Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) in Charlottesville, VA
Safely remove pre-cancerous cervical cells with a LEEP procedure.
What is Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure?
A Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a common and minimally invasive treatment used to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix. This procedure uses a thin wire loop charged with an electric current to remove precancerous cells or abnormal tissue that might have been identified through a pap smear and/or cervical biopsy.
Our skilled team at The Center For Advanced Gynecology is dedicated to ensuring your comfort throughout the LEEP procedure. By targeting and removing abnormal cells, we help in treating cervical dysplasia, reducing the risk of cervical cancer, and supporting your long-term cervical health.
Why is a LEEP Performed?
The LEEP procedure might be recommended for the following reasons:
- Abnormal cells: The procedure may be performed to remove abnormal cells that are found on a pap smear and/or cervical biopsy
- Precancerous conditions: A LEEP is performed to remove abnormal tissue, or dysplasia, preventing progression to cervical cancer
- Genital warts: A LEEP may be performed to remove genital warts
- Persistent abnormal cells: A LEEP may be performed if abnormal cells persist after 2 years of observation
- Follow-Up Treatment: A LEEP may be performed if high-grade cytology persists after 2 years of observation
Who Might Need a LEEP?
A LEEP might be recommended if:
- You have abnormal cells on a pap smear and/or abnormal cervical biopsy results
- You have precancerous cells, or dysplasia
- You have genital warts
What Are the Risks of a LEEP Procedure?
While a LEEP is generally safe, some risks include infection or bleeding. In some cases, it can cause cervical stenosis (narrowing of the cervix), which could impact future pregnancies. There is also a slight risk that a LEEP could contribute to complications such as low birth weight and premature labor in future pregnancies. Your healthcare provider will thoroughly discuss all potential risks and benefits before the procedure to ensure your comfort and understanding.
What To Expect
After a negative pregnancy test is confirmed, you will remove all jewelry and get undressed from the waist down. You will then be asked to lie in a supine position on the exam table with legs supported by stirrups. A speculum will be placed in the vagina and a local anesthetic will be administered. After identifying the abnormal cells/tissue, a thin wire loop (with electrical energy) will be used to remove it from your cervix. The procedure is typically quick and performed in-office, with minimal discomfort.
After the procedure, you might experience some vaginal bleeding or discharge, which is normal and part of the healing process. Your provider will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your recovery and ensure all abnormal tissue has been removed successfully.
Why Choose The Center For Advanced Gynecology
The Center for Advanced Gynecology, established in 2018, is dedicated to improving your health by offering expertise in various areas, with a specific focus on gynecological care and advanced surgical techniques when surgery is needed.
Our team provides specialized expertise in non-surgical treatment of chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, pudendal neuralgia, and vaginal, vulvar, and bladder pain.
Since opening our doors, we have recognized the need in our community for more than just specialty care and have a growing practice in routine gynecologic care, cancer screening, Pap smears, menopausal management, hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy, menstrual abnormalities, breast care, contraceptive care, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.