LEEP Procedure

[green22]

I just had a LEEP performed two days ago to removed CIN 2 cervical dysplasia. I was really upset and sad to learn that I had to have this procedure done, but I am also thankful that they found it and hopefully were able to remove all of the affected tissue before it progressed to cervical cancer. I have two questions to anyone out there who has had a LEEP done:

1) I have read that having a LEEP can affect your ability to carry a child to full term in pregnancy. I am 31 years old and would like to have kids one day, and I'm just worried that this will affect my ability to carry a child. Has anyone had problems having kids because of damage to the cervix from a LEEP?

2) My second question and concern is that my doctor said she would be getting a pathology report on the removed tissue in about a week. I'm so worried that the tissue will actually show something worse than the biopsy, which said I had CIN 2. Has anyone had the experience where their biopsy from the colposcopy showed one thing, but then the pathology report from the LEEP showed something worse?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

[AndiJ78]

I, too, had a LEEP procedure done after the birth of my first son. Ironically I went into PTL with him before even having the procedure done. After having it done, I went on to have 2 healthy and big babies. I was closely watched via u/s's to check cervical length throughout pregnancy and if anything else, it almost seemed as though the scar tissue help keep things closed.

[klowey]

About 2 years ago I had high grade canerous cells and my doctor suggested all of the procedures to rid of the abnormal cells. Nothing worked so I had the LEEP procedure done. At the time of the procedure I was devistated, because my doctor had me sign a release form stating that I am aware that having this procedure will limit my chases of getting pregant to 5%! But I went ahead with it anyway. Now two years later and the high grade cells are back and they want me to have another LEEP procedure ASAP! But reading all of your posts gives me just a glimps of hope to hang on too for having children in the future. Thank you for that to all of you!!

[jewels8888]

you are right... if the proper test are done and treatment we have NO reason for the hpv to cause us any serious harm....

[green22]

Yes, it was HPV.  I think all high-grade cervical dysplasia is caused by HPV.  I am very diligent about my health, so of course, hearing that I had HPV made me feel terrible.  But, then I did some research and realized that up to 80% of adults have the HPV virus in their system.  It's just that we are the unlucky few in which it causes cervical dysplasia.  For most people, it just goes away on its own.  Honestly, sooooo many people have HPV -- it's really not something to feel badly about.  I have had very, very few partners in my life and I still got it.  The main thing is just to stay diligent about getting your pap smears and staying on top of it.  

[jewels8888]

I had the treatment done also last october after the pap and colposcopy confirmed that i had high grade pre-cancerous cells.. i was myself really freaked out and upset by all this. like you one of my concern (i even had a post about this a while back) was can i have more children after this?
well i spoke to my gyn about this 2 weeks ago and she told me yes..
the effects of the leep COULD BE pre mature birth or trouble getting pregnant after..BUT  she said the chances are small.
for your 2nd question i know how you feel ..i was a mess waiting to see what would be the results after the leep was done..
but usually the doctor will follow up on you to have regular colposcopy to make sure all his gone.. i know this might me personal (you d'ont have to answer)
but was it cause be the hpv virus?

[green22]

This is so incredibly helpful.  Thank you very much for your responses!!  I feel alot better.  

[cirella]

Hi, I had a LEEP done in my late 20's and went on to have 2 full term babies when I was 30 and 35.  I had mild dysplasia and have not had a problem since.

Good luck to you!

[mami2karina]

Danielle, the LEEP doesn't make your cervix incompetent until later on in your pregnancy as the baby grows and is putting more pressure on the cervix.  With the weight and pressure from the growing baby on the cervix it can sometimes cause it to start dilating and effacing too soon, that is why the do an ultrasound at around 18 to 19 weeks to check because that's when you're mostly likely to start having problems.  They monitor you well and it's important to communicate with your OB if you are feeling any cramping that feels like it could be contractions or any bleeding because those can be indications that your cervix is opening.  I don't know how far along you were when you m/c, sorry you had to go through that, but if it was early on I honestly doubt your LEEP had anything to do with it at all.  I had 3 m/c's last year and they weren't related to the LEEP OB said most likely it was due to a serious defect and mother nature wouldn't let the pregnancy continue.  I wish you luck.  Wow, I sound like an old medical professional.  I just turned 21.  This is my 1st viable pregnancy since having the LEEP done in 2004 but so far so good.  I go to have my cervix checked on May 9th.

[danielle72007]

Does it sound like my doctor gave me false information or is that just a difference of opinions?? I'm very concerned now about all this.  I felt pretty confident about it before and now after reading your post it makes me really worried.  I'm worried about ever carrying a baby to term now.. but you did so hopefully I'll be okay..

[mami2karina]

Hi!  I had a LEEP done 3 years ago after I had my dd.  I am currently almost 18 weeks pregnant with baby#2.  My doctor told me when they did the LEEP that it may affect my ability to carry a baby to full term but there are tests that they do to check your cervix length, etc and if you are dilating or your cervix is shortening to soon they insert a cerclage, or stitch into your cervix to hold it closed until around 37 weeks then they remove it and you will go on to have your baby, whether it be that day or a few weeks from then depending on how far you were dilated, effaced to begin with.  I go to have my cervix checked on May 9th so we'll see what happens but it is very possible to have a baby after a LEEP.

As for the second question.  My LEEP pathology reports were the same as my colposcopy results thank God.  But I lost my insurance when my ex-husband and I seperated and I hadn't had a pap in over a year and a half and when I got pregnant they did a pap and it came back abnormal again so it'll be a colposcopy for me after I have the baby and hopefully mine hasn't progressed.

Good luck hun!

[danielle72007]

Hi, I myself had to have the LEEP procedure done, it was a year in Feb.  It wasn't too painful for myself, although I did have a panic attack during the procedure.  I have also read the information about LEEP affecting pregnancy and everything.  I found out I was pregnant in Feb of this year but had a miscarriage a few weeks later.  I questioned the doctor over and over if the procedure had anything to do with the miscarriage and he was very confident that it had no affect at all, it was just one of those unfortunate experiences.  He also told me that he has only seen problems with LEEP and pregnancy if its been done several times, and later into a pregnacy and he said he felt it was pretty rare if you've only had it done once.. But that is his opinion.

When I had the procedure done everything came back clear on all my margins, I personally haven't heard of someone having it come back not all that great, but I haven't seen many cases either.  I can also say that I have not had any more abnormal cells come up since the procedure.  They had me come in every 4 months for that year and every time it was good no problems and now I only have to go once a year so I have had a success with it.. I hope you will too, if you have any more questions feel free to ask!