Effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound on sexual function in the treatment of uterine fibroids: Comparison to conventional myomectomy

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women. As a new minimally invasive clinical technology, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been widely applied to the treatment of uterine fibroids, but no study using objective criteria has evaluated the effect of HIFU on sexual function. Methods: A total of 100 premenopausal patients were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial (RCT). The brief index of sexual functioning (BISF-W) was used to evaluate changes in sexual function. Differences in the outcome were calculated for each individual before treatment and at 3 and 6 months after treatment, and changes were compared between the HIFU group (HIFUG) and the myomectomy group (MYG). Results: Preoperative BISF-W scores were similar in both groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups at 3 and 6 month after treatment. Within the groups, patients reported less arousal and less problems at 3 month compared to baseline. There was a trend toward improved sexual satisfaction and overall quality of sexual life in both groups 6 months after treatment compared with the baseline, although it failed to reach statistical significance except for the dimensions of relational satisfaction and problems affecting sexuality. Conclusions: Sexual function improved on average to some degree after both HIFU and conventional myomectomy. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.