Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 2023 (Spring); 14(2): 267-355 DOI: 10.22088/cjim.14.2.267 Original Article © The Author(s) Publisher: Babol University of Medical Sciences Abolfazl Mehdizadehkashi (MD) 1 Shahla Chaichian (MD) 1* Samaneh Rokhgireh (MD) 1 Kobra Tahermanesh (MD) 1 Shahla Mirgaloybayat (MD) 1 Reza Saadat Mostafavi (MD) 2 Sepideh Khodaverdi (MD) 1 Marziyeh Ajdary (MD) 1 Mahin Ahmadi Pishkuhi (MD) 3 1. Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Radiology, Rasool Hospital, Tehran, Iran 3. Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Tehran, Iran * Correspondence: Shahla Chaichian, Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail: shchaichian@gmail.com Tel: +98 2188952035 Received: 6 Dec 2021 Revised: 15 March 2022 Accepted: 6 June 2022 Does laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis improve sexual dysfunction Abstract Background: Endometriosis is one of the common gynecological problems during the reproductive years, affecting the quality of life, fertility, and sexual function of women. It is known that sexual dysfunction and quality of life are interrelated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of resection of endometriosis lesions via laparoscopic surgery on the improvement of sexual dysfunction in women with endometriosis. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 30 patients with endometriosis. The Female Sexual Function Index, Endometriosis Health Profile-30, and Visual Analog Scale were completed for the patients before laparoscopic surgery and three, six, and 12 months after surgery. The results were examined and compared before and after the intervention using the ANOVA test. Results: The present results showed that the mean pain score of the patients (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain) was significant after laparoscopic surgery (P<0.005). The female sexual function improved after laparoscopic surgery compared to the preoperative phase, and changes in the domains of psychological stimulation, humidity, and sexual orgasm were significant (P<0.005). Moreover, the female quality of life scores increased in all dimensions compared to the preoperative phase, although these improvements were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The present results revealed that laparoscopic surgery is an effective treatment, leading to a considerable improvement in female sexual function. Keywords: Endometriosis; Laparoscopy; Sexual dysfunction Citation: Mehdizadehkashi A, Chaichian Sh, Rokhgireh S, et al. Does laparoscopic Treatment of Deep Endometriosis Improve Sexual dysfunction? Caspian J Intern Med 2023; 14(1): 267-355. Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity (1). This disease is one of the common gynecological problems during the reproductive years (2), affecting women’s quality of life and fertility (3). About 10% of women of childbearing age suffer from pelvic pain and infertility due to endometriosis (4). Endometriosis affects women of all social and racial classes throughout the reproductive period (from the onset of menstruation until menopause). Laparoscopy is one of the available treatments for endometriosis, in which a telescope-like instrument, called a laparoscope, is inserted through an abdominal incision to observe the reproductive organs. Laparoscopy can be performed to identify various conditions, such as tubal damage, endometriosis, pelvic adhesion, and tuberculosis, which can cause infertility. The growing tendency toward the use of minimally invasive gynecological surgeries has increased the number of patients undergoing laparoscopy. Besides incisional pain, laparoscopic pain has been attributed to peritoneal inflammation, pneumoperitoneum, and pelvic or abdominal rupture. Peritoneal manipulation leads to visceral stimulation and transmission of messages through the enteric nervous network. Pain may be slightly diffuse, localized, or recurrent. Visceral pain following laparoscopic surgery can be as severe as incisional pain due to gas murmurs and manipulation of abdominal structures.