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Colposcopy · London

Private colposcopy in London, by a BSCCP-accredited gynaecologist.

A magnified examination of the cervix after an abnormal smear - with same-visit LLETZ treatment where indicated. Performed in a discreet clinic by a BSCCP-accredited gynaecologist.

A friendly doctor in conversation with a patient in a warmly lit consulting room

Indicative pricing

What private colposcopy costs in London.

Indicative ranges across BSCCP-accredited services in London.

In short

£450–£850, with an on-the-day impression and histology in 7–14 days.

Test or procedure Indicative range
Diagnostic colposcopy £450–£850
Colposcopy + biopsy £600–£1,100
Colposcopy + LLETZ (see-and-treat) £900–£1,700
Colposcopy + endocervical curettage £700–£1,300
Follow-up / surveillance colposcopy £450–£850
Colposcopy in pregnancy £550–£1,000

Prices vary by clinic, whether biopsy or LLETZ is required at the same visit, and whether histology is included.

The problem

An abnormal smear shouldn’t mean months of waiting.

NHS colposcopy is excellent but waits can stretch. Privately, you get a BSCCP-accredited consultant, a discreet room, and - where clinically right - treatment in the same visit.

  • Recurrent HPV or CIN?

    Continuity of care with a specialist colposcopist through surveillance and, if needed, LLETZ treatment.

  • Want it done, and done once?

    See-and-treat LLETZ where indicated - one visit, one recovery, no repeat appointments.

What it shows

Match the procedure to the reason for it.

Colposcopy answers a specific question. These are the most common reasons for referral.

  • Abnormal smear follow-up

    The most common reason for colposcopy - a closer look after cytology flags cell changes.

  • High-risk HPV positive

    Persistent high-risk HPV, with or without cytological changes, often triggers colposcopy referral.

  • CIN grade 1–3

    Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - graded, mapped and either monitored or treated with LLETZ.

  • Genital warts

    Assessment of cervical, vulval or vaginal warts that need a closer look than a standard exam allows.

  • Postcoital bleeding

    Bleeding after sex needs investigation - colposcopy inspects the cervix in detail alongside a specialist review.

  • Persistent pelvic pain

    When pelvic pain is unexplained, colposcopy may be part of a broader gynaecological workup.

  • Post-treatment surveillance

    Test-of-cure colposcopy after LLETZ or cone biopsy, at the intervals recommended by BSCCP.

  • Red flag

    Heavy bleeding after LLETZ needs urgent review - call 111 or attend A&E, do not wait for a clinic appointment.

Procedure types

From diagnostic colposcopy to same-visit LLETZ and surveillance.

  • Standard colposcopy

    Magnified inspection of the cervix with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine to identify abnormal areas.

  • Colposcopy + biopsy

    A small punch biopsy of any abnormal area, sent for histology by a consultant cellular pathologist.

  • LLETZ (large loop excision - see-and-treat)

    Loop excision of the transformation zone under local anaesthetic, in the same visit where clinically indicated.

  • Cold-knife cone biopsy

    A deeper, precisely-shaped excision under general anaesthetic when LLETZ is not appropriate.

  • Colposcopy for vulval disease

    Vulvoscopy - magnified inspection of the vulva for VIN, lichen sclerosus and other vulval conditions.

  • Colposcopy for vaginal disease

    Vaginoscopy - inspection of the vaginal walls, useful for VaIN and post-hysterectomy surveillance.

  • Follow-up colposcopy

    Interval surveillance after treatment or a previous abnormal result, per BSCCP intervals.

  • Colposcopy in pregnancy

    Safely performed in pregnancy where indicated - biopsy is usually deferred unless invasion is suspected.

Preparation and practicalities

A safe, well-established procedure.

Colposcopy is straightforward, but timing and preparation matter - especially if biopsy or LLETZ may be needed.

  • Not during a period

    Colposcopy is not done during a period - heavy bleeding makes the cervix hard to inspect.

  • What to avoid beforehand

    No tampons, lubricants or vaginal creams for 48 hours before the appointment.

  • Sex before the appointment

    Avoid sex for 24–48 hours before if a biopsy or LLETZ is planned.

  • Pregnancy

    Colposcopy is usually safe in pregnancy; biopsy is normally deferred unless invasion is suspected.

  • Driving home

    Fine to drive home unless sedation was used - most patients don’t need it.

  • Bleeding afterwards

    Light bleeding or brown discharge for a few days is common and settles on its own.

  • LLETZ - risks are small

    Small risks of infection, delayed bleeding and - rarely - cervical incompetence in future pregnancies.

  • Pain is usually mild

    Cramp-like discomfort during and for a few hours after; paracetamol is normally enough.

  • Results turnaround

    Histology from a biopsy or LLETZ is usually reported within 7–14 days.

Reading your report

A colposcopy report can look daunting. It isn’t.

Whatever the finding, the report follows the same four parts.

A pathologist reviewing a cervical biopsy slide

A quiet reminder

CIN is not cancer - it is exactly what colposcopy exists to catch and treat.

If anything is unclear, ask the reporting clinician to talk you through the histology before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details, the referral indication, previous smears, HPV status and any prior treatment.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the colposcopy was performed

    Acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine application, transformation zone type, and any biopsy or LLETZ taken.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the colposcopist saw

    The transformation zone type, abnormal areas described in detail, and the exact biopsy sites.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    Read this first: normal, CIN grade, and whether the next step is surveillance interval or treatment.

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Frequently asked

Common questions about colposcopy.

Quick answers on pain, cost, referral, LLETZ, results, pregnancy and when to see a GP urgently.

  • What is a colposcopy?

    A colposcopy is a detailed, magnified examination of the cervix (and sometimes the vulva or vagina) using a colposcope - a specialised microscope. It usually follows an abnormal smear or a persistent high-risk HPV result. A small biopsy or LLETZ treatment can be done at the same visit if needed.

  • How is colposcopy different from a smear?

    A smear takes cells from the surface of the cervix for lab analysis. A colposcopy looks directly at the cervix under magnification, after acetic acid and iodine are applied to highlight abnormal areas. Smears screen; colposcopy investigates.

  • Does colposcopy hurt?

    A diagnostic colposcopy is usually uncomfortable rather than painful - similar to a smear. A biopsy feels like a brief pinch; LLETZ under local anaesthetic feels like pressure and mild cramping. Paracetamol beforehand and a hot water bottle afterwards help.

  • How much does a private colposcopy cost in London?

    A diagnostic colposcopy is typically £450–£850. Colposcopy with biopsy is £600–£1,100. Colposcopy with LLETZ (see-and-treat) is £900–£1,700.

  • Do I need a GP referral?

    No. You can self-refer for private colposcopy. If you have a recent NHS smear or HPV result, or a referral letter, bring it - it helps the colposcopist plan the visit.

  • Can LLETZ be done at the same visit?

    Often, yes - this is called “see-and-treat”. It is only done when the colposcopy findings clearly indicate treatment. Otherwise, biopsy is taken first, histology reviewed, and LLETZ arranged as a separate visit if needed.

  • How long do results take?

    The colposcopist will usually give an impression on the day. Biopsy or LLETZ histology is reported by a consultant cellular pathologist within 7–14 days, and the result should be talked through with you.

  • Is colposcopy safe in pregnancy?

    Yes - colposcopy is safely performed in pregnancy where indicated. Biopsy is normally deferred unless invasion is suspected. LLETZ is almost always postponed until after delivery.

  • When can I have sex again after colposcopy?

    After a diagnostic colposcopy without biopsy, sex is fine straight away. After biopsy or LLETZ, avoid sex, tampons and swimming for about 4 weeks to let the cervix heal.

  • When should I see a GP or go to A&E urgently?

    Heavy bleeding after LLETZ - soaking a pad in under an hour, or passing large clots - needs urgent review: call 111 or attend A&E. Fever, foul-smelling discharge or severe pain also need same-day medical review.

Related tests

Looking for something else?

In practice, in London

The London pathway for colposcopy

With colposcopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Waiting lists on the NHS for colposcopy vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, a slot inside the same week is often possible, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality - the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS - it’s the calendar.

A private colposcopy pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. For colposcopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private colposcopy appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine - the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. Check that any consultant you see is on the GMC specialist register and that the facility is registered with the CQC.