You’ve been told you need a LEEP procedure. You might be asking yourself, is pregnancy after LEEP out of the question? You are not alone. One of the biggest concerns of patients about to undergo a LEEP procedure is fertility. Hopefully, this article will shine a light on pregnancy after LEEP and whether you could expect any complications or not. You’ll also find the answer to “how soon after a colposcopy can you get pregnant?” and more.
So, what is a LEEP procedure? Will it affect your fertility? Let’s find out below.
What is a LEEP Procedure?
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or “LEEP,” is when a doctor uses an electric current heated wire loop to remove abnormal tissue and cells from the cervix. The LEEP procedure is an effective part of treating and diagnosing cancerous or abnormal conditions.
In brief, during this procedure, the electric current will pass through the wire loop, removing a thin layer of cancerous or abnormal tissue. After this, a professional will send the tissue sample to a laboratory for diagnostic tests. Moreover, LEEP may remove the abnormal cells, allowing healthy tissue growth.
LEEP procedures are not done routinely in all patients. They are only done after a patient has an abnormal Pap smear AND an abnormal colposcopy. LEEP procedures are usually done when a higher grade abnormality is detected.
Is Pregnancy After LEEP Possible?
Yes, pregnancy after LEEP is highly possible. However, in some instances, patients may experience complications during pregnancy. Namely, the complications that can occur are preterm birth and cervical shortening.
Remember, LEEP procedures do not make getting pregnant more difficult. They also do not guarantee that you will have a preterm birth. They only put patients at increased risk of this occurring. Therefore, the majority of patients with a prior LEEP procedure have completely normal pregnancies.
How Soon After a Colposcopy Can You Get Pregnant?
Now that you know that pregnancy is possible, you might be asking, “how soon after a colposcopy can you get pregnant?”. Immediate recovery from the LEEP procedure itself will take approximately two weeks. Usually, most women should refrain from sexual intercourse during this time.
While your body will be healed after two weeks and pregnancy will be physically possible, you should consider waiting for the pathology results from the LEEP procedure before trying to conceive. In certain circumstances, a repeat LEEP procedure is necessary, and pregnancy should be avoided until it is known whether or not this is needed. Furthermore, follow-up testing with a repeat pap smear is recommended for one to two years after a LEEP procedure. Whether or not pregnancy is recommended during this time depends on the pathology results from the LEEP procedure but should be discussed with your doctor. Overall, you may have to focus on fully recovering before trying to conceive.
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If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts about the LEEP procedure, worry not; you’re in the right hands. Our experts will help guide you through the process, ensuring the best results. Schedule an appointment today.
