LEEP

During the procedure

You’ll place your feet in stirrups. Your health care provider then inserts a speculum into your vagina. The speculum holds the walls of the vagina open to let the provider see the cervix:

• Your cervix is numbed with a local anesthetic.

• A mild vinegar or iodine solution may be applied to your cervix. This helps to highlight any dysplasia.

• Your provider may look through a colposcope. This helps to get a close-up view of your cervix.

• The loop is inserted through your vagina and moved toward the cervix.

• The loop is used to remove a small piece of cervical tissue. You may feel pressure, a dull ache, or a cramp.

• After the abnormal cells have been removed, a medicated solution or paste may be applied to the cervix. This helps reduce bleeding.

After the procedure

You may have a watery pink discharge and mild cramping after the procedure. Also, the solution used to decrease bleeding may cause dark vaginal discharge for a few days. Don't place anything in your vagina, such as tampons or douches, for a few weeks. You can use pads or panty liners. Do not have sex until your health care provider tells you it's okay. Your cervix should heal completely within a few weeks.

Your provider will schedule follow-up visits to:

• Check your cervix.

• See that there are no more abnormal cells and that they have not returned.

• Do more tests to confirm their findings.

• Discuss the treatment plan.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your health care provider right away if you:

• Have heavy bleeding or bleeding with clots.

• Have severe belly pain.

• Have a fever.

• Have foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

• Faint or feel dizzy or lightheaded.