RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sexual and Marital Dysfunction in Women With Gynecologic Cancer
JF International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer
JO Int J Gynecol Cancer
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 603
OP 607
DO 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000906
VO 27
IS 3
A1 Saketh R. Guntupalli
A1 Jeanelle Sheeder
A1 Yevgeniya Ioffe
A1 Ana Tergas
A1 Jason D. Wright
A1 Susan A. Davidson
A1 Kian Behbakht
A1 Dina M. Flink
YR 2017
UL http://ijgc.bmj.com/content/27/3/603.abstract
AB Objective Sexual dysfunction can be a long-term issue for women with gynecologic cancer. This study assesses the extent of sexual and marital dysfunction women face following treatment of a gynecologic cancer.Methods A cross-sectional study of women with gynecologic cancer was conducted using a 181-item survey. Sexual dysfunction was measured by change in the Female Sexual Function Index score; marital dysfunction was measured by change in Intimate Bond Measure from prediagnosis to posttreatment. Paired t tests and Fisher exact test were used to compare women with dysfunction to those without dysfunction.Results Three hundred twenty women were enrolled (mean age, 56.0 [SD, 12.0] years). Among all women, sexual function declined from a score of 21.3 (SD, 10.4) prior to 15.3 (SD, 10.2) (P < 0.001), and sexual activity decreased from 6.1 (SD, 6.8) to 2.6 (SD, 4.9) times per month following treatment (P < 0.001). Among the 208 women who were sexually active at the time of study, sexual dysfunction after treatment was associated with younger age (50.9 [SD, 11.7] years to 57.3 [SD, 12.3] years), ovarian (40.7% vs 30.7%) or cervical (21.0% vs 10.2%) cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy treatment (72.8% vs 50.4%), and being in a relationship (97.3% vs 82.7%). Among women in relationships, 27% experienced marital dysfunction.Conclusions Women who are younger, have an ovarian or cervical cancer diagnosis, receive chemotherapy, or are in a committed relationship are at particularly high risk of sexual dysfunction. These women should be provided information about the risks associated with their cancer treatment.