It’s best to schedule LEEP for a time when you are not menstruating, so that your cervix can be clearly seen. Before the procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form and you may be given medication to prevent cramping. The procedure itself usually takes only a few minutes.
A Close-up View
Just as with a Pap test, you’ll place your feet in stirrups and your healthcare provider will insert a speculum (a small, tubelike instrument) into your vagina. Your cervix is numbed with a local anesthetic, which also helps reduce bleeding. Then a mild vinegar or iodine solution is applied to your cervix to highlight any dysplasia. To get a close-up view of the surface of your cervix, your healthcare provider looks through a colposcope (a magnifying instrument) placed outside your vagina.