Information for patients following Loop Diathermy treatment
Today you have had treatment known as Loop Diathermy (LLETZ) to remove an abnormality on your cervix (neck of the womb); this is called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). This page gives you information about what to expect after the treatment and in the future.
What to expect after treatment
The rate of healing following LLETZ can differ from person to person. Most women are able to return to their normal activities the same day, including light exercise. We recommend that you can return to work depending on how you feel, taking into consideration the demands of your job.
The cervix should heal completely within 4 to 6 weeks, but some patients make a full recovery as early as 3 weeks after treatment. In the first 3 to 4 weeks following treatment, you should use sanitary towels only and avoid sex to help prevent infection and allow the cervix to heal. You can shower or bath as normal but avoid swimming for 4 weeks.
You may have bleeding, similar to a period for the first week. This will be followed by a blood-stained brownish discharge which may continue for up to 3 weeks and can sometimes become watery and yellowish in colour. This is part of the natural healing process and varies from woman to woman.
However, if the bleeding and discharge becomes excessive (not a period) or smells very unpleasant and you have pain in your lower abdomen that does not get better with simple pain relief, please contact your GP for advice. You may need treatment with antibiotics.
If you have any pain this should be fairly mild, similar to period pains. Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen should help. Please follow the instructions inside the packet.
Periods
Your next period should be normal although may be heavier than usual. You may notice a temporary change in your menstrual cycle, if this continues to be a problem, please discuss with your GP.
What can I do or not do after LLETZ treatment?
Do not:
- have sexual intercourse for 3 to 4 weeks, or until the vaginal discharge stops
- use tampons until the vaginal discharge stops
- swim until the vaginal discharge stops, this is usually around 4 weeks
- use vaginal douching (washing out)
- take part in strenuous exercise until the bleeding settles down
You can:
- have a bath or shower from the day of your treatment
- return to work if you feel able
- wear sanitary pads until the bleeding and vaginal discharge stops
- take pain relief when needed, following the instructions inside the packet
- continue to use the contraceptive pill
Results
The abnormal tissue removed from your cervix will be sent to the laboratory for further tests. The results will be sent to you and your GP within 4 weeks, together with information about any follow-up that may be needed.
Follow up smears and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing
In 95 out of every 100 cases, a single treatment is effective at removing the abnormal cells. However, about 1 in 20 women will find that the abnormal cells continue to develop despite the treatment and a repeat treatment may be needed. Because of this, follow up cervical cytology tests are very important to make sure you have been successfully treated.
Everyone who has had LLETZ treatment will need to have a cervical cytology test 6 months after their treatment. The cells taken from this test will look for evidence of High Risk (HR) HPV that can cause cervical cell changes.
HPV testing helps identify who may be more at risk of developing cervical cell changes. Please see leaflet GHPI0787 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for further information.
If your first cervical cytology test after treatment does not detect HR HPV, then the result means it is highly unlikely that you will have any further abnormal cells. You will not require another cervical cytology test for 3 to 5 years. However, depending on the result of the loop treatment, some individuals may be recalled for an additional cervical cytology test 18 months after their treatment.
Pregnancy
This treatment should not affect your ability to become pregnant. However, some studies have suggested treatment may slightly weaken the cervix and can slightly increase the risk of premature delivery. Whereas other studies have shown that if you have ever had any pre-cancerous changes on the cervix, you are at a slightly higher risk of early labour than women who have not had these changes. We therefore consider that one loop diathermy treatment is unlikely to have an effect on fertility or increase preterm labour. If you become pregnant after this treatment, we advise you to inform your GP and midwife that you have had loop diathermy treatment.
If you happen to be pregnant when your next cervical cytology test is due, please do not worry. You should notify your GP and arrange for your smear test 3 months after delivery.
Travelling after having treatment
There is no medical reason to avoid travelling after treatment, but if you have any complications after the procedure while overseas, your insurance may not cover the medical attention you need.
Contact information
If you have any questions about the treatment or if you need advice, please contact the Colposcopy Helpline.
Please note we are unable to give out results over the phone.
Colposcopy Helpline
Tel: 0300 422 2385
This is an answerphone service. Your call will be returned between Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Email: ghn-tr.colposcopyhelpline@nhs.net
If you require urgent medical advice/assistance outside of these hours, please contact either your GP or NHS 111.
NHS 111
Tel: 111
Appointments
Tel: 0300 422 2914
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Further information
Further information can be obtained from:
NHS Cervical Screen Programme
Website: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical
Email: info@cancerscreening.nhs.uk
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust
Tel: 0808 802 8000
Website: www.jostrust.org.uk
British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
Website: www.bsccp.org.uk