Concierge gynaecology · London
Colposcopy with LLETZ, by a BSCCP-accredited colposcopist.
After an abnormal smear or a positive HPV test, a colposcopy looks at the cervix in detail — and, where high-grade change is confirmed, a LLETZ treats it in the same visit. Under local anaesthetic, in and out in under an hour.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant colposcopist, in clinic
Not a generalist and not a training list. A named BSCCP-accredited colposcopist takes the biopsy and does the LLETZ in the same room.
- 02
Treat-now discussed honestly
For high-grade change a see-and-treat approach can spare you a second visit — but only where the colposcopy findings truly justify it.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation on LLETZ, cone biopsy or ablation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private colposcopy and LLETZ cost in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A see-and-treat LLETZ in our network: £1,600–£2,600, home within the hour.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Result / turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colposcopy assessment only | £350–£600 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Colposcopy with punch biopsy | £500–£900 | 30 min | Histology 1–2 wk |
| Colposcopy with LLETZ (see-and-treat) | £1,600–£2,600 | 30–45 min | Histology 1–2 wk |
| LLETZ under local anaesthetic (planned) | £1,400–£2,400 | 30 min | Histology 1–2 wk |
| LLETZ under general anaesthetic | £2,600–£4,200 | Half-day | Histology 1–2 wk |
| Cold-knife cone biopsy under GA | £3,200–£5,000 | Half-day | Histology 1–2 wk |
| Six-month test-of-cure (smear + HPV) | £220–£380 | 15 min | 3–5 working days |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which colposcopist takes the case, by the anaesthetic chosen, and by whether histology and the six-month test-of-cure are included in the package. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right colposcopist, the right decision on treat-now.
An abnormal smear is anxious enough. What follows should be a BSCCP-accredited colposcopist, an honest read of the cervix under magnification, and a treat-or-biopsy call made on the findings — not on the slot in the diary.
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Worried about the result?
CIN and HPV explained plainly, with what your smear really shows and what happens next.
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Anxious about the procedure?
A cervical block, the wire loop, and the noise it makes — nothing skipped over, nothing exaggerated.
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Want it done properly?
A BSCCP-accredited colposcopist, a licensed suite, histology arranged, and the test-of-cure booked before you leave.
The journey
Referral to test-of-cure — what happens, in order.
One colposcopist from your first appointment to the six-month test-of-cure.
Phase 1 · Before your appointment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Around 30–45 minutes
Phase 3 · After
Histology, then test-of-cure
- 01
Before
Referral after an abnormal result
An abnormal smear, a positive high-risk HPV test, or a suspicious cervix on examination triggers the colposcopy referral.
- 02
Before
We match you to a colposcopist
Within one working day: a BSCCP-accredited consultant, a licensed colposcopy suite, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
Pre-procedure preparation
Avoid tampons, intercourse or vaginal products for 24 hours before. Simple analgesia an hour before helps with any cramping.
- 04
On the day
Colposcopy in the clinic
A speculum examination, acetic acid and iodine applied to the cervix, and the transformation zone inspected under magnification.
- 05
On the day
LLETZ if treatment is agreed
A local cervical block, then a fine wire loop excises the transformation zone in one piece where possible. The base is cauterised for haemostasis. The specimen goes to histology.
- 06
On the day
Home the same hour
The whole visit is around 30 to 45 minutes. You can walk out, take a taxi or drive yourself — no sedation needed for a standard LLETZ.
- 07
After
Histology, then test-of-cure
Histology in one to two weeks confirms grade and margins. A repeat smear plus HPV test at six months is the test-of-cure.
Typical referral-to-treatment: 1–2 weeks. Test-of-cure: 6 months after LLETZ.
When it helps
When colposcopy with LLETZ is the right step.
The indications that lead most patients here, plus the one red flag that means a two-week wait referral rather than an outpatient LLETZ.
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CIN2 on biopsy
Moderate dyskaryosis confirmed on histology — LLETZ is the standard treatment to remove the transformation zone.
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CIN3 on biopsy
Severe dyskaryosis or carcinoma in situ — treatment is recommended without delay.
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Persistent CIN1
Low-grade change that has not regressed after 18 to 24 months of surveillance may warrant treatment.
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Glandular abnormality
Atypical glandular cells on smear need urgent colposcopy — the transformation zone may need excision even when the ectocervix looks normal.
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cGIN (glandular neoplasia)
Cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia usually needs a deeper excision — often a cone biopsy rather than a shallow LLETZ.
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Positive high-risk HPV plus cytology
A persistent high-risk HPV result with abnormal cytology triggers colposcopy, and treatment if high-grade change is confirmed.
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Unsatisfactory colposcopy
When the transformation zone cannot be fully seen (type 3), diagnostic excision may be the only way to exclude high-grade disease.
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Red flag: suspected invasive cancer
A visibly abnormal cervix — a mass, ulceration or contact bleeding — needs urgent referral for staging, not an outpatient LLETZ.
Options on the table
LLETZ is not the only option — and treat-now is not always right.
Loop excision, cone biopsy or ablation — and treat-now versus biopsy-first. Which fits depends on grade, visibility of the transformation zone, and your preference.
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LLETZ (large loop excision)
A wire loop under local anaesthetic excises the transformation zone in one piece where possible. The workhorse treatment for CIN2 and CIN3.
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See-and-treat LLETZ
Colposcopy and LLETZ in the same visit — appropriate where the abnormality is clearly high-grade and treatment is inevitable.
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Diagnostic punch biopsy first
A small biopsy confirms the grade before any treatment. Preferred where the picture is uncertain or the patient wants to think it over.
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Cold-knife cone biopsy
A deeper, scalpel-based excision under general anaesthetic. Preferred for cGIN or when a wider margin is needed than a loop can safely provide.
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Laser or cryotherapy ablation
Destroys the transformation zone without a specimen — an option for small, fully-visible low-grade lesions where histology is not required.
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LLETZ under general anaesthetic
Occasionally offered for very anxious patients, a difficult cervix, or when combined with another procedure.
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Repeat excision for positive margins
If the first LLETZ has involved margins on histology, a repeat excision may be recommended.
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Consultation only
A discussion of your smear and HPV results with a colposcopist — no obligation to proceed.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of colposcopists, we picked them.
BSCCP-accredited consultant colposcopists across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every colposcopist in our network.
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BSCCP-accredited consultant colposcopists, not trainees
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Licensed colposcopy suites with on-site histopathology contracts
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See-and-treat used only where high-grade disease is clearly demonstrated
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Six-month test-of-cure appointment booked before you leave
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
LLETZ is a common, safe day procedure. Worth planning: the vaginal loss window, the four-week no-tampons-or-sex rule, the six-month test-of-cure, and the small effect on future pregnancy.
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Local anaesthetic is enough for most
A cervical block numbs the area within minutes. Most women describe pressure and mild cramping rather than pain.
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Vaginal loss for four to six weeks
A brown or blood-stained discharge is normal as the treated area heals. It settles gradually — a sudden change is worth flagging.
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No tampons, sex or swimming for 4 weeks
Sanitary pads only, no penetrative sex, no swimming or bath immersion. Showers are fine from day one.
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Test-of-cure at six months
A repeat smear with HPV testing at six months confirms whether the treatment has cleared the disease. Do not skip it.
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Secondary haemorrhage around day 7–10
A brisk fresh bleed one to two weeks after treatment can happen as the scab lifts — usually needs a same-day review and, rarely, a return to clinic.
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Cervical stenosis is uncommon
A narrowed cervix after treatment can affect future smears or periods — reported in a small minority and usually manageable.
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Preterm birth risk is small but real
Deeper or repeated excisions carry a modest increase in the risk of preterm delivery in future pregnancies. It is worth knowing before consenting.
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HPV vaccination still matters
Treatment removes the abnormal cells, not the virus. HPV vaccination after treatment reduces the risk of recurrence.
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Red flags
Heavy bright-red bleeding, offensive discharge, fever or severe pelvic pain after LLETZ are not normal — call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your histology report
Your LLETZ report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the letter the colposcopist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Histology language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and cytology / HPV result
Why the colposcopy was done — the smear grade, HPV status and any previous treatment history.
- 02 Technique
Colposcopy findings and LLETZ details
What the cervix looked like with acetic acid and iodine, the transformation zone type, and the depth and dimensions of the LLETZ specimen.
- 03 Findings
Histology grade and margins
The final grade (CIN1, CIN2, CIN3 or cGIN), whether the margins are clear, and any incidental findings such as invasive disease.
- 04 Impression
Follow-up and test-of-cure plan
Read this first: whether treatment is complete, the six-month test-of-cure date, and any repeat excision or MDT referral needed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Colposcopy and LLETZ are usually funded on private medical insurance when clinically indicated. We confirm cover, referral requirements and any excess before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about colposcopy with LLETZ.
Quick answers on pain, vaginal loss, the test-of-cure at six months, and the effect on future pregnancy.
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What’s the difference between LLETZ and a cone biopsy — and which will I need?
LLETZ uses a fine electrified wire loop under local anaesthetic to remove a shallow disc of cervix containing the abnormal cells — it’s a 15-minute outpatient procedure and the default for most CIN. A cone biopsy uses a scalpel under general anaesthetic to take a deeper cone, reserved for glandular disease or when LLETZ can’t reach a clear margin, and privately in London it’s usually done as a day case at a BSCCP-accredited unit.
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Does colposcopy with LLETZ hurt?
The colposcopy examination itself is not painful — pressure from the speculum and a mild sting from the acetic acid. The LLETZ uses a local anaesthetic injected into the cervix; most women feel pressure and cramping rather than sharp pain. Simple painkillers taken beforehand help.
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How long is the procedure and can I go home?
The whole visit is 30 to 45 minutes and you go home straight after. You can drive yourself, take a taxi or use public transport — no sedation is used for a standard LLETZ.
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What is see-and-treat?
Colposcopy and LLETZ in the same visit, without waiting for a biopsy result first. It is appropriate when the colposcopy findings are clearly high-grade and treatment is inevitable — it spares a second visit, but it should not be used where the picture is uncertain.
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How much vaginal loss is normal after LLETZ?
A brown or blood-stained discharge for four to six weeks is normal, sometimes with a short heavier bleed around day seven to ten as the scab lifts. Sanitary pads only — no tampons for four weeks. Sudden heavy bright-red bleeding, offensive-smelling discharge or fever needs a same-day review.
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When is the test-of-cure?
A repeat smear with HPV testing at six months. If it is negative for HPV, you return to routine screening. If HPV is still detected, a further colposcopy is arranged.
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Will LLETZ affect future pregnancy?
A single, shallow LLETZ carries only a small increase in the risk of preterm birth. Deeper excisions and repeat LLETZ carry a slightly higher risk. Cervical incompetence can occasionally develop and is worth mentioning to any future obstetrician.
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How much does a private colposcopy with LLETZ cost in London?
A colposcopy assessment is around £350–£600, colposcopy with LLETZ on a see-and-treat basis is £1,600–£2,600, and LLETZ under general anaesthetic is £2,600–£4,200. Histology is usually included. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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What if the margins are positive on histology?
Involved margins do not always mean residual disease, but they do mean closer follow-up — a repeat colposcopy sooner, and sometimes a repeat excision. The colposcopist reviews the histology and MDT input where relevant.
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When should I contact the clinic or A&E?
Heavy bright-red bleeding soaking a pad an hour, offensive-smelling discharge, fever, severe pelvic pain, or feeling generally unwell in the weeks after LLETZ are all reasons to seek same-day medical help.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Colposcopy
Detailed examination of the cervix under magnification.
Learn more -
Cervical smear
The screening test that starts the pathway.
Learn more -
HPV screening
High-risk HPV testing for cervical cancer.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more -
Endometriosis
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Menopause
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Vaginal Ultrasound
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more -
Pelvic Ultrasound
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more
In practice, in London
What colposcopy with lletz looks like on the ground in London
For colposcopy with LLETZ, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. Public provision for colposcopy with lletz is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
Once you’re in the private system for colposcopy with lletz, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different — one person on the other end of the phone, not a switchboard. For colposcopy with LLETZ in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private colposcopy with lletz 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. Everyone we route to is GMC-registered and works within CQC-regulated facilities.