title: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure as a life event that impacts on postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the psychological impact of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in pre- and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational comparative study including 231 pre- and 108 post-menopausal women undergoing LEEP who were subjected to an interview inquiring specific psychological domains concerning the impact of this surgical procedure. The associations between women's answers and their hormonal status were tested by logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis showed that after LEEP, postmenopausal women were associated with answers that indicated significant psychological changes concerning the impact of cervix disease (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.38, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.22-4.66), their body image (OR = 6.80, 95% CI 2.30-20.08), interpersonal relationship with their partner (OR = 8.32, 95% CI 1.77-38.99) and sexual health quality (OR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.15-4.39).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited to our sample, the psychological impact of LEEP seems to be greater in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. We speculate that LEEP could cause failure of psychological domains already weakened by menopause.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cesare Magati Hospital, Scandiano, Italy. a1976@libero.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giannella
authors.forename: Kabala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mfuta
authors.forename: Ruggiero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lamantea
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torrini
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery*