Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCervical CryosurgeryColposcopyDilation and Curettage (D&C)HysteroscopyLEEP ProcedurePelvic Laparoscopy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cervical Cryosurgery
Colposcopy
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Hysteroscopy
LEEP Procedure
Pelvic Laparoscopy
Millions of people have agynecological procedure or surgery(of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, or vagina) each year.This article describes the most common gynecological procedures and surgeries, why they are done, and what to expect.With all gynecological procedures, tell your healthcare provider if you are or could be pregnant.Dana Neely / Taxi / Getty ImagesCervical CryosurgeryAbnormal cervical cells are sometimes discovered during a routinePap smear(screening for cervical cancer). Abnormal cells do not always indicate cancer, but your healthcare provider will likely want to do some follow-up tests or procedures.One procedure they may recommend is cervicalcryosurgery, also called cryotherapy. This procedure is a highly effective gynecological treatment that freezes a section of thecervix.What Is the Cervix?The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus (referred to as the “neck”) that opens into the vagina.Abnormal cervical cells that show changes indicating it could lead to cancer are called precancerous cells. Cryosurgery destroys these cells to stop them from developing into cancer.Agynecologistmay use the term cervical dysplasia to describe this condition.ColposcopyAcolposcopyis a non-surgical diagnostic tool used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva more closely. It is sometimes used when a person has an abnormalPap smear.A healthcare provider uses a colposcope, a magnifying instrument, during the procedure. If an area appears concerning during this procedure, they may take a sample and send it to the laboratory for testing.Abnormal Pap Smear Results: What Do They Mean?Dilation and Curettage (D&C)Dilation and curettage(D&C) is one of the most common gynecological procedures.During this procedure, a healthcare provider removes a portion of your uterine lining with a suction device or a sharpcurette(a surgical instrument used for scraping).The procedure can diagnose uterine conditions, including:Uterine cancerUterine polyps(overgrowth of tissue in the uterine lining)Endometrial hyperplasia(an abnormally thick uterine lining)In addition, D&Cs are commonly used forabortion procedures,miscarriage,molar pregnancy, and retained placenta (when a placenta does not come out after childbirth).What to Expect in a D&CHysteroscopyHysteroscopyis a procedure your healthcare provider may use to diagnose or treat uterine problems. This procedure might be used to:Remove adhesions (scar tissue)Locate anintrauterine deviceDetermine the cause of repeated miscarriageDuring this procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted, telescope-like instrument, into your uterus through the vagina.Then, it sends pictures of your uterus to a screen for further examination.What to Expect in a HysteroscopyLEEP ProcedureWhen a Pap smear indicates abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, a healthcare provider may recommend a loopelectrosurgicalexcision procedure (LEEP).An electrically charged, thin wire loop is used to cut away the abnormal tissue during the procedure.The procedure is fast and performed under local anesthesia in a doctor’s office.LEEP: Everything You Need to KnowPelvic LaparoscopyLaparoscopyis a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia.It is used for:Tubal ligation(tying the fallopian tubes for permanent birth control)Gallbladder removalHernia repairTreatingendometriosisanduterine fibroidsThe typical pelvic laparoscopy involves a small (1/2- to 3/4-inch) incision in the belly button or lower abdomen. A surgeon then pumps carbon dioxide into your abdomen to help them see your organs more easily.Depending on your condition, they may also:Take tissue samplesRemove scar tissueRepair your uterusRemove your ovariesWhat to Expect in a Pelvic LaparoscopySummaryCommon gynecological procedures include cervical cryosurgery, colposcopy, D&C, hysteroscopy, LEEP, and pelvic laparoscopy. Many of these procedures can help healthcare providers get a better look at the uterus, cervix, and vagina and take samples for a biopsy. Some of them can also treat certain conditions.Understandably, you may have concerns about any procedure your healthcare provider or gynecologist recommends. Learning as much as you can is a good idea. In addition, it’s essential to ask your doctor any questions you may have. Finally, don’t forget to tell them if you may be pregnant, although they usually do a test to check first.
Millions of people have agynecological procedure or surgery(of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, or vagina) each year.
This article describes the most common gynecological procedures and surgeries, why they are done, and what to expect.
With all gynecological procedures, tell your healthcare provider if you are or could be pregnant.
Dana Neely / Taxi / Getty Images
Abnormal cervical cells are sometimes discovered during a routinePap smear(screening for cervical cancer). Abnormal cells do not always indicate cancer, but your healthcare provider will likely want to do some follow-up tests or procedures.
One procedure they may recommend is cervicalcryosurgery, also called cryotherapy. This procedure is a highly effective gynecological treatment that freezes a section of thecervix.
What Is the Cervix?The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus (referred to as the “neck”) that opens into the vagina.
What Is the Cervix?
The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus (referred to as the “neck”) that opens into the vagina.
Abnormal cervical cells that show changes indicating it could lead to cancer are called precancerous cells. Cryosurgery destroys these cells to stop them from developing into cancer.Agynecologistmay use the term cervical dysplasia to describe this condition.
Acolposcopyis a non-surgical diagnostic tool used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva more closely. It is sometimes used when a person has an abnormalPap smear.
A healthcare provider uses a colposcope, a magnifying instrument, during the procedure. If an area appears concerning during this procedure, they may take a sample and send it to the laboratory for testing.
Abnormal Pap Smear Results: What Do They Mean?
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Dilation and curettage(D&C) is one of the most common gynecological procedures.During this procedure, a healthcare provider removes a portion of your uterine lining with a suction device or a sharpcurette(a surgical instrument used for scraping).
The procedure can diagnose uterine conditions, including:
In addition, D&Cs are commonly used forabortion procedures,miscarriage,molar pregnancy, and retained placenta (when a placenta does not come out after childbirth).
What to Expect in a D&C
Hysteroscopyis a procedure your healthcare provider may use to diagnose or treat uterine problems. This procedure might be used to:
During this procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted, telescope-like instrument, into your uterus through the vagina.Then, it sends pictures of your uterus to a screen for further examination.
What to Expect in a Hysteroscopy
When a Pap smear indicates abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, a healthcare provider may recommend a loopelectrosurgicalexcision procedure (LEEP).
An electrically charged, thin wire loop is used to cut away the abnormal tissue during the procedure.The procedure is fast and performed under local anesthesia in a doctor’s office.
LEEP: Everything You Need to Know
Laparoscopyis a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia.It is used for:
The typical pelvic laparoscopy involves a small (1/2- to 3/4-inch) incision in the belly button or lower abdomen. A surgeon then pumps carbon dioxide into your abdomen to help them see your organs more easily.
Depending on your condition, they may also:
What to Expect in a Pelvic Laparoscopy
Summary
Common gynecological procedures include cervical cryosurgery, colposcopy, D&C, hysteroscopy, LEEP, and pelvic laparoscopy. Many of these procedures can help healthcare providers get a better look at the uterus, cervix, and vagina and take samples for a biopsy. Some of them can also treat certain conditions.
Understandably, you may have concerns about any procedure your healthcare provider or gynecologist recommends. Learning as much as you can is a good idea. In addition, it’s essential to ask your doctor any questions you may have. Finally, don’t forget to tell them if you may be pregnant, although they usually do a test to check first.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.HPV and pap test results: next steps after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test.
Wright JD.Patient education: management of a cervical biopsy with precancerous cells (Beyond the Basics).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Colposcopy.
Braaten KP, Dutton C.Dilation and curettage. UpToDate.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial hyperplasia.
UpToDate.Patient education: Dilation and curettage (D&C) (Beyond the Basics).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Hysteroscopy.
UpToDate.Overview of hysteroscopy.
MedlinePlus.Pelvic laparoscopy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQs: Special procedures: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).Feltmate CM, Feldman S.Patient Education: Colposcopy (Beyond the Basics).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQs: Special procedures: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
Feltmate CM, Feldman S.Patient Education: Colposcopy (Beyond the Basics).
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