 days. It is best to use pads rather than tampons, avoid sex, lubricant and creams until the bleeding stops. We advise showering rather than bathing whilst bleeding. If you have a biopsy taken you will receive a patient information leaflet at your appointment explain what to expect and after care.
Colposcopy results
If you have had samples taken (biopsies, swabs or smear tests) these are sent to the laboratory, where they will be checked. The colposcopist will write to you with the results within four weeks. You will be told in the letter what the results of any investigations are and whether you need to come back for treatment, or when we would like to see you again or whether we are discharging you back to the care of your GP.
If I need treatment, what will happen?
Please see additional leaflet enclosed with your appointment.
What risks are associated with colposcopy to the cervix?
There are no risks associated with having a colposcopy examination itself.
What shall I do if I have problem or concern?
- contact or visit your GP
- contact the colposcopy clinic on tel. 01228 814220, 01228 814213
- call NHS 111
- go to A&E in the event of an emergency
Commonly asked questions
What if I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant and have had an abnormal result, we would still like to see you. A colposcopic examination can safely be performed when you are pregnant, however, you should phone us for further advice.
Although we might still perform a colposcopy, it is not usual for us to undertake a treatment during pregnancy.
We will also ask about dates of your last period. If there is a chance you may be pregnant, we may perform a pregnancy test.
If you are pregnant when you are due to have the procedure to remove the abnormal cells, we will defer your treatment until after you have had your baby. Please let us know your expected date of delivery when you come to see us.
The doctor or nurse looking after you may want to monitor the abnormal cells throughout your pregnancy. They will do this by asking you to come for another colposcopy while you are pregnant. This does not harm your baby. You will be asked to come back to the colposcopy unit 12 weeks after the birth of your baby so that we can have another look at your cervix. We may also perform any treatment at this time.
Giving my consent (permission)
We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with the colposcopy examination, you will be asked to give your consent verbally. This means that you agreed to have the examination and you understand what it involves.
If you would like more information about our consent process, please speak to a member of staff caring for you.
If a small biopsy is required
Following a small biopsy we would expect you to have some light bleeding for up to two to seven days.
Avoid tampons, vaginal intercourse and bathing (you can shower) for 2-7 days. This is to allow time for your cervix to heal and to lessen the risk of bleeding and infection.
Infection
If you have a vaginal discharge which has an offensive (bad) smell following a biopsy, it may indicate that you have an infection. Please go to your GP who may decide to prescribe antibiotics.
Pain
Most women say that the colposcopy examination is not painful. If anything, women report slight discomfort, and this is usually related to the speculum that we have to use to keep the vaginal walls open. You may experience some pain if you have to have a biopsy – some women say that the biopsy is painless, while others say that it hurts slightly and gives them crampy, period-like pains. This crampy pain often only lasts for a few minutes and usually responds to simple painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Please note our colposcopy clinic has a select and treat policy
If you have been referred with high grade dyskaryosis (moderate/severe), glandular neoplasia, borderline change in endocervical cells we offer assessment and possible treatment at the first clinic visit. If appropriate an additional treatment leaflet will be enclosed.
Useful sources of information
The websites recommended below are run by cancer charities, but this does not mean that you have cancer. These websites are the ones we believe have the most detailed information, which we hope may help answer more of your questions.
Cancer Research
http://www.cruk.org/
Tel: 0808 800 4040
Macmillan
www.macmillan.org.uk
Jo's cervical cancer trust
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/
Tel: 0808 802 8000
NHS website
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical
You can find more detailed information on cervical screening, including the sources of evidence used in writing this leaflet:
Informed choice about cancer screening
http://informedchoiceaboutcancerscreening.org/
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302