What to expect from loop excision of the cervix for cervical dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia means abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. It is not the same as invasive cancer, although some changes need treatment to reduce the chance of progression. During loop excision, a clinician removes the affected area with a thin electrically heated wire. Local anaesthetic is commonly used, and some people may be offered another anaesthetic depending on the setting and procedure plan. The tissue is sent for laboratory examination to check the margins and the grade of change.

Cramping is possible during or after treatment. A watery, brown or blood-stained discharge can occur while the cervix heals. The result helps determine whether further treatment or surveillance is needed.

Use the aftercare instructions provided by your clinic. Keep pads available for discharge and avoid putting anything inside the vagina, including tampons, until your clinician says healing is complete. Avoid strenuous activity if it increases bleeding. Keep your follow-up appointment even if symptoms settle, because cervical checks are how the treated area is assessed. Tell the team if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding condition.

Seek urgent medical advice for bleeding that is heavy or does not ease, severe pelvic pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, dizziness or fainting. These symptoms can indicate significant bleeding or infection and should not be managed by waiting for the planned review.

Ask which anaesthetic is planned, how much tissue may be removed, when the result should arrive, and when you can resume sex, exercise and swimming. Ask how treatment could affect a future pregnancy and which follow-up test is planned.