LEEP or Cone procedure & TTC

cutemary007 · April 2012

Hey ladies. My husband and I have been TTC for 7mths now. I called my doctor who is referring me to a fertility specialist. I was wondering why she would send me there so soon. Now I'm starting to read why.

I had a LEEP procedure done 3 years ago. I told it would be just fine and I would not have any fertility issues in the future. That was of course my biggest concern. Now I'm happy, healthy, and ready to expand my family with my husband and having issues. Is this common?? I feel totally lied to. Like maybe I should have done more research before having the procedure done.

Anyone know anything about this?? Have any of you had a LEEP or Cone Biopsy??

gplove94 · April 2012

I responded to your other post - not sure if you saw. Yes I had a Leep/Cone in 2006. At the time my OB told me my fertility would not be affected. I'm on cycle11 of TTC - however it appears our issue is male factor (varicocele on the left). The RE I just started seeing did tell me that Leep/Cone surgery that removes part of the cervix can remove mucous receptors. I do get EWCM. I'm not sure if it's considered a lot because before my surgery I never checked so I have nothing to compare to. So it's not definite that I have an issue w/ mucous or not or that it affected my fertility - but the RE said it could. When I first started TTC, I was concerned. I actually think my first post here had a question about it and others who had the surgery did conceive and carry babies to term. Don't stress too much that you had surgery. At the end of the day you needed it because you would never want to risk cervical cancer. Talk to a doctor about your specific surgery and how much cervix was removed.

Juicy71 · April 2012

I had the LEEP procedure in 2004. When I went in to see my RE, he noticed the scarring right away but after I went through all of my testing, he said that there is no reason that we shouldn't be able to get KU.

gplove94 · April 2012

dawn2zzs:
I had the LEEP procedure in 2004. When I went in to see my RE, he noticed the scarring right away but after I went through all of my testing, he said that there is no reason that we shouldn't be able to get KU.

Hi Dawn!

That's another thing OP you could have scar tissue so you would want a doctor to check that your cervix is open. I didn't have any scarring, but was told if I did they could cut away at it so don't get too upset by that either.

Brooke888Wed157297 · April 2012

Hi! I've had 2 LEEPs over the past 10 years or so. At my HSG, my RE told me that unfortunately the doctor took such a huge chunk of my cervix that now my cervix was very narrow. He had the hardest time doing the procedure because of it. He said this might be an issue as it's another obstacle. I have high prolactin levels, which he is calling my primary diagnosis. He did say though that this has decreased my chances of TTC. I will most likely need to do Clomid + IUI.

Emily.Thorne · April 2012

I had a LEEP done about 5 years ago, 2 yrs before I had my son (if that gives you any comfort!). According to my doctor the concern isn't so much about getting pregnant than it is about carrying the baby. I think it depends on how much cervical tissue was removed, it can cause incompetant cervix. If they know you have had a LEEP they will most likely monitor you throughout the pregnancy. Good luck!

megs2011 · April 2012

::crashing in:::

I had a leep procedure about 2 years ago and DH and I are expecting our first in November. It took us 4 cycles to conceive. My OB said that the only issue that one might have (and it's low) is that you might end up with an incompetent cervix so they will have to keep an eye on it and stitch it shut if need be. I hope that helps.

::Runs back to BMB::

m21megs · April 2012

My doctor also told me the only concern POTENTIALLY could be carrying a baby. If the cervix is too thin, you/we may run the risk of premature labor. I had my LEEP in 2006. Makes me cringe just thinking of that procedure... I wouldn't worry about TTC

Deblondie1 · April 2012

I had a LEEP done in 2006. While it ddn't appear to have an effect on getting pregnant, carrying was an issue. As PPs have stated, it can contribute to IC. In my personal case, the LEEP directly contributed to by DD being born 16 weeks early, due to IC.