title: When sex is not on fire: a prospective multicentre study evaluating the short-term effects of radical resection of endometriosis on quality of sex life and dyspareunia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of surgical removal of endometriosis on dyspareunia, sexual function, quality of sex life and interpersonal relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based multicentre prospective study was conducted in six tertiary referral centres in Austria and Germany. Ninety-six patients with histologically proven endometriosis and dyspareunia were included. Before surgery and averagely 10 months postoperatively (range 9-12 months), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were used to screen women's sexuality. Additionally, we evaluated psychological parameters and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse via a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain scores measured via NAS during/after intercourse decreased significantly after surgery. Frequencies of interrupted sexual intercourse, feelings of guilt towards the partner, being afraid of pain before/during sexual intercourse and feelings of being a burden for the relationship also decreased significantly in patients with peritoneal endometriosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Interestingly, sexually related personal distress did not improve in women with peritoneal endometriosis/vaginal resection, but improved in cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radical laparoscopic excision of endometriosis offers an effective treatment option and offers a significant improvement in dyspareunia and quality of sex life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: fritzern@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fritzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tammaa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, General Hospital Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, General Hospital Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oppelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, Hospital Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Campus Lübeck), Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hornung
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wölfler
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Center for Endometriosis, Martin-Luther Hospital Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology/Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, Hospital St. John of God, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hudelist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dyspareunia; Endometriosis; Quality of sex life; Surgical resection