Can patients with precancerous cervical lesions have children?

  On October 29, 2015, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee decided to fully liberalize the two-child policy. At this point, the one-child policy, which had been in place for more than 30 years, was officially declared to be over. The same night, a patient sent a WeChat inquiry: “Dr. Luo, I have cervical disease, can I have another child?” At present, a significant number of young patients with cervical precancerous lesions have not had children before diagnosis, or still have the need to have a second child after treatment. Can cervical precancerous lesion patients have children in the “second child era” when the policy allows it? Does the treatment of precancerous cervical lesions have any effect on fertility, and should pregnancy with precancerous cervical lesions be terminated after pregnancy? These are the questions that patients are eager to know.  Cervical precancerous lesions are benign lesions, while the development of cervical cancer may mostly progress from cervical precancerous lesions, which are closely related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and the development of cervical cancer is a slow process, not overnight. From HPV infection to cervical precancerous lesions and then to cervical invasive cancer often takes 8-10 years. Once cervical precancerous lesions are detected, a small number of special people can be observed, while most patients need to receive treatment, and the commonly used treatment methods include laser, freezing, conization, LEEP knife, etc., to preserve fertility. After the cervical surgery trauma is repaired, it is possible to continue the pregnancy depending on the post-surgical pathology. If precancerous cervical lesions are detected during pregnancy, don’t worry too much, as long as regular review is required by the doctor, it will not affect the health of the child.  Patients with cervical precancerous lesions (CIN) who want to have a second child, especially those who are older, can take advantage of the policy to add a second child. Before preparing for pregnancy, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist who will get professional advice.