LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) is an effective outpatient treatment for dysplasia (abnormal cell growth). A fine wire loop with a special high-frequency current allows your doctor to precisely remove the abnormal tissue from your cervix.
The Procedure
- Schedule LEEP for a time when you are not menstruating.
- You'll place your feet in stirrups and your doctor will insert a speculum (a small device) into your vagina.
- Your cervix is numbed with a local anesthetic.
- A mild vinegar or iodine solution is applied to your cervix to highlight any dysplasia.
- Your doctor may look through a colposcope to get a close-up view of your cervix.
Removing the Abnormal Tissue
- The loop is inserted through your vagina and moved toward the cervix.
- The loop is used to remove a small piece of cervical tissue.
- To reduce bleeding, a medicated solution may be applied to the cervix. The solution often causes a dark vaginal discharge for a few days after the procedure. Your cervix should heal completely within a few weeks.
Be sure to call your doctor if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding or bleeding with clots
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Foul-smelling discharge
