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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
• human papillomavirus
• LEEP
• quality of life
• sexual health