The Impact of Surgical Conization of the Cervix and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure on Female Sexual Function

<b>Objectives</b>: The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the possible effect of cervical conization and the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) on female sexual function up to one year after intervention, as existing studies provide incoherent results. <b>Methods</b>: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent either LEEP (n = 35) or surgical conization of the cervix (n = 44). Patients completed the questionnaire before the intervention and at three, six, and twelve months after the end of the postoperative period. The questionnaire included the Polish version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire of Cancer Patients with the module Cervix-24. <b>Results</b>: In the LEEP group, significant deterioration was observed in the FSFI orgasm subscale after three and six months in comparison to the baseline (3.98 ± 2.08 vs. 3.19 ± 2.29 vs. 3.09 ± 2.24; <i>p</i> < 0.02). The difference in the orgasm subscale compared to the baseline score was not reported after twelve months of follow-up. In the surgical conization group, significant deterioration was observed in the general FSFI score between the baseline and three months after (22.37 ± 12.38 vs. 20.82 ± 12.02; <i>p</i> < 0.003) and in the arousal subscale between the baseline and three months after (3.69 ± 2.14 vs. 3.01 ± 2.02; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In the orgasm subscale, there was a significant improvement between three and twelve months of observation (3.05 ± 2.22 vs. 3.63 ± 2.29; <i>p</i> < 0.003). A significant deterioration was observed in the sexual activity subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 + CX24 between baseline and after three months (49.42 ± 36.12 vs. 39.09 ± 36.81; <i>p</i> < 0.03). All reported deteriorations had a tendency to resolve within twelve months of observation. <b>Conclusions</b>: Both LEEP and surgical conization of the cervix seem to have a mild, transient negative impact on female sexual function, which normalizes one year after the procedure. Long-term consequences of both procedures are similar. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these findings.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cancers
Published
2025-03-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17061033
Primary Topic
Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
Type
article
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article

The Impact of Surgical Conization of the Cervix and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure on Female Sexual Function

Christopher Kobierzycki, Paweł Bartnik, Anna Maria Różańska-Walędziak, Joanna Kacperczyk‐Bartnik et al.
Cancers
Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
article

The Impact of Surgical Conization of the Cervix and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure on Female Sexual Function

Christopher Kobierzycki, Paweł Bartnik, Anna Maria Różańska-Walędziak, Joanna Kacperczyk‐Bartnik, Krzysztof Czajkowski, Ewa Romejko-Wolniewicz, Andrzej Wróbel
article en

Abstract

<b>Objectives</b>: The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the possible effect of cervical conization and the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) on female sexual function up to one year after intervention, as existing studies provide incoherent results. <b>Methods</b>: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent either LEEP (n = 35) or surgical conization of the cervix (n = 44). Patients completed the questionnaire before the intervention and at three, six, and twelve months after the end of the postoperative period. The questionnaire included the Polish version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire of Cancer Patients with the module Cervix-24. <b>Results</b>: In the LEEP group, significant deterioration was observed in the FSFI orgasm subscale after three and six months in comparison to the baseline (3.98 ± 2.08 vs. 3.19 ± 2.29 vs. 3.09 ± 2.24; <i>p</i> < 0.02). The difference in the orgasm subscale compared to the baseline score was not reported after twelve months of follow-up. In the surgical conization group, significant deterioration was observed in the general FSFI score between the baseline and three months after (22.37 ± 12.38 vs. 20.82 ± 12.02; <i>p</i> < 0.003) and in the arousal subscale between the baseline and three months after (3.69 ± 2.14 vs. 3.01 ± 2.02; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In the orgasm subscale, there was a significant improvement between three and twelve months of observation (3.05 ± 2.22 vs. 3.63 ± 2.29; <i>p</i> < 0.003). A significant deterioration was observed in the sexual activity subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 + CX24 between baseline and after three months (49.42 ± 36.12 vs. 39.09 ± 36.81; <i>p</i> < 0.03). All reported deteriorations had a tendency to resolve within twelve months of observation. <b>Conclusions</b>: Both LEEP and surgical conization of the cervix seem to have a mild, transient negative impact on female sexual function, which normalizes one year after the procedure. Long-term consequences of both procedures are similar. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these findings.

CancersVol. 17(6)
Medical University of Lublin (PL), Medical University of Warsaw (PL), Wroclaw Medical University (PL), Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (PL)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 92%
Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
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