How Soon Can You Have Sex After LEEP?

Updated on January 27, 2025

Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD

Sex after LEEP should typically be postponed for four to six weeks. Because LEEP is a surgical procedure, there are some things to be aware of regarding sex post-LEEP. How long you wait depends on how much of your cervical tissue is removed. The more abnormal the cervical tissue, the more time it will take the cervix to heal fully.

Avoiding infection after LEEP procedure — Verywell / Emily Roberts

What Is a LEEP?

A loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) helps diagnose and treat abnormal or cancerous conditions in the cervix. The procedure is normally done after less invasive testing (e.g., Pap testing or colposcopy) has found abnormal cell growth. A thin wire loop removes these cells from your cervix for further testing. The purpose of a LEEP is to prevent cervical cancer.

Sex After a LEEP

Most people are advised to refrain from having sex for about four to six weeks after the LEEP. Having sex before your cervix heals can increase your risk of infection.

Oral sex is still sex; after a LEEP, open wounds need time to heal. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about abstaining from sex (including oral sex) until you are fully healed. During your follow-up appointment, check to be sure it's OK to proceed with your partner.

In addition to not having sex, your healthcare provider may instruct you not to douche or use tampons after the procedure. You also need to avoid swimming or soaking in a bathtub until your healthcare provider gives you the green light.

Even if you feel fine and believe your cervix is fully healed, you should follow your healthcare provider's guidance about when it will be safe to start having sex again.

How Much Do You Usually Bleed After a LEEP?

You'll notice some brownish discharge after the procedure for one to four days. The amount of discharge and bleeding varies for every woman. Bleeding may come and go over the next two weeks. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice heavy bleeding, bleeding with clots, or other concerning symptoms, like fever.

LEEP and Sexual Pleasure

After a LEEP, temporary discomfort during sex (including vaginal pain, numbness, and a sensation of cervical pressure) has been reported. This may be because the cervix becomes narrower after a LEEP.

Studies have found that a LEEP can lead to vaginal dryness and decreased sexual interest and arousal. In addition, some research shows that those who have had a LEEP may lose some ability to orgasm and have less sexual satisfaction.

However, more research is needed to understand how or why this happens and how it can be treated.

LEEP and Pregnancy

Most people have mild or no complications after LEEP. However, the removal of cervical tissue in LEEP can weaken your cervix, and this can cause several pregnancy complications:

Miscarriage: One study has shown that among people who have previously had a LEEP, miscarriages were reported at a rate of about 18% in pregnancies that occurred less than 12 months after the procedure.
Preterm delivery: Another study found that people with previous LEEPs had a 7.2% rate of preterm deliveries, whereas the control population had a 4.6% rate of preterm deliveries. The risk of preterm delivery increases in people who have had repeat LEEPs.

How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After a LEEP?

Healthcare providers usually recommend waiting six months after a LEEP before trying to conceive. Follow up with your OBGYN to be sure the abnormal cells are gone.

In pregnancies that occurred 12 months or later after a LEEP, no significant difference emerged in the rates of miscarriages in those who had the procedure.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should contact your healthcare provider if any of the following occurs during your recovery:

Abnormally heavy bleeding (heavier than your menstrual flow)
Bleeding with clots
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Fever over 100.4 F
Abdominal pain

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Summary

The standard wait time for sex is four to six weeks after a LEEP. Always confirm your ability to resume having sex with your healthcare provider. Having sex too soon after a LEEP can cause serious complications, including infection.

Issues with sexual dysfunction may be experienced after this procedure. Getting pregnant too soon after a LEEP may increase your risk of complications during pregnancy.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About your loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
Columbia Health. When is it okay to start having intercourse after a LEEP?
Giovannetti O, Tomalty D, Greco S, et al. Patient and provider perspectives on LEEP/LLETZ treatment and outcomes: an interview study. J Sex Med. 2023;20(7):977-990. doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdad026
Bjørge T, Skare GB, Bjørge L, Tropé A, Lönnberg S. Adverse pregnancy outcomes after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Obstet Gynecol. 2016;128(6):1265-1273. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000001777
Ciavattini A, Clemente N, Delli Carpini G, et al. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure and risk of miscarriage. Fertil Steril. 2015;103(4):1043-1048. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.12.112
Heinonen A, Gissler M, Riska A, Paavonen J, Tapper AM, Jakobsson M. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure and the risk for preterm delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(5):1063-1068. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828caa31
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Fertility and pregnancy after a LEEP.

By Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH
Herndon is a freelance health/medical writer with a graduate certificate in science writing from Johns Hopkins University.

Originally written by Lisa Fayed

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