Comparing sexual function in women with HPV-related precancerous genital lesions against other benign gynaecological pathologies: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. However, its impact on sexual health is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an HPV infection diagnosis on women's sexual function and to compare it with that of other benign gynaecological diagnoses. Methods. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2020 and 2021, at the Hospital Universitario Materno-Infantil of Gran Canaria, with 245 women in two groups: 126 women with pre-malignant HPV lesions recruited at the Hospital's Lower-Genital-Tract Unit (HPV-group), and 119 women with benign gynaecological conditions or seeking family-planning advice, recruited at the gynaecology outpatient clinics (Gyne-group). Women completed sexual function self-administered questionnaires. Results. The mean age was 34 +/- 5.5 years. A total of 24.5% of women reported sexual dissatisfaction; 57.1% (33) of them belonged to the HPV-group and 42.9% (27) to the Gyne-group (P = 0.69). In the HPV-group, 54% reported using condoms more often after receiving counselling. A total of 32.6% (41) attributed their HPV infection to their partner's infidelity. The two groups demonstrated a decrease in the sexual response cycle domains, statistically significant only in the domain of desire (58% (49) vs 41.2% (73), P < 0.001). A higher proportion of women in the HPV-group reported experiencing anxiety during sexual activity when compared with women in the Gyne-group (38.1% (48) vs 24.3% (29), P < 0.001). Conclusion. The impact of a gynaecological disease diagnosis on women's sexual function is mainly characterised by anxiety before intercourse and decrease desire, which are more pronounced in case of HPV diagnosis. It is essential to provide women with sexual health information to minimise the impact on women's sexual function and reduce anxiety.