In this episode I discuss cervical dysplasia, which is when there are abnormal cells on the cervix before it turns into cancer, specifically CIN 2 and 3. Many women in this situation face the decision of whether to have a LEEP procedure or to take a natural approach called escharotic treatment.

If you’re dealing with this decision, I think this video will be very helpful for you. It will also be useful for any women dealing with high-risk HPV and abnormal pap smears, in case you find yourself facing CIN 2 or 3 at some point.

Let’s first go through some essential information about high-risk HPV and abnormal cells, how we identify them, and then we’ll discuss the decision between LEEP and escharotic treatment. I’ll explain what each involves and the advantages and disadvantages, so you can think through this decision for yourself.

Overview of High-Risk HPV

High-risk HPV can potentially cause abnormal cells on the cervix as well as the vagina and other areas of the body. This video focuses specifically on abnormal cells on the cervix caused by high-risk HPV.

Usually cervical dysplasia is identified when women go for a pap smear, which thankfully allows screening for abnormal cervical cells and testing for high-risk HPV. The way I see it, getting this information enables you to be proactive about your health so you can prevent cervical cancer, avoid damage to your cervix, and hopefully prevent the need for future procedures. 

As a naturopathic doctor and midwife with over 24 years of experience, my focus is on helping women protect themselves from high-risk HPV, heal their cervix, and prevent HPV-related cancers. I’ve assisted thousands of women with this.

How HPV Affects Cervical Cells

High-risk HPV irritates and inflames the cells of the cervix. Inflammation is the first sign of active HPV. If the virus really bothers the cells, it causes them to become an abnormal shape and size, which we can see when looking at the cells under a microscope. 

The abnormal cells may  progress from low-grade to moderate to severe before turning into cancer.Catching these changes before cancer develops is crucial. 

My goal with my patients and program participants is to detect abnormalities early, eliminate the abnormal cells, support your body in healing your cervix, and to clear the virus so it doesn’t cause abnormalities again.

The Conventional Approach: Pap Smears, Colposcopy, and Biopsy

The conventional medical approach starts with a pap smear to screen for abnormal cells. If any are found, your doctor will likely have you return for a biopsy using a procedure called a colposcopy (or “colpo” for short). 

During a colposcopy, the doctor examines your cervix with a microscope that has a green light filter. This allows visualization of abnormal areas. If abnormalities are seen, a biopsy is taken from that specific location on your cervix.

A colposcopy with biopsy is considered more definitive than a pap smear alone, although sometimes the pap shows worse abnormalities. The colposcopy results are usually used for the final diagnosis.

CIN 1 vs CIN 2/3

If your biopsy shows low-grade changes, or CIN 1, removing the abnormal cells isn’t considered necessary because CIN 1 can heal on its own. I frequently see women reverse CIN 1 and become HPV negative by following my comprehensive natural protocol, which includes dietary changes, mindset, herbs, nutrients, and vaginal suppositories. If you have CIN 1, know that there’s a high likelihood of healing your cervix without needing a LEEP or escharotic treatment.

However, if your biopsy reveals CIN 2 or 3, you’re faced with deciding between a LEEP procedure or escharotic treatments in order to remove the abnormal cells. Let’s talk more about each option.

LEEP Procedure

LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. It removes abnormal cells without removing part of the cervix itself. A LEEP is sloughing off a superficial layer of abnormal tissue that your body then regrows, rather than removing an actual part of your cervix. If you think of your cervix like the skin on your hand, a LEEP is like exfoliating – sloughing off a superficial layer of abnormal tissue that your body then regrows, rather than removing an actual part of your cervix.

However, LEEPs carry a risk of causing scar tissue, especially if you have more than one procedure or if it’s done around the opening of your cervix. Recovery also takes time. You need at least 2 weeks for initial healing and should avoid sex or putting anything in your vagina for 4 weeks. Full recovery can take up to 6 months.

Importantly, LEEPs do not kill the HPV virus itself. All a LEEP does is remove the abnormal cells, which is crucial, but it’s only step one. Step two is dealing with the virus, because otherwise it can just cause abnormalities to return. This is why you need a recheck within 6 months of a LEEP, and why many women end up needing repeat procedures.

Multiple LEEPs increase the chances of cervical scarring and may make it harder to get pregnant. They can also raise your risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. 

If you do have a LEEP, I recommend following my comprehensive protocol afterwards to give you the best chance of the HPV staying negative long-term. We’ve seen women remain HPV-negative for over a decade after following my approach.

Conization Procedure

Conization, or a cone biopsy, is different from a LEEP because it actually removes part of the cervix itself. If your doctor feels the abnormal cells go deeper into the tissue, or if you’ve already had one or two LEEPs, a conization is more likely to be recommended. 

However, the part of the cervix removed during a cone procedure cannot grow back. This leads to an even higher risk of miscarriage compared to LEEPs. There are procedures that can be done during pregnancy to try to prevent miscarriage in this situation, but the more procedures you have, the more proactive you’ll need to be about protecting a future pregnancy.

This is why many women contact me for help avoiding repeated procedures, cone biopsies, or even hysterectomies as abnormalities progress. I’m happy to review your results, discuss your case and options in detail, and help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision that feels right for you.

Escharotic Treatment

Escharotic treatment uses herbs and nutrients to safely and effectively slough off abnormal cervical cells. It’s a traditional therapy that goes back hundreds of years. I’ve been performing escharotic treatments for over 25 years with excellent results and no complications. 

However, training in escharotics varies between practitioners. I can only speak to the approach I learned and have used successfully for decades. With my method, I’ve consistently seen only improvements, never worsening. But escharotics alone aren’t enough – we must also address the underlying HPV infection to prevent recurrences. This requires a comprehensive protocol to improve your body’s ability to control the virus.

During escharotic treatment, we use a vaginal speculum in to see your cervix, just like in a doctor’s office. We then apply various natural substances:

First is bromelain, an enzyme that can be taken orally to reduce inflammation. When applied to the cervix, it acts as an exfoliant to remove abnormal cells and inflammation. It’s not painful at all for most women.

Next, we use sanguinaria, an herb known for its efficacy against HPV and abnormal cells, combined with zinc in liquid form. This step can stimulate mild uterine cramping briefly. 

Finally, we place an herbal suppository in the vagina to promote healing. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes.

Usually, the full treatment involves 10 sessions – two per week for five weeks, with two days between each application. We sometimes have to work around your menstrual cycle, so it may span six weeks. This is more time-intensive compared to a single LEEP procedure.

Insurance Coverage and Costs

Another key consideration is that while pap smears, colposcopies and LEEPs are generally covered by insurance, escharotic treatments and naturopathic approaches to HPV are usually an out-of-pocket expense. Many women weigh these factors when deciding on a treatment approach.

Some opt for a LEEP covered by insurance, with the hope that the HPV can be prevented from recurring. Others decide to invest in escharotics and a natural protocol to avoid potential damage to their cervix for future pregnancies.

There’s no single right answer. It depends on your unique situation, priorities, and what resonates most with you. I’m here to help you look at your results, talk through the considerations, and figure out the best path forward. Even if you’re not in my local area, I work with women around the world to provide access to escharotic treatments.

Escharotic Treatment: Discomfort and Side Effects

Many women ask if escharotic treatments are painful. In my experience, they tend to be less uncomfortable than a colposcopy and biopsy. You may have mild menstrual-like cramping in your uterus for up to 30 minutes after your first treatment, but it’s very mild and most women don’t experience any pain. No pain medication is needed.

Importantly, we do not see any cervical damage, increased risk of miscarriage, or premature labor with escharotics like we do after LEEPs and cone biopsies. When deciding between the two, the factors to consider are:

1. Do you want to try having a single procedure (LEEP) covered by insurance and then work to prevent recurrence with a comprehensive protocol?  
2. Or do you prefer a natural approach (escharotic treatment) to avoid damaging your cervix, reduce pregnancy risks, and prevent future abnormalities – with the understanding that it requires 10 treatments plus a comprehensive protocol that is an out-of-pocket investment?

Next Steps in Your Healing Journey 

I hope this information has been helpful as you navigate this decision. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or would like to discuss your situation in more detail. I’m happy to review your records and help you determine the best approach for your unique needs and goals. You can schedule a time to discuss your case with my team here.

If you’re a practitioner interested in learning to perform safe, effective escharotic treatments for your patients, let me know. I provide training in this technique and have helped women all over the world access this therapy.

If you would like help to get HPV to negative, you can sign up for my Say Goodbye to HPV Program. In the program I guide you step by step to implement my protocol. I help you gain freedom from the high-risk types of HPV, and at the same time help you solve menstrual, fertility, or menopausal related issues. The Say Goodbye to HPV Program is online and available everywhere.

For the most comprehensive support, even with the most difficult health issues (physical or mental), and for access to the tests I mentioned in this episode, it is best to meet with me one-on-one, which is available to you no matter where you are in the world (via phone or zoom). You can set up a one-on-one appointment here. Or schedule a free 10min Get To Know You Call here.

Thank you all so much for joining me today. If you are new, I invite you to subscribe and send me comments and reviews. I appreciate all of you listening and I look forward to connecting with you again in the next episode of How Humans Heal.

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