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The Colposcopy Clinic

If your cervical screening result says that further tests are needed, you will be referred to a colposcopy clinic at your nearest hospital.

Colposcopy means looking at the cervix, to try to see where any cell changes seen in your screening test sample have come from.

The person who does the examination is called a colposcopist and may be a doctor or a nurse. They use a colposcope – which looks like a pair of binoculars on a stand, with a bright light – to look for the cell changes.

The colposcope does not go inside you. Having a colposcopy is a lot like having a cervical screening test.

You can usually see your cervix on a screen if you want to watch. Most clinics are able to take a picture and save this in your hospital records, if you are happy with this.

The colposcopist will apply some solutions to your cervix which will highlight abnormal cell changes if present. The solution may cause a slight stinging sensation.

The colposcopist might also use an iodine solution to show up any areas of cell change.

If the colposcopist sees an area that looks like there are cell changes, they usually ask if they can take a biopsy. This means taking a small pinch of skin from the surface of the cervix, about the size of a grain of rice. This biopsy is sent to the laboratory for them to look at.

If you have a biopsy taken, you are usually advised not to have sex for a week, and to avoid using tampons, going swimming and having a bath.

Sometimes, the colposcopist will offer to treat cell changes at a first visit (see treatment). They will explain this to you at the clinic.

The colposcopist will write to you with the results of any biopsies taken. They will tell you whether you need any treatment or further appointments. If you don't need to be seen again, they will tell your when to have your next smear test.

For further information, you can read our leaflet  Your Colposcopy Clinic Appointment.