Knowledge Centre · Patient guide
Colposcopy, Explained
What a colposcopy actually is, what happens on the day, and what your results mean. One visit, start to finish.
If you have been told you need a colposcopy, the word sounds bigger than the procedure is. Here is what actually happens.
Why you might need one
- You have an abnormal Pap smear or a positive HPV result.
- Your nurse or doctor saw something on your cervix they want checked.
- You bleed after sex, after menopause, or your periods are unusually heavy.
- You have a discharge that will not settle.
What happens on the day
The look. A colposcopy is a careful look at the cervix with a magnifying instrument. It is done in the consulting room, not a theatre, and takes about 20 minutes.
Treatment, same visit. If treatment is needed, it usually happens in the same sitting: thermal ablation where there is no visible lesion, or LLETZ where a lesion is seen. Some findings need a small biopsy first.
Your results. You get your results and a clear follow-up plan, and your own doctor gets them too: a check at six months, then once a year for five years.
If you are pregnant, living with HIV, or treated before
- Pregnant: screening is safe before 20 weeks. Treatment usually waits until six weeks after the birth.
- Living with HIV: screening starts at 25 and repeats every five years, for life.
- Treated before: you need a follow-up check every year.
The cost question
Cash and medical-aid pathways are available, and we handle the authorisation directly with Discovery where it applies. Your cover and your cost are confirmed before anything happens. No surprises.
What your result means
CIN stands for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, the medical term for abnormal cells confined to the surface of the cervix, before they have become cancer.
| Result | What it means | What usually happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | No abnormal cells found | Return to routine screening on your usual schedule |
| Low-grade change (CIN 1) | Mild cell changes, often clear on their own | Monitoring, with a repeat check in 6 to 12 months |
| High-grade change (CIN 2 or CIN 3) | Cell changes that need treatment to stop them progressing | Thermal ablation or LLETZ, usually the same visit |
Catching changes at this stage is what makes cervical cancer one of the most preventable cancers there is.
When to contact us after your colposcopy
- Bleeding heavier than a normal period
- Bleeding lasting longer than two weeks
- Fever
- Severe pelvic pain
- A new or unusual smell or discharge
Light spotting or brown discharge for a few days is expected and not a reason to worry.
Frequently asked questions
Will a colposcopy affect my fertility? No. A colposcopy itself does not affect fertility. Treatment for a high-grade change carries a small effect on the cervix in later pregnancies, which we will discuss with you directly if treatment is needed.
Is a colposcopy the same as a smear test? No. A Pap smear screens a broad population for early warning signs. A colposcopy is the closer, more detailed look that follows an abnormal screening result.
Do I need someone to drive me home? No. There is no sedation. Most people go straight back to normal activity, though some prefer a quiet rest of the day if a biopsy was taken.
Ready to be seen? Ask us to call you or WhatsApp 071 224 2788. One visit, start to finish.
Sources and guidance
- Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy, South African National Department of Health
- WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions, World Health Organization
- Colposcopy, NHS
Your next step
If you have been told you need a colposcopy, this is the visit, and the price is the whole price:
Prices are what you pay, not an estimate. We confirm your own fee after a short eligibility and affordability check, and there is no obligation.
Rather just talk it through?
Tell us what you have read and what you are worried about. We call you back. You do not need a referral, and nothing is booked until you say so.