A woman who’s had LEEP done a few times for CIN will naturally be worried there’s a limit to how many times the loop electrical excision procedure can be done.
“A LEEP can be safely repeated for cervical dysplasia (precancerous cells noted on biopsy of the cervix),” says Mylaine Riobe, MD, founder of Riobe Institute of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Riobe, board certified in OBGYN, is the author of “The Answer to Cancer.”
“In a woman of child-bearing age, a LEEP can rarely cause a condition called cervical incompetence, which is the premature opening of the cervix due to weakening.
“This can lead to a very early delivery of a non-viable child. Incompetent cervix usually happens before 20 weeks of pregnancy.”
Though this condition can happen, it does not put a limit on how many times LEEP can be performed.
If a woman has CIN, the LEEP needs to be done when recommended based on factors unrelated to the potential repetitions of the procedure.
“When performing a LEEP procedure, it’s important to balance getting all the precancerous cells out vs. taking too much of the cervix out,” explains Dr. Riobe.
“Cervical dysplasia can recur in about 30 percent of cases if the entire precancerous lesion is not removed.
“When successfully removed, dysplasia has only a four percent recurrence rate. A repeat LEEP procedure can potentially increase the risk of cervical incompetence during pregnancy.
“Not properly treating dysplasia can also be dangerous, as it can progress to cancer. It’s a delicate balance that requires significant expertise and guidance.
“In women who are either done with childbearing or menopausal, most gynecologists would recommend a hysterectomy for recurrent cervical dysplasia following a LEEP.
“Alternatively, a cold knife cone biopsy can be performed which is done under anesthesia because a significantly larger section of the cervix is removed during this procedure.”
Dr. Riobe has helped thousands of patients overcome difficult illnesses by addressing root causes, not just masking symptoms. The Riobe Method focuses on the prevention of disease, not the prevention of death from disease. She has over 15 years’ experience using integrative techniques to treat diverse patients.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
