Private Colposcopy in London

We are a leading private colposcopy clinic in London. Our colposcopist offers a colposcopy test to examine the cervix, vulva and vagina which detects a pre-cancerous change of the cervix for women. Our gynecology department has the DYSIS colposcope for colposcopy that identifies lesions of the lower genital tract. This state-of-the-art device enables:

• An easy and precise way with computer technology to detect lesions on the cervix that needs a biopsy.
• Patients to see images in real time with the service provider.

What is Colposcopy?

Colposcopy is an examination that enables the doctor to see the kind and area of abnormality on your cervix. It allows the consultant to decide if you require immediate treatment.

The instrument is known as a colposcope and is actually a large magnifying glass that helps the doctor look more closely at the changes on your cervix.
It will not go inside you. The examination involves minimal pain for most women. Some may find it uncomfortable.

Colposcopy should be done in a safe way during pregnancy and will not affect your baby’s delivery or your ability to get pregnant in the future.  However, the treatment is usually postponed till the delivery of your baby.

Symptoms of Complications after a Colposcopy

You should call our doctor when experiencing any of these after a colposcopy:

• Chills
• Fever

Bleeding that is heavier than you usually experience during your period.

To Prepare for a Colposcopy Examination

We recommend that when preparing for colposcopy, you should:

• Avoid scheduling your colposcopy during your period.
• Avoid vaginal intercourse the day or two days before your colposcopy.
• Avoid using vaginal medications two days before going to your colposcopy appointment.
• Avoid using tampons a day or two days before your colposcopy.
• Avoid taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), before your colposcopy.

While waiting for your colposcopy exams, you may generally feel uncomfortable due to anxiety, so we urge you to relax.

Treatment of Colposcopy

The result of your colposcopy will determine whether you will need any further testing and treatment.

What Happens During a Colposcopy

Liquid tests

Your colposcopist usually puts some liquid on the cervix to show areas where there are cell changes.

Mostly, colposcopists use the combination of acetic acid and Schiller’s iodine tests:

• Acetic acid, also called dilute vinegar, is a weak acidic liquid. The colposcopist usually applies it to your cervix with either a spray or cotton wool ball that shows cell changes by making them appear white.
• Schiller's iodine test uses an iodine solution that stains the cervical tissue in dark brown. Cell changes might not stain and so, the colposcopist will see them.

Taking a biopsy

Your colposcopist might require a sample of tissue from the cervix. This is also known as a punch biopsy.

A biopsy only requires a small sample of tissue and so, most people do not opt for a local anaesthetic. If you need to take local anaesthetic, ask your colposcopist.

Your colposcopist will explain in detail the biopsy before taking it. Some people will find it uncomfortable, however, it should not be painful. If it hurts you, ask your colposcopist to stop.

Your colposcopist will require somewhere between 1 to 3 biopsies to be sure that they have sufficient tissue from different areas of the cervix. Only then, they will send samples of tissue to the lab where it can get tested.

If you have any further queries about colposcopy or want to schedule an appointment, then you may call us or visit our clinic. Your health is extremely important for us.

After Care a Colposcopy Treatment

If the treatment had been given after colposcopy, then you may have a bloodstained discharge for at least two to four weeks.

During this phase of time and when you have periods, you should use sanitary towels rather than tampons. It is advised to avoid heavy exercise and not have regular sex so that the cervix can heal quickly.

The treatment for CIN will either have little or no effect on neither the fertility in future nor your risk of having a miscarriage.

Your Appointment for Private Colposcopy at Our Clinic

A colposcopy appointment usually requires somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes.

1. During the appointment, your colposcopist will invite you to an examination room. He will explain what will happen during the appointment. You may use this time to ask any question that you may have regarding the topic.
2. Your colposcopist will provide you with a private space to undress from the waist down and ask you to lie on an examination bed. Some clinics have an additional screen just next to your bed if you want to watch the examination.
3. Your colposcopist will put a clean speculum gently into your vagina at the time of cervical screening. A speculum is a plastic cylinder with a round end. Sometimes, a metal speculum is used.
4. Your colposcopist uses a microscope by using light at the end for a detailed analysis of the cervix. This is known as a colposcope. The microscope will remain outside of your body during the analysis.

 

Tips to Make Colposcopy a Better Option for You

Everyone has a different experience, but it is important to know these tips before you go to colposcopy. This may help you to feel more comfortable:

• You may request to see a colposcopist of a particular gender say, a female colposcopist.
• You may take someone like a friend, partner or a family member with you during the treatment. They can either be in the examination room or wait for you in the waiting room.
• If you are extremely worried, talk to your colposcopist or colposcopy nurse. If it is your first colposcopy or you have had a bad experience or you have experienced anything that makes the examination difficult, your colposcopist will try to give you the right support at all times to make you feel more comfortable.
• If you feel comfortable, wear a dress or a skirt. You may keep it on during the examination if it makes you feel more comfortable. You will be given a paper sheet to protect yourself, but do check if you can carry a blanket or shawl too.
• You may ask for a smaller speculum as they are available in different sizes. Thus, if you find that the standard size is uncomfortable, you may ask to try another size.
• You may be asked to lie in different position. Lying on the back will make you feel uncomfortable and so, you can lie on your left hand side with the knees bent. The examination bed shifts and tilts so you will be able to find comfortable position.
• If you are passing through or have already gone through menopause, then you may want your GP to know everything before colposcopy. When we become old, the opening of the vagina and the vaginal walls become smaller and may stretch less which can make the test more uncomfortable. You may ask your GP to give you a prescription of pessary or vaginal oestrogen cream which you must use for 2 to 4 weeks prior to the appointment. This should provide some help for the treatment.

FAQs - Coloscopy

Why Colposcopy?

Colposcopy can be used to diagnose:

• Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
• Precancerous changes in the tissue of the vagina
• Precancerous changes in the tissue of the cervix
• Genital warts
• Precancerous changes of the vulva

When do you need Colposcopy?

You may be experiencing some changes in your genitals that are confusing. To be on the safe side, you’ll need to reach out to us through a call or via mail in order to schedule a session with our experts and undergo colposcopy. This is done in order to be sure of what is wrong with you and treat it immediately if necessary.

Are there any risks?

Colposcopy is a safe procedure that poses little to no risk. With our experienced gynaecology specialists, you are going to be in guaranteed safe hands. Rarely, complications from biopsies taken during colposcopy can occur; it includes:

• Infection
• Pelvic pain
• Heavy bleeding

Can I do anything before the examination?

You may ask your friend or relative to go with you at the colposcopy clinic. Whoever may accompany you, they will be allowed to stay with you during the examination in some clinics.

Some doctors might not prefer doing a colposcopy examination when you are having period. If this is your case at the clinic, feel free to fix an appointment with us.

The actual examination will require around 15 minutes, however, ensure that you free up plenty of time for a complete examination as it could take around 60 minutes.

Some women may have a slight discharge after the examination.

What happens after the examination?

After dressing yourself, the doctor will let you know if anything is out of the normal and the type of treatment that you need to undergo if necessary. If you have had a biopsy, then you will not be given a proper diagnosis after the examination. It will take somewhere around one to two weeks before getting the results of the biopsy. After the examination, you should feel well so that you can continue with your daily routine.

If you have had a biopsy, then you may have a light bloodstained discharge for a few days after the procedure. It is advised to avoid having sex for at least five days after the procedure to give the biopsy area plenty of time to recover completely.

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