Loop Electro Surgical Excision Procedure - LEEP

The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure uses low voltage high frequency radio waves to excise abnormal tissue usually within the cervical canal. This procedure is used primarily to diagnose and treat cervical abnormalities. This procedure is done when the patient is not having the period to have a clear view. During the procedure, the patient lies on her back with her legs held in stirrups. A speculum (retractor used to separate the walls of the vagina) is inserted into the vagina after local anesthesia. Once the offending tissue is identified, a loop of thin wire is inserted through which the HF radio waves pass which act as precision scalpel to excise the tissue.

The whole procedure can be done within a few minutes and the patient may have slight discharge afterwards. It may take a few weeks to heal. During this recovery period, she would be advised not to insert any objects into the vagina. She may have to abstain from having sexual intercourse during the convalescing period.

Cervicitis

An inflammation of the cervix mainly due to an infection is Cervicitis. The infected cells of the cervix become irritated and may become red, swollen and ooze mucus and pus. They could bleed easily when touched. The most important cause of Cervicitis is sexually transmitted disease although many women do not test positive for any type of infection though contracted with Cervicitis.

Symptoms of Cervicitis

Many women do not exhibit any symptoms and if tested may be positive for Cervicitis. If present, the signs and symptoms include:

• Vaginal discharge which could be grayish or pale yellow.
  
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding after sex, between periods.
  
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
  
• Pelvic or abdominal pain, fever in some cases.
  
• Vaginal irritation
  
• Pain in the vagina
  
• Pressure or heaviness in the pelvis.
  

Serious symptoms might indicate a life-threatening condition and immediate medical care should be sought. If Cervicitis is suspected during pregnancy, there could be life-threatening symptoms including - high fever, severe nausea and vomiting and severe pelvic pain.

Causes of Cervicitis

Cervicitis is most often caused by an infection caught during sexual activity. Some sexually transmitted diseases include gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes Virus and Trichomoniasis. Other possible causes for Cervicitis are:

• Use of a diaphragm or cervical cap insertion into the pelvic area.
  
• Allergy to condoms and latex
  
• Chemical exposure
  
• Many sexual partners
  
• High risk sexual behavior
  
• Sex at an early age.

When the vagina is overwhelmed by unhealthy and harmful bacteria, it can cause Cervicitis. Hormonal imbalance with relatively low estrogen or high progesterone may interfere with the body's ability to maintain healthy cervical tissue. Cancer treatment and radiation therapy can also cause Cervicitis.

Diagnosing Cervicitis

A doctor first gets a closer look at the cervix when Cervicitis is suspected. Then the doctor will swab the cervix, collect vaginal fluid and see how it bleeds. The patient's sexual history is noted. A routine examination of the cervix is conducted if you are pregnant or the doctor thinks that there is high risk for sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea or Chlamydia. Inspection of the discharge under a microscope may show Trichomoniasis or Bacterial Vaginosis. Pap smear is also done. Rarely, colposcopy and biopsy of the cervix is necessary to rule out cancer.

Reducing risk of Cervicitis

You can reduce or lower the risk of Cervicitis by:

• Avoiding known allergens.
  
• Avoiding sexual intercourse.
  
• Monogamous sexual partner.
  
• Following instructions while using diaphragm or cervical cap.
  
• Getting tested for STD infections annually.
  
• Getting vaccinated against human papilloma virus.
  
• Using condoms during sexual intercourse.
  

Treatment

If sexually transmitted infection is not the cause, then you do not need treatment for Cervicitis. If an infection is suspected, the main goal would be to eliminate the infection and prevent it from spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes, in case of pregnancy.

In case of bacterial infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and others, antibiotics are used for treatment. Antiviral drugs may be used to treat herpes infections. Hormonal therapy with estrogen and progesterone may be used in women who have reached menopause. When such treatments fail, and Cervicitis is still present for a long time, then cryosurgery, electro cauterization and laser therapy are adopted.

The doctor would prescribe the line of treatment depending upon the cause of infection. The doctor may advice antibiotics, antifungal medications and antiviral medications. The doctor may also recommend treating the partner to rule out chances of infection again. It is recommended to avoid sexual contact till the partner has finished treatment.

If medications such as Antibiotics do not work in some cases, there are other options available recently:
Loop Electro surgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
Cryotherapy, Electrocoagulation or Laser to cauterize the affected tissue.

Tips to prevent Cervicitis

Avoid chemical irritants such as deodorant tampons. When inserting any foreign objects into the vagina, make sure that they are properly placed. Be in a monogamous sexual relationship. Use latex condom every time of sex to lower the risk of getting sexually transmitted infections. A condom must be properly used every time.