Facing a LEEP procedure can have some women quite unsettled, but if you arm yourself with the right questions to ask your doctor, you’ll feel more in control and less nervous.
LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure and is performed to remove abnormal tissue that’s detected via Pap smear.
Of course, you’ll be given local anesthesia.
What’s scarier for many women who are facing a LEEP is not the actual procedure itself (which lasts only a few minutes and is safe), but WHY it has to be done: removal of precancerous tissue.
Another nerve-racking component is the idea that the procedure could uncover a worse situation than what’s been anticipated.
Questions About LEEP to Ask Your Doctor
“What are the possible immediate and long-term side effects of LEEP?” recommends Mylaine Riobe, MD, founder of Riobe Institute of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Riobe, board certified in OB/GYN and integrative medicine, is the author of “The Answer to Cancer.”
Be sure to also ask how long the side effects would last.
“What is the success rate of LEEP for my diagnosis?” is Dr. Riobe’s next recommendation.
“What are the restrictions following the procedure and when can I expect to resume normal activities?”
Additional Questions to Ask About LEEP
• What other treatments are available for my condition?
• What are the benefits and disadvantages of LEEP?
• Why are you recommending LEEP?
• What goes on during the procedure?
• Will the procedure affect future pregnancy attempts?
• Can you tell me about the anesthesia involved?
The LEEP is not to be feared. It is a simple but very reliable procedure.
It’s normal to feel unnerved when you’re told you have “abnormal” tissue or cervical dysplasia.
This is not an urgent situation and there is plenty of time to make a decision regarding treatment.
Asking questions about LEEP will help calm your nerves.
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.
.
