Determination of Sexual Problems of Turkish Patients Receiving Gynecologic Cancer Treatment: a Cross-sectional Study

Problematic Areas Related to Sexual Life of Individuals with Gynecological Cancer: A qualitative Study in Turkey

“…Furthermore, side effects of gynecological cancer treatments such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, scars and weight changes can cause unfavorable body image in women. 6,8,20,21 In an investigation conducted in Germany by Hawighorst-Knapstein et al 22 it was determined that there was decrease in body image scores and initiative and self-confidence of women following surgery. In a qualitative study conducted on women with gynecological cancer by Stead et al 23 women expressed that they experience apprehension about not to look attractive to their spouses as they were before the illness following medical and surgical treatments, and they would become less attractive as a sexual partner and their sexual life would suffer.…”

“…Therefore, application of protective medical and surgical initiatives enabling the continuation of fertility is vital in the treatment of especially young women. 8,[11][12][13]16 Another component of sexual health in gynecological cancer that suffers is sexual role. Since women have significant role and responsibilities in the family, gynecological cancer diagnosis causes important changes in the life of both women and their family.…”

“…30,31 The most prevalent SD problems observed in women following gynecological cancer is diminishment in sexual desire and decrease in libido. 7,8,23 At the same time, problems occurring in women stemming from the illness and its treatment lead to depression and anxiety in women, and ruin sexual arousal and orgasm ability and cause dyspareunia. 31 Therefore, cancer treatment process and in its aftermath, women decrease their sexual intercourse frequency with their spouses/partners or may end their sexual lives completely.…”

“…4 Surgical interventions, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal replacement treatments applied in gynecological cancers have impact on sexual health of women. [5][6][7][8] In the patients diagnosed with gynecological cancer, specifically four elements of sexual health are affected negatively, body image, role of sexuality, sexual functions and reproduction ability, because women reproduction organs are the determiners of female identity. [9][10] Thus, ailment or absence of these organs could be interpreted as the loss of womanhood, loss of fertility, end of sexual life and may make a woman feel herself as faulty or deficient.…”

“…For this reason, there is a need for studies to be focused on the effect of gynaecological cancer on sexual health for the women of varied socio-cultural and socio-economic classes in different regions. [8][9][10][12][13][14] In this context, the research was conducted for the purpose of scrutinizing the problem areas of individuals with gynecological cancer regarding their sexual life.…”