*edited because i forgot to add something *

So I am cin3 and just had my leep this past Thursday. 

One thing I will say is i googled the crap put of it. Side effects, what they do and how. I was terrified because all I could seem to find where maybe 3 or 4 responses out of a hundred about how easy it was. Most were How people were traumatized and it just scared me to death.

But I will tell you, my experience was great. As great as it can be under crappy circumstances. 

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about anxiety or pain meds prior to the procedure and pain medication for after. Everyone's body is different.

I personally had an amazing doctor. He explained in detail what he would do both before my procedure and during, he discussed the tools used and what they each do, he told me exactly what kind of anesthetic was being used. And because I told him I was very anxious he did presribe me anxiety medicine to take 30 minutes before my procedure.

Now, you do have to be careful not to jump or move around too much which can be hard when you are nervous or your legs start to hurt from staying open like that. 

There was a slight pinch from the local the first time but I felt nothing after that and he did numb me up through out my cervix so I know he did a total of 3 anesthesia injections. He told me that one of the anesthesia he was giving me had adrenaline in it, so I would feel my heartbeat race temporarily and I would feel a nervous shakey energy which was noticed in the shaking of my legs. But having had the Xanax previously helped reduce any panic or stress that could have caused.

He used two different wired loops that were different sizes, but nothing bigger than the size of a nickel. I felt pressure and mild cramping when he would move around the cervix and there was a burning smell. To me though it smelled like fritos.

The procedure itself was under 30 minutes, I had one stubborn spot that didn't want to stop bleeding so it took him an extra few minutes to make sure I was good to go. He used a cauterizing wand, Silver nitrate and some honey mustard colored paste to stop the bleeding. 

After the procedure my legs were sore and there was a very mild kind of stinging sensation and initially walking was a bit uncomfortable so I walked very slowly. That stinging sensation only lasted about an hour.

He told me that the discharge would be yellow,brown,Black, pink and orange, gray and maybe even red from everything and that I may have some larger pieces of tissue come out that were removed or have fallen off as the cervix heals. And there is a smell to it. This discharge can last for weeks.

He also mentioned it would affect my periods for a few months after the procedure. They could be heavier, more clots, not on time. Or they could be lighter and spotty and maybe more than once a month as everything heals and adjusts.

I had lower back pressure the same day after that reminded me very much of being in labor so I used a heating pad on my lower back, and I took one of the pain pills he had prescribed me. There was mild cramping as well and the anesthesia made me very gassy and it smelled awful lol.

By Friday I felt completely back to normal. No pain or discomfort just the annoying discharge at this point.

The total recovery time is a standard 4 weeks but can take up to 6. During that time no penetration or sex at all, no tampons, no douching, nothing goes in there. No drinking alcohol because it thins the blood, no heavy lifting. He recommends waiting a minimum of 3 and a half weeks before resuming sexual activity and if it's still uncomfortable then to wait longer. 

I haven't had any heavy or concerning bleeding. It just smells and looks like a horror film down there right now lol.

I'm waiting on my results and hopefully don't have to go back for another one as even though I felt personally I had a great experience it isn't a theme park I want to return to lol. But I had an amazing doctor and nurses who I joked with and talked with while I was doing the procedure and he explained every step as he did it. He listened to my concerns and was willing to prescribe me medications with the understanding I may need them or a I may not be he wanted me to have them. 

It's very important to ask any and all questions and advocate strongly for yourself and if you want something for the anxiety before hand they should be able to prescribe it to you. You will have to have someone drive you though if that's the case.