• Bo Ra Kim, Mi-Kyung Kim, and Yun Hwan Kim.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2023 May 8; 38 (18): e144e144.

BackgroundThe role of the cervix in female sexual functioning is controversial. The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) induces structural changes in the cervix. This study aimed to investigate whether LEEP affected sexual dysfunction in Korean women.MethodsA prospective cohort study enrolled 61 sexually active women with abnormal Papanicolaou smear or cervical punch biopsy results and required LEEP. The patients were assessed before and six to twelve months after LEEP using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS).ResultsThe prevalence of female sexual dysfunction according to FSFI scores before and after LEEP was 62.5% and 66.7%, respectively. LEEP-related changes in total FSFI and FSDS scores were not significant (P = 0.399 and P = 0.670, respectively). The frequency of sexual dysfunction in the desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain subdomains of the FSFI was not significantly altered by LEEP (P > 0.05). The proportion of women experiencing sexual distress according to FSDS scores did not significantly increase after LEEP (P = 0.687).ConclusionA large proportion of women with cervical dysplasia experience sexual dysfunction and distress both before and after LEEP. LEEP itself may be not associated with negative effects on female sexual function.© 2023 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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