Treatment for cervical dysplasia varies depending on several factors:

• The patient’s age
• The size, location and severity of the dysplasia
• Whether the patient has had other gynecological problems

Mild cases often return to normal without treatment and can be managed with frequent follow-up care, including Pap smears every four to six months. Moderate and severe cases require removal of the abnormal cells using a variety of methods, including:

• Cryotherapy (freezing). A probe placed against the cervix cools specific areas of cervical tissue to sub-zero temperatures. The cold temperature damages cells, which the body then sheds in a watery discharge. This is frequently performed without anesthesia and is typically performed by the woman’s ObGyn in the office. Cryotherapy is a comparatively simple and inexpensive procedure but precision is difficult to achieve, which may leave some abnormal cells in the body. For this reason, freezing is used more often to treat mild or moderate cases of cervical dysplasia.
  
  
• Laser treatment. A small beam of light vaporizes the abnormal cells. The laser beam is directed to the target area through a thin, flexible tube called a colposcope. Unlike cryotherapy, laser treatment can be controlled precisely. This is commonly performed without anesthesia with very little discomfort.
  
  
• Cone biopsy. In this procedure, also called conization, a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from an area of the cervix known as the transformation zone. Cervical dysplasia (and cervical cancer) are most likely to occur in this area. This procedure may be performed under general anesthesia, in which case a knife or laser is used to remove the tissue. It may also be performed under local anesthesia in a procedure called loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), also known as large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). In this procedure, a fine wire loop and electrical current are used to remove the tissue.
  
  A cone biopsy may be considered a form of treatment if the dysplasia is contained within the area being removed. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with a cone biopsy, although they are generally considered rare. Some experts have identified potential long-term risks associated with cone biopsies, such as pregnancy complications (the cervix opening too soon, causing preterm delivery or increased risk of Caesarean delivery). However, many physicians do not believe such complications are related to the procedure itself.
  
  
• Hysterectomy. Surgical removal of the uterus. A woman with severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ who does not want to bear children in the future may choose this option. It has the lowest recurrence rate of any treatment (because the cervix is removed), but it has the same risks associated with any major surgical procedure. If the patient has other problems that may be helped by a hysterectomy, such as endometriosis (a condition in which cells that make up the lining of the uterus are found outside of the uterine cavity), then it may be the best treatment. However, hysterectomy is not typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate cervical dysplasia as there are significant side effects associated with the procedure.