Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021 Jul;41(5):815-820. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2020.1803243. Epub 2020 Oct 19.
In rare cases, cervical ectropion causes symptoms such as abundant leucorrhoea, postcoital bleeding, recurrent cervicitis, pelvic pain, and dyspareunia. Cryotherapy is a commonly used treatment for symptomatic cervical ectropion. We assessed the impact of cryotherapy on sexual function and quality of life among patients with symptomatic cervical ectropion. In this prospective observational study, 73 patients were assessed before and six months after cryotherapy treatment using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Short Form-12 Health Survey questionnaires. The double-freeze cryotherapy procedure was performed using a cryotherapy unit, and liquid nitrogen was used as a refrigerant. The mean physical and mental quality of life scores were significantly improved after treatment. With the exception of the pain domain, the overall and domain FSFI scores exhibited no significant differences before and after cryotherapy. The sexual pain domain scores were significantly increased after treatment. There was a statistically significant improvement in vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and postcoital bleeding symptoms after the cryotherapy. We concluded that cryotherapy is an effective and feasible treatment for symptomatic cervical ectropion. Although cryotherapy results in improved quality of life scores, it has no significant impact on female sexual function.Impact statement Cryotherapy is the most preferred treatment option for symptomatic cervical ectropion. Its feasibility and effectiveness with respect to symptom relief have been observed in previous studies. No study has evaluated quality of life and sexual function after cryotherapy among patients with symptomatic cervical ectropion. Although the patients' quality of life scores were significantly improved after treatment, no significant improvement was observed in overall and domain sexual function scores, with the exception of the pain domain. The sexual pain domain scores were significantly improved after cryotherapy. Patients should not expect better sexual function after cryotherapy. Comparative studies should seek to identify the ideal treatment option, which would result in both symptom relief and better sexual function.
在极少数情况下，宫颈外翻会引起大量白带、性交后出血、复发性宫颈炎、盆腔痛和性交困难等症状。冷冻疗法是治疗有症状的宫颈外翻的常用方法。我们评估了冷冻疗法对有症状的宫颈外翻患者性功能和生活质量的影响。在这项前瞻性观察研究中，73 名患者在冷冻疗法治疗前后分别使用女性性功能指数（FSFI）和 12 项简短健康调查问卷进行评估。使用冷冻治疗仪进行双冻冷冻疗法，制冷剂为液氮。治疗后，身体和精神健康的平均生活质量评分显著提高。除了疼痛领域外，冷冻疗法前后的整体和领域 FSFI 评分无显著差异。性疼痛领域评分显著增加。冷冻疗法后，阴道分泌物、盆腔痛和性交后出血症状有统计学显著改善。我们得出结论，冷冻疗法是治疗有症状的宫颈外翻的有效且可行的方法。虽然冷冻疗法可提高生活质量评分，但对女性性功能无显著影响。
冷冻疗法是治疗有症状的宫颈外翻的最优选治疗方案。以前的研究已经观察到其在缓解症状方面的可行性和有效性。尚无研究评估有症状的宫颈外翻患者冷冻疗法后的生活质量和性功能。尽管治疗后患者的生活质量评分显著提高，但除疼痛领域外，整体和领域性功能评分无显著改善。冷冻疗法后性疼痛领域评分显著改善。患者不应期望冷冻疗法后性功能会更好。比较研究应寻求确定理想的治疗方案，既能缓解症状又能改善性功能。
