Changes in sexual function after medical or surgical termination of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how first trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) by either surgical (group 1) or medical procedure (group 2) affect sex- ual function. DESIGN: This observational study included 211 patients (132 in group 1 and 79 in group 2) who requested first trimester TOP, in agreement with our national law, between September 2010 and May 2012. At 6-month follow-up, 122 women in group 1 and 71 women in group 2 completed the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical TOP (mifepristone and miso- prostol) was offered to patients up to 49 days of gestation. Surgical TOP was performed up to 12 weeks. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function before TOP, after 1, 3 and 6 months from TOP. RESULTS: Medical TOP (mifepristone and misoprostol) was offered to patients up to 49 days of gestation. Surgical TOP was performed up to 12 weeks. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sex- ual function before TOP, after 1, 3 and 6 months from TOP. CONCLUSION: Voluntary TOP is an important public health concerns. Sexual dysfunction after surgical TOP has been reported in the literature; however, no previous study compared sexual function after medical or surgical TOP by using validated instruments. This study shows that the number of sexually active women and the overall FSFI is reduced in women undergoing surgical TOP compared with those undergoing medical TOP. Counselling regarding sexual function changes should be included in the discussion of morbidity related to medical or surgical TOP.