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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / Study: Certain Cervical Treatments Less Problematic Than Previously Thought

Study: Certain Cervical Treatments Less Problematic Than Previously Thought

August 24, 2012 By Site Admin

When women are diagnosed with cervical dysplasia – abnormal, often pre-cancerous cells in the cervix – the obvious course of action is to remove those cells to protect the patient’s overall health. Unfortunately there are risks that come with having even small portions of the cervix removed, particularly for women who hope to get pregnant in the future.

What is LEEP?

Loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) is generally performed following a biopsy that shows abnormal cells in the cervix. The abnormalities themselves are usually discovered during a routine Pap smear test.

During the LEEP, your OB/GYN will insert a thin metal wire through your vagina. The wire is heated electrically, and is used to cut away the pre-cancerous cells. In most cases, the procedure is brief and happens in the doctor’s office, utilizing local anesthesia in the form of a numbing agent.

While LEEP itself is not dangerous, the primary concern of many patients has always been whether having the procedure will affect any future pregnancies.

LEEP and Pregnancy: New Findings

That’s what makes this latest study so encouraging. Researchers in London have found that LEEP risks may not be as problematic as previously thought. While the past wisdom has been that performing this procedure would result in an increased chance of premature birth with later pregnancies, the latest numbers make that likelihood seem much smaller.

The study includes data from over 44,000 women in the UK, all of whom underwent. What researchers discovered from over 18,000 of those women had later decided become pregnant was that – after allowing for specific variables in the data – they found no evidence of increased instances of premature birth.

The study’s authors note that these results are different from those found in similar studies that took place in other countries. Professor Peter Sasieni, who performed the study, suspects that the issue in some other countries may be that doctors there are not as well-trained in performing LEEP. This suspicion underscores the importance of finding a qualified, board-certified OB/GYN for this and any other gynecological procedure.

For women still concerned about LEEP, it is important to remember that your doctor will not suggest a procedure like this unless abnormal and potentially pre-cancerous cells are indicated in your Pap smear, meaning that you are at risk for cervical cancer. Since cancer treatments have far more serious consequences on fertility, LEEP and other procedures to remove abnormal cervical cells are the far safer route.

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Filed Under: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care, Research & New Techniques, Surgical Care & Procedures Tagged With: conditions and treatments, gynecology, research

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Being a patient-centered practice goes well beyond seeing patients in our office. We want to help you find important answers before you even step in the door. Our OB/GYN blog helps us accomplish this goal but more importantly, helps women like you better understand your unique health needs. Browse around and learn more about pregnancy, general women’s health, exciting new research and more!

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All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Creative Pregnancy Announcement : Fruits for Pregnant Women

OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

Gainesville Maternity Care

 

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