What to expect during a LEEP procedure
Your provider will explain each step of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure and answer your questions. We do LEEP when you’re not on your period, so we schedule the procedure to avoid that time in your cycle.
You’ll lay down so you’re comfortable and relaxed. Like a pelvic exam, your doctor opens your vagina with a tool called a speculum so they can get a clear view of your vagina and cervix.
Your provider numbs your cervix with local anesthesia to help minimize any pain or discomfort during the procedure. They may clean your cervix with a vinegar solution so they can see the abnormal tissue.
Your provider then inserts a loop of thin wire into your vagina. Electricity heats the wire, and your doctor uses it to remove the abnormal tissue on your cervix. You may feel some tingling and cramping in your abdomen while they remove the tissue.
Your provider puts a medicated paste on your cervix to stop any bleeding. This paste will turn black when it mixes with blood and may result in black discharge for several days following your procedure. This is normal.
After the procedure, you may experience a few side effects, such as mild cramping and moderate to heavy discharge. The discharge could last 1 to 2 weeks.
We send the cervical tissue to the lab, where a pathologist examines it under a microscope to confirm the abnormal cells. If the outer edges of the tissue still show abnormal cells, you may need an additional procedure to remove them.