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Women need annual PAP tests. There are many kinds of cervical HPV cells. Some of them go away on their own, some change very slowly to cancerous conditions, and some live on the neck of the cervix doing nothing in particular.
The existence of pre-cancerous cells does have to be dealt with and there are two common methods: The LEEP Procedure and Laser Ablation. During a LEEP procedure, a coil-shaped instrument is inserted and, using a mild electric current, scrapes the surface of the cervical neck and burns off the cells. During Laser Ablation, the cells are vaporised with a laser beam passed over the cervix.
Many women who have had an abnormal PAP smear have one of these procedures and go on to have a normal reproductive life. I had a LEEP about 6 years ago before my children were born.
If you’ve had an abnormal PAP and have been given a choice between the two procedures, you might favour laser ablation if you are planning to have more children. A study released in a journal owned by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that women who have undergone the LEEP procedure are at a higher risk of premature delivery later.
“Women need to know about the risks involved and discuss alternative treatments with their gynaecologist before going ahead with a procedure that increases the risk of pre-term birth,” the study said.
According to a report about the study in the Scotsman, about 1,500 premature births could be prevented annually if a technique other than LEEP is used.
Because you may forget, it’s a good idea to schedule your annual PAP test before you leave the doctor’s office after your six-week postpartum check up.
First off let me say that i really like your blog http://www.babylune.com a lot
now.. back to business lol
I cant say that fully agree with what you typed up… care to explain deeper?
I really appreciated your response. I have forwarded it on to my daughter. I am a bit confused as to the eifferences between:
(A) laser ablation
(B) laser vaporization
(C) Laser conization.
Laser vaporization and laser conization seem to have a multitude of problems. I have continued to search about laser ablation and ‘am going through the data now. Is laser ablation distinct from laser vaporization or laser conization, or is it, in fact, one of these two oother techniques.
If you have any information, hearing from you once again, would be appreciated.
Elizabeth- The point is, she can’t do nothing.
Laser Ablation has even fewer side-effects than the LEEP.
There are no immediate after effects. You are a little sore and there is a little blood. You can even have the procedure while you are pregnant. Most women can have it done and go back to work the same day after taking some ibuprofin.
I can’t give you statistics. HPV has too many different forms for me to know the intricacies of your daughter’s case. Besides, life is not a lottery. Your daughter has to live with risk like everyone else on the planet. That doesn’t make living fully any less worthwhile.
That said, this is not rare or unique. To quote the nurse at the Catholic hospital where I was treated, “Anyone whose anyone has had HPV.”
I can tell you Laser ablation is probably the least invasive method and it will not impact her ability to get pregnant or carry a baby to term.
She will just need to be watched a little more carefully especially if she has twins or if there is a family history of premature birth. That said, I had full-term 10 and 8 pound children after I had the LEEP which is said to thin the cervix more than laser ablation.
As for the lesions returning, well, that’s pretty much lifestyle and luck. If she smokes, she should stop. If she doesn’t eat whole grains and between 5 and 10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, she should start. If she doesn’t exercise, she should start.
My point is, this is pre-cancer. It is not the big C. She will have a 20 minute procedure and it will be over.
If the lesions come back in three or four years, she can have the same procedure again if she needs to, but they’ll test her every six months and she probably won’t need to. HPV is a slow-moving thing and if she is being watched they will find it.
If they come back a third time, then there are more serious treatments, but she is not at that point and it probably won’t happen in the next twenty years.
Please try your best to support your daughter and keep your own worries in check. She needs her strength to get through this stressful time and you can help by being there and listening.
But, as far as this treatment goes, it’s less painful than root canal and normal life resumes immediately.
Can you please tell me what the pros and cons are for laser ablasive surgery on the cervix. I am asking on behalf of my 27 year-old daugher. She is unmarried, has no children. I am concerned about the immediate effects of this type of surgery, the long-term prognosis of the CIN II lesions she has of returning, the risks she may have in getting and being pregnant, and bearing healthy full-term babies.
If you can respond to my e-mail address that would be wonderful.
1852 days ago
[...] with out health. I know when I bought my last tube of mascara, but I can’t tell you when my PAP is due. It’s certainly worth thinking about. Technorati Tags: celebrity obsession, turn off [...]
This is a very important message to get out there. I don’t think enough women get their annual pap test done. It only takes a little of your time and can be a life saver.
Here via the carnival of pregnancy.
1942 days ago
[...] If it was during your six week postpartum check up, did you make an appointment for your annual PAP smear? [...]
Tracy & Dylan- I am glad you like it. I hope it will help someone faced with a treatment decision.
This is great info and fits well with my audience!
Thanks so much for this information. It’s needed and you presented it well.