Cancer Cervical Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment LEEP Procedure to Treat Cervical Dysplasia By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 24, 2020 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on December 01, 2019 Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Women with persistent low-grade or high-grade cervical dysplasia may be recommended to have a procedure called a LEEP. A LEEP is commonly recommended for women whose cervical biopsy results show abnormal cells on the cervix that may progress into cervical cancer if left untreated. STOCK4B / Getty Images What is a LEEP? LEEP is an acronym for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. A LEEP uses an electrically charged wire loop to remove abnormal cervical tissue. It is done under local anesthesia and normally on an outpatient basis in hospitals or in a doctor's office. During a LEEP: the doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina an anesthetic is injected into the cervix to numb the area the use of an electrically charged wire loop is used to remove abnormal tissue a topical solution may be put on the cervix to stop any bleeding A LEEP procedure is typically painless; however, mild cramping may be felt during the procedure. It takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. What to Expect After Having a LEEP After a LEEP, you can expect mild cramping, dark vaginal discharge, and possible mild bleeding with discharge. Women who undergo a LEEP are recommended to use sanitary napkins as opposed to tampons following the procedure. After a LEEP, no sex, douching tampons, or basically anything in the vagina is recommended for a certain amount of time. Heavy lifting and exercise should be avoided as well. The doctor will advise you how long you should avoid these activities. About two weeks after the procedure, the doctor will follow-up with an in-office appointment. The doctor will check your cervix to see how it has healed and make any further recommendations. This is an important appointment and should not be missed. It is crucial to follow-up with recommended regular cervical exams. Cervical dysplasia can return even if treatment is complete. Regular cervical exams are the only way to monitor for abnormal cervical changes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Memorial Sloan Cancer Center. About Your LEEP.