Cryocautery involves temporarily freezing the cervix with a metal probe for 1-2 minutes. It is sometimes used to treat mildly abnormal cells on the cervix but more often used to treat excessive vaginal discharge or bleeding after sexual intercourse. Cryotherapy is a treatment where your healthcare provider applies extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. To create this severe cold, your provider will use a substance like liquid nitrogen or argon gas.  Cryotherapy is done in the health care provider's office while you are awake. You may have slight cramping. You may have some amount of pain during the surgery.