What is Colposcopy?
Colposcopy is a means of looking at the neck of the womb (cervix) with a magnifying instrument (colposcope). This helps the colposcopist to detect any abnormalities which are present on your cervix. When you come to the Colposcopy Clinic for the first time you will be seen by the doctor or nurse who will check your personal details and medical history. The significance of your referral to the clinic will be explained and what you can expect to happen during your appointment also.
You will be shown to an examination room and asked to remove your lower garments in private and put on a gown. You will then lie on a special couch; your legs will be supported on rests. Every effort will be made to ensure your privacy and dignity is maintained throughout the examination e.g. the examination room door will be locked.
Your nurse will be present throughout the examination and if you would like your partner or a friend to be present, just mention it to the clinic staff. A speculum will be gently inserted into your vagina to allow the colposcopist to see your cervix clearly. The colposcope does not go inside you; it is positioned about 30 cm away. The colposcopist uses the colposcope to magnify and direct light onto your cervix to assist with the examination.
A solution of weak acetic acid (mild white vinegar) is then dabbed over your cervix to help identify any abnormal areas. This should not hurt but some women say they feel a slight stinging sensation. Sometimes a solution of iodine is used. If an abnormal area is identified, a small amount of tissue called a punch biopsy will be removed for examination in the laboratory.
Strict guidelines exist for the management of abnormalities seen on the cervix. The clinic procedures follow the recommendations of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) and the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP).
All of our colposcopists are fully certified by the BSCCP for these procedures.
Why have I been referred to colposcopy clinic?
- Your cervical sample (smear) has been reported as inadequate
- Your GP / Practice Nurse had difficulty obtaining a satisfactory cervical sample.
- You have experienced bleeding after sex and / or between periods.
- Your GP / Practice Nurse is concerned about the appearance of your cervix.
Inadequate Cervical Sample:
You have been asked to attend the colposcopy clinic because your last cervical sample was unsatisfactory / inadequate. This means that it has not been possible to obtain a reliable result from your test, but it does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with your cervix. Inadequate samples are fairly common for a number of reasons:
- Too few cells have been seen for the laboratory to make an opinion.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy or after child birth have made it difficult to assess the smear.
- Inflammatory changes or an infection has made it difficult to assess the sample.
Your GP / Practice Nurse has had difficulty obtaining a cervical sample:
Occasionally it is difficult for your GP / Practice Nurse to see your cervix clearly. In colposcopy we have specialised equipment to enable us to examine you more easily and make the experience more comfortable.
If you are menopausal it is often sensible to use oestrogen cream prior to this visit. Oestrogen cream improves the vaginal tissue therefore making the examination more comfortable for you. Oestrogen cream does not readily become absorbed systemically so is safe to use for short periods.
Please ask your GP to prescribe an oestrogen cream / pessary preparation for you.
You have experienced bleeding after sex or between periods:
Your cervix will be examined using the colposcope and swabs may be taken to eliminate infection as a cause of this bleeding. You will be advised what to do if the tests are positive. The results may be telephoned to you or sent to you by letter and if necessary instructions will be given concerning treatment. If no cause is found for this bleeding and it persists, arrangements will be made for you to have further investigations by a gynaecologist.
Your GP is concerned about the appearance of your cervix:
Your cervix will be examined using the colposcope. If your cervix appears to be normal (sometimes simple cysts are seen which do not require any intervention) you will be reassured and discharged back to your GP’s care. If an area of abnormality is seen on your cervix then a biopsy will be taken.
This will either be a wedge biopsy (a small segment of tissue) or a loop biopsy of tissue which is a larger sample. This will be done after local anaesthetic is injected into the cervix. Although you will feel no pain you may feel some movement as the speculum is manipulated. The sample will be sent to the laboratory for urgent tests. The colposcopist will give you information regarding the potential abnormality on your cervix but it may not be possible to give a definite diagnosis until the results are back from the laboratory.
You will be given an information leaflet with the name and telephone number of the nurse practitioner so you can contact her for advice. Arrangements will be made to contact you regarding the results.
More information
For more information, please contact:
- The nurse practitioner on 0191 282 5670, within working hours Monday to Friday if you have any questions before your appointment. Alternatively please email jillygoodfellow@nhs.net
- Alternatively you can contact the colposcopy secretary on: 0191 282 5031
- Women’s Health Unit Nurses Station: 0191 282 0140
- Appointments: 0191 2820370
