Impact of therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia on fertility

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is endemic in young American women. Because the majority of these women have a strong desire to maintain fertility, the efficacy of treatment modalities for this condition must be weighed against potential negative effects on fertility. Except for cone biopsy, however, the peer-reviewed literature provides little information about the effects of such techniques on fertility. While there are no data demonstrating that the other commonly used therapies (loop electrical excision procedure, cryotherapy, laser vaporization, and diathermy cautery) have a negative impact on fertility, neither has it been definitively proved that they do not have an untoward impact on fertility. Thus further studies are needed, and patients should be educated regarding the limitations of available information when informed consent for treatment is obtained.