LEEP
What is LEEP?
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), is an in-office procedure that we perform to treat abnormal tissue in the cervix. Once a Pap smear and biopsy confirm that there are abnormal cell changes on the cervix, we may recommend LEEP as an effective outpatient treatment.
When performing LEEP, a numbing medication is injected into the cervix before we use a low-voltage/electrified, thin wire loop to skillfully remove abnormal tissue on the cervix. Since it is an office procedure, it’s usually done in 10 to 20 minutes and you can return to normal activities in a day or two.
LEEP FAQs
For most women, full recovery may take about four weeks. Your doctor will also give you recommendations to help speed up your recovery, manage possible side effects, and avoid infection.
You would need to undergo LEEP if your doctor diagnosed any abnormal cervical or vaginal cell growth during a pelvic exam or Pap smear test. Through LEEP, your doctor will be able to detect and remove precancerous cells before they developed into a more serious health concern.
