The impact of the loop electrosurgical excisional procedure for cervical intraepithelial lesions on female sexual function.
BACKGROUND
Very limited knowledge exists concerning the impact of Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure (LEEP) on female sexual function in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia


OBJECTIVE
To investigate sexual function in women who underwent LEEP for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions, using a validated questionnaire (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]).


METHODS
FSFI questionnaire on six domains of female sexuality (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain).


METHODS
Consecutive sexually active women, who underwent LEEP for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were enrolled in this study. All women were asked to complete a copy of FSFI questionnaire, at the time of LEEP and after 6 months. We finally compared the results of the pre-LEEP questionnaire and the post-LEEP questionnaire for each patient.


RESULTS
A total of 67 sexually active women undergoing LEEP for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions were enrolled. Nine of these patients (13.4%) completed only the questionnaire regarding their sexual function before LEEP; thus we did not include them for final analysis. In our study population, data showed a sexual function overall unchanged after LEEP; only the variable "desire" (sexual interest) became significantly worse (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
LEEP for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions doesn't affect women's sexuality, when compared with sexual function before surgery. In our study, all FSFI sexual function domains but desire, did not show significant change after LEEP.
Serati
Maurizio
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy. Electronic address: mauserati@hotmail.com.
Salvatore
Stefano
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Cattoni
Elena
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Zanirato
Mara
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Mauri
Silvia
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Siesto
Gabriele
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Cromi
Antonella
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Ghezzi
Fabio
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Bolis
Pierfrancesco
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
D000328:Adult; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*