"Moderate" dysplasia, impending LEEP, should I wait?

Hello fellow women,
I received the results of my coloscopy today; my OB/GYN says the biopsy showed "moderate dysplasia" with high risk HPV, and had me schedule a LEEP. I have been reading about it online pretty much ever since this afternoon...sigh....you are all so brave to have gone through what you have....Anyway, I'm wondering if I should wait to have the LEEP procedure, as I've found that it can cause you to have a weakened cervix, that you shouldn't get pregnant for at least 6 months....I was planning on getting pregnant before that....even if I could wait the 6 months, what if my body can clear this up on it's own? Could I just have another regular pap done in say, 3 months or something? Shouldn't I have my 2nd (and last) child before going through this? I've already learned that I need to get a copy of the results of the pap as well as the coloscopy. Also, I seem to be starting my period today, a week early- is this because of the colops? Also, I've read that the LEEP disturbs your hormones as well as your period cycle. Is this true? Also, they can't get me in for the L procedure until August. Maybe I should just take vitamins, etc... and have a pap instead. Any opinions, thoughts? I sure would appreciate it, thank you so much for all of these postings, it has made me feel so much more not alone....

By black76mattie
Posted July 1, 2009 at 11:14 pm
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I will keep you posted, certainly. I also am worried about the reproductive risks. I don't have any children yet, so it's weighing heavily on me. I hope that things turn out okay with your situation. Have you had any abnormal paps before?

By IEAGP
Posted July 2, 2009 at 4:17 am
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I am sorry you are going through this. I am 42 and just had a LEEP done for a CIN2 spot. I live in the UK and they said at my age it was harder to clear CIN2/3 on your own so they recommend treatment. As I have 2 kids already, this was not such an issue for me. I think if you are younger you can clear it more easily on your own. I have read lots of informative threads about this on this site so you should search old postings. I know your body is immunosuppressed when you are carrying a child so I think you should do lots of research on this before you make a decision. I don't think that waiting 3 months should be a problem given what I have read but if the CIN2 is still there it just means delaying your plans further I guess. I had a mixed report at my first colpo (CIN2 pap and CIN1 biopsy) and they were going to have me wait 6 months. I got a second opinion and had a LEEP after 3months. During that time I took lots of vitamins (echnicae, mushroom, green tea, folic acid, multi-vit), exercosed, and tried to cut back my alcohol consumption. After 3 months, my spot was still there frustratingly but I have read lots of stories where girls have cleared it on their own. I think age must have a lot to do with it. Also, I did not douche with herbs etx. that a lot of the threads recommend. My life is busy with working and kids so I am lucky to remember to take my vitamins and fit in a little exercise.

Do they know how big the lesion(s) are? Have you had abnormal paps before?

Keep me posted with your situation.

By mommy2four
Posted July 2, 2009 at 5:28 pm
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I'm sorry you're going through all this 4health4! I had mild dysplasia and had a leep nearly 4 weeks ago. I would talk to your doctor and ask the risks involved with future pregnancies and the leep. I have a family member who had a cone and then years later had 2 beautiful children.... a lot of pain when they had to break through the scar tissue from the cone, but carried the babies just fine. Every woman is different - I had the abnormal pap, took a ton of supplements (still taking) and 2 weeks later for the colposcopy the dysplasia was present. I felt very comfortable having the leep & will get the biopsy results from that when I have my check up. For me it was freeing to get rid of it - I am not a wait and see person when it could potentially grow into something worse - just me though & I know God is working on me to be patient, but just a lot going on in my life now with the kids, a move across country...etc.... felt I needed to have the dysplasia taken care of instead of moving & finding a new ob to do another pap...etc. Please keep us posted & I wish you all the best!!

By nyclady
Posted July 5, 2009 at 12:03 pm
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I have read that the high grade lesions have a 50/50 chance of clearing or becoming invasive cervical cancer. I chose to immediately have the LEEP. I was waitlisted to get in earlier than the available date. I received a call within a week.

I would be afraid to wait 3 months and then get pregnant whereby I would have to wait another 9 months, to have this taken care of...

Your current primary responsibility is to your health and that of your first child. I wish you all the best.
I will be thinking of you.

By 4health4
Posted July 5, 2009 at 12:49 pm
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Hello, thank you for responding, I do appreciate it!

Black76Mattie- I'm sorry you're going through this too, having no children yet....Have you had your LEEP yet? If so, how did it go? Please keep me posted.

EIAGP- You're right about it delaying pregnancy plans further if it is still there in 3 months. As far as how big the lesions are....I still have to get the complete path reports this week, but when I was in for the coloscopy, my OB/GYN said he could have almost "gotten it all with just these 2 snips...." you know, as he clipped pieces of my cervix!!" And to answer your other question, I dont' recall having an abnormal pap before, but my Mom seems to remember one from my early 20's....I have never had a coloscopy before though, I know that! You said you just had the LEEP done....how did it go? How big were your lesion/s? Was it painful? How are you now?
Thanks for writing, it sounds like you're really busy.

Mommy2four- You said you had your LEEP like a month ago, how was it?? Also, did you only have 2 weeks of taking supplements and exercising? I run 3-4 days a week, a vegetarian, eat very little sat fat, and after finding out this news have also avoided diet sodas as much as I can, because I have drank them a lot for years....that can't be good I'm thinking. Also I have added fresh steamed vegetables every day- I had been eating them out of cans and frozen (too lazy to steam them lol). I have always taken a multivitamin, and recently added doses of C and D. I haven't had so much as a cold for years! This whole HPV thing is so annoying. Not to mention now I'll be scared to death of getting anal cancer for the rest of my life.

Nyclady- I havent' had any abnormal paps, maybe one, but without a coloscopy needed, and that was like 10 years ago or more. A 50/50 chance, huh? Hmmm. I feel like with my healthy lifestyle I should be one of the 50% that kicks it. But you're right, it would be awful to have had it gone much further by waiting.

all- I believe I'm going to go with the LEEP early next month- mostly because I "want it off of me" and don't want to delay any preg plans even further. I have read more regarding effects on future pregnancy, and there was one woman who had like 75% of her cervix removed and was still able to have a child. Also, some of the risks can be dealt with, like needing your cervix closed or opened manually. Also I read of a woman who had a CIN1 and then found out by the LEEP results that it was actually cancer in situ!! I am scared about what they will find, but I will just have to get over it. I'm getting the patho results from my pap and the colos this week, will let you all know any info. Please keep me up to date on your situations, even if it's just a future pap after LEEP showing you're clear!
Thanks again, sincerely.

By teb83
Posted July 6, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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Hi, I was in a similar condition. I wanted to have a baby soon and was told I needed a LEEP.

Don't wait! Get it done now because when you get pregnant the hormones can make the precancerous cells grow and they won't be able to treat them as effectively when you are pregnant.

You want to get those bad cells out before they turn deadly.

My ob/gyn told me that a LEEP does not affect fertility and should be ok, they just watch you more often.

You should take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby later! We're talking about potential cancer here!

Thanks! & good luck!

By black76mattie
Posted July 7, 2009 at 8:39 pm
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Hello. I haven't had the LEEP yet. I too was conflicted for the same reasons. They biopsied two leisons and one came back CIN I and the other was "difficult to determine, favors CIN II." Since the second one wasn't a definate, I felt unsure and was determined to talk to my doctor and maybe delay for three months. Arrived and the nurse told me he was stuck in the OR and I couldn't have it done that day, would have to reschedule.

I talked to another OBGYN there and she said that if I choose not to have it, I'll have to be watched closely and go in every three months.

She said that CIN II can clear on its own, but it can take a long time (12 weeks - 18 months, if at all) and she was a little worried about the stress that several "bad" paps in a row could cause. As we all know, stress = low immune system = worse lesions.

I'm still undecided. I may schedule the LEEP for late August, then go have a pap done somewhere else a few weeks beforehand.

I feel for you, we're in the same boat and it can be a scary one. Just know that I'm thinking of you and wish you the best.

Welcome to Inspire!

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