The Impact of Diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 3 (CIN3) on Women’s Sexual Lives
Maria Teresa Bruno,
Giuseppe Caruso,
Elena Torrisi,
Raffaela Grimaldi,
Biagio Abate,
Francesco Saverio Luciani,
Susanna Basile,
Marco Marzio Panella
Affiliations
Maria Teresa Bruno
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Giuseppe Caruso
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Elena Torrisi
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Raffaela Grimaldi
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Biagio Abate
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Francesco Saverio Luciani
Methods and Models Department for the Economy, Territory and Finance, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Susanna Basile
Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist, 95123 Catania, Italy
Marco Marzio Panella
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
The aim of the study was to assess sexual health in women who underwent Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure (LEEP) for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN 3). One hundred thirty-one women were enrolled, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was administered before LEEP and 6 months after the procedure. In almost all of the participants, data revealed a statistically significant worsening in sexual quality of life after LEEP. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of these possible negative effects on sexual behavior, and provide women with appropriate, wide-ranging, and detailed counseling. The data obtained in the present study should help to plan appropriate counseling from communicating HPV diagnosis and medical treatment to CIN3 surgical procedure.
