LEEP Procedure: Understanding Side Effects & Recovery

A LEEP procedure, or loop electrosurgical excision procedure, is used to remove abnormal cells from your cervix for testing and treatment of possible cervical cancers. Despite its effectiveness, LEEP procedures pose a risk for side effects in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• After a LEEP procedure, you are likely to notice a greenish-yellow vaginal discharge caused by the substance used to make the abnormal cells in your cervix visible during the procedure. It is also normal to develop vaginal bleeding and cramping, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Solutions

• To relieve the cramping associated with LEEP procedures, it is generally safe to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, reports the Cleveland Clinic.

Time Frame

• Bleeding and cramping due to LEEP procedures typically lasts one to three weeks.

Risks

• Infrequently, LEEP procedures cause a narrowing of your cervix, causing difficulty with conception or changes in menstruation. LEEP procedures slightly increase your risk for having a stillbirth or delivering a low birth weight baby, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.

Considerations

• Do not use tampons for four weeks after the LEEP procedure and abstain from sexual intercourse during that time, cautions the Cleveland Clinic, as inserting anything into your vagina may damage your cervix.