Loop electrosurgical excision procedure as a life event that impacts on postmenopausal women.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the psychological impact of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in pre- and postmenopausal women.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This was an observational comparative study including 231 pre- and 108 post-menopausal women undergoing LEEP who were subjected to an interview inquiring specific psychological domains concerning the impact of this surgical procedure. The associations between women's answers and their hormonal status were tested by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that after LEEP, postmenopausal women were associated with answers that indicated significant psychological changes concerning the impact of cervix disease (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.38, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.22-4.66), their body image (OR = 6.80, 95% CI 2.30-20.08), interpersonal relationship with their partner (OR = 8.32, 95% CI 1.77-38.99) and sexual health quality (OR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.15-4.39).

CONCLUSION

Limited to our sample, the psychological impact of LEEP seems to be greater in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. We speculate that LEEP could cause failure of psychological domains already weakened by menopause.