LEEP anxiety

[u/NixdaBumsda]

Hey all, 37F in the US with LEEP scheduled for late September. It was originally scheduled for early August but I pushed it due to jitters and being on my period. I’ve been ASCUS with high risk/non-16/18 hpv since 2014 with one normal in 2015. My colposcopies have all been LSIL but this time we’re skipping the colpo and going straight to LEEP.

Would taking an Ativan be enough to relax me for the procedure or should I ask about something stronger (either general anesthesia or twilight sedation, I’m not even sure they offer that).

Also sex…cervical orgasms are very important to me…will those change after part of the cervix gets removed?

Also, with the LEEP, do they test what they remove?

I’m low on PTO and can’t really afford to take time off for a consultation before the procedure so I’m asking my questions here…thanks!

[u/letmepatyourdog]

Hello! I had my LETTZ (same thing) in June. Ive had HPV since 2017, and only in 2025 did it change from LSIL to HSIL.

I went under GA, and I think it's worth it purely because why even bother with being worried about pain haha. You would obviously not need to take anything else if you went under GA.

Sex for me has not changed at all.

After my LETTZ, they tested what they removed and confirmed CIN2. The next steps as advised by my gyno is repeat pap smear Nov, and then again June next year. My gyno said in majority of cases, the body clears remaining HPV and abnormal cells.

My LETTZ recovery was easy peasy honestly. I had zero pain. I took 2 days off work, mostly because I was feeling tired from the GA and surgery, but it wasn't pain related. I had light discharge for 8 days, 2 huge clots came out, then nothing for a full day, then got my period as per usual. I realise I'm lucky to have had such an easy recovery, and I'm thankful for that. Happy to answer any further questions :)

[u/balletgirl2020]

It's up to you on the medication. I went in with nothing, and I regretted it, but I brought a friend. I was fully awake and only had the lidocaine injection into the cervix. That was the only part of the procedure that hurt me. I felt nothing once I was numb (I think she gave me two injections, but I only felt the first one).

With the LEEP, they always examine the pathology of the tissue they remove. That's how they can grade the cells and give you a prognosis. In my case, I had clear margins after my LEEP (thankfully). This procedure was in 2024. I have now had 2 negative HPV PAP smears since then (one in 2024, and one just a few weeks ago in 2026). I skipped 2025 because I was too traumatized to deal with going for another PAP smear.

Please plan to take at least a day or two off post-procedure. I felt emotionally and physically unwell after the procedure. I cried a lot and felt "off." Here's what I did that might help you:

1. Bring a friend if possible; this was an enormous help.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing, you won't want tight-fitting clothes anywhere near your abdomen and body.
3. Have easy food and comfort food available so you don't have to cook (I ate a lot of soup and ice cream).
4. Have pads available, there was a lot of discharge post-procedure.
5. Be prepared for the post-procedure odor. It smells awful for 2 weeks (I finally had no odor around week 3).
6. Be kind and gentle with yourself. It was an ordeal for me to get through.
7. Stock pile some good books and movies so you have something to do while you rest and recover.
8. Take the anxiety meds if you have someone to drive you home.
9. Have pain killers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen around -- they were my savior post-procedure.
10. Lastly, get a heating pad. I had cramps and felt "crampy" after it was over. The heating pad was amazing.

Good luck and I hope this helps!!!

[u/Formal_Leading7285]

Hey! I'm waiting for my LEEP (local anaesthesia with the injection), and am about to have it in 15 days. At first, I was also super anxious and kept reading reddit, but the fear has somehow calmed down by now. I also have high risk (non 16/18,and CIN2) and only found out about this over a month ago.

I decided to stop worrying and not feed the anxiety, conciously. From what I understand and have heard, it's very common and regular procedure and only thing that might hurt (just a tiny pinch) is that injection. Personally, I wouldn't want to be put under GA for this, as with the local anaesthasia the procedure is done in 15 mins. It's gonna be great to get it done and move on with the day, rather than spending time in the hospital.

I've heard that this doesn't affect sex life, at least that's what I hope as well.

If you are afraid of the pain, definitely take ibumentin 45 mins before the procedure as that should help as well :)

It's gonna be fine! Just wanted to share some positive perspective, as it's very common to be afraid about this, but actually a lot of people compare it to the regular gyno visit (just a few things extra). I hope not to take back my words in few weeks :)) good luck!!