Doctors use the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove precancerous cells from the cervix. It’s a quick, minor surgical procedure that can be done in the office or operating room.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, or womb. Doctors may find abnormal cells in the cervix during another test, like a Pap smear or colposcopy. During LEEP surgery, they cut those cells away with a small wire loop heated by an electrical current.
The LEEP procedure is a minimally invasive way to prevent unhealthy cells from turning into cervical cancer. Your chances of cervical cancer after LEEP are low.
LEEP is a procedure that can keep you from getting cervical cancer. Doctors use it to remove abnormal cells from the cervix before they can turn into cancer. Precancerous cells are also called cervical dysplasia.
You may hear the procedure, LEEP surgery, called a few different names. These include loop excision or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).
Here’s how LEEP works:
LEEP removes precancerous cells, but it can also help doctors find early-stage cervical cancer. Doctors send the removed cervical tissue to a lab. A pathologist — a doctor who specializes in examining tissue under a microscope — can check it for cancer.
They can also use LEEP to find and treat other conditions, like cervical polyps and genital warts.
Our doctors use LEEP to diagnose and treat:
If your doctor recommends a LEEP procedure, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Rather, doctors usually use LEEP as an effective way to prevent cancer. That’s because it removes unhealthy cells before they can turn into cancer.
However, LEEP can also help find early-stage cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers are slow-growing and take years to develop. If doctors can find them early enough, LEEP can be effective in keeping cervical cancer from getting worse.
Your doctor may recommend LEEP if:
You’re a good candidate for LEEP if your doctor has confirmed you have cervical dysplasia (abnormal cervical cells) or precancerous cervical cells. They may be able to see abnormal cells during a colposcopy.
If you want to get pregnant in the future, LEEP can also preserve your fertility. It’s a minimally invasive way to treat precancerous cells.
You may not be a good candidate for LEEP if you have one of the following conditions:
There are some other ways to remove abnormal cervical cells. Your doctor can talk to you about which methods are right for you.
These treatments include:
LEEP is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. It takes place without general anesthesia, meaning you will be awake while it’s happening.
However, as with any procedure, there are some risks to LEEP, which include:
Most women can have normal pregnancies after LEEP. In rare cases, LEEP may cause cervical scarring, which can make it harder to get pregnant. Rarely, it may also cause weakening of the cervix, which could lead to preterm birth in future pregnancies.
LEEP is usually done in a doctor’s office. It can also happen in a surgical clinic or hospital. You’ll go home soon after the procedure is over.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about when you need to arrive at the appointment. You don’t need to fast before the procedure.
For 24 to 48 hours before your LEEP procedure, don’t:
Here are some things you can do before your LEEP procedure appointment:
The LEEP procedure only takes about 10 to 20 minutes. You may need to arrive at the appointment early to check in and get ready. You should also plan to stay for a while afterwards, as you might feel faint or dizzy.
It’s best if you have someone to drive you home after your LEEP procedure.
You will undress and put on a hospital gown. Your doctor will have you lie back just like you would for a routine pelvic exam, with your feet in stirrups.
Your doctor will put an instrument called a speculum in your vagina. It holds the vaginal walls open so the doctor can see the cervix. Your doctor may also use a magnifying tool called a colposcope to better see the cervix and any abnormal tissue.
Your doctor will spread acetic acid on the cervix. This liquid helps to highlight abnormal tissue.
You will have a local anesthetic to numb the cervix. Once the area is numb, your doctor will insert a thin wire loop with an electrical current to remove the abnormal tissue. They will send the tissue sample to a laboratory to get tested.
You shouldn’t feel much pain during a LEEP procedure. You may feel a pinch or sting from the anesthetic to numb the cervix. And you may notice a sensation of pressure or warmth as the electric wire removes the abnormal tissue.
If you feel discomfort during your LEEP procedure, concentrate on your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths and try to keep your belly and legs relaxed.
If you feel discomfort right after your LEEP procedure, ask your doctor about taking pain medicine. They may recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with minor pain.
LEEP procedure recovery generally takes about four weeks. Ask your doctor about what you should and shouldn’t do during that time.
For the first week, you should avoid:
For the first month after LEEP, don’t:
Be aware that a LEEP procedure may affect your menstrual cycle for a few months. Your period may be heavier or lighter, and you may have spotting between periods. Your cycle may start earlier or later than usual.
Within a few months, your period should return to normal. If it doesn’t, check with your doctor at your next visit.
After a LEEP procedure, it’s important to schedule regular follow-up visits with your doctor. They can make sure abnormal cells haven’t grown back.
You should have:
Having regular Pap smears and HPV tests can help doctors find any subsequent abnormal changes earlier.
You should call your doctor right away if you have:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-08-11.
