title: The impact of the loop electrosurgical excisional procedure for cervical intraepithelial lesions on female sexual function.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy. Electronic address: mauserati@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cattoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanirato
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siesto
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bolis
mesh_terms: 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*