Cervical cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold to freeze areas of the cervix. This procedure is done to destroy and remove abnormal cells of the cervix, particularly precancerous cells and it typically for smaller numbers of irregular cells. A speculum is inserted into the vagina to hold it open and the cryosurgery probe is inserted into the vagina. Nitrous oxide makes the tip extremely cold. The tip is touched to abnormal areas on the cervix. It is held there for a few minutes; slight cramping may be experienced. The tip is removed, which allows the tissue to return to its normal temperature over the course of 3-5 minutes. This freezing and thawing cycle may be repeated several times for each abnormal area on the cervix. Recovery time is approximately 10 to 15 minutes.