When used to treat cervical cancer, nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) could have better sexual outcomes than conventional LRH, according to a study by Italian researchers.

Sexual problems are common after surgery for cervical cancer.

This study involved 40 women between the ages of 24 and 68. All of the women underwent surgery for cervical cancer treatment. Half had nerve-sparing LRH; the other half had conventional LRH.

The women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before surgery and again six to fourteen months afterward.

All of the women had poorer sexual function after treatment. However, the women who underwent nerve-sparing surgery had higher overall scores on the FSFI than those who had conventional surgery. Higher scores indicate better sexual function.

In addition, the women in the nerve-sparing group had better scores on the lubrication and sexual satisfaction domains of the FSFI.

The study was first published online in September in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Please click here for more details.

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