LEEP

When to call your health care provider?

  • Heavy bleeding (more than your normal period)

  • Bleeding with clots

  • Severe abdominal pain

What is LEEP Procedure?

A loop electrosurgical excision procedure, commonly referred to as a LEEP, is one possible course of treatment that may be suggested by a physician to quickly remove areas of abnormal tissue on the cervix.

During the LEEP procedure, a speculum is inserted into the vagina in order to clearly visualize the cervix. The cervix is numbed with a local anesthetic and a solution is placed on the cervix to highlight areas of abnormal cells. The physician will view the cervix through a Colposcope (a magnifying instrument) placed outside the vagina.

A fine wire loop with a special high-frequency electrical current allows the physician to precisely remove the abnormal tissue from the cervix with very little damage to surrounding tissue. Different sizes and shapes of these loops can be used to remove one or more pieces of abnormal tissue. After completion of the tissue removal, a special device may be used to seal blood vessels and/or a medicated solution may be applied to the cervix to reduce bleeding.

The tissue samples taken are sent to a pathology laboratory and examined by a pathologist. The results are then returned to and reviewed by the physician.

What could I expect after a LEEP Procedure is performed

  • A watery, pinkish discharge

  • Mild cramping

  • A brownish-black discharge

It will take a few weeks for your cervix to heal. While your cervix heals, you should not place anything in the vagina, such as tampons or douches. You should not have intercourse. Your health care provider will tell you when it is safe to do so.

Written by Webmaster