Sexual outcomes following treatment for early-stage gynecological cancer: a prospective and cross-sectional multi-center study

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of early-stage gynecological cancer and its treatment on sexuality and assessed needs for care regarding sexual rehabilitation. Data from 58 women from a prospective, longitudinal study were compared to data from 220 women from a cross-sectional study. Patients in the prospective study completed questionnaires prior to treatment and then 6 and 12 months post-treatment. A single assessment was obtained from patients in the cross-sectional study. All women had a partner. Both groups were comparable on important independent variables. Both samples had an equal level of sexual contact, but participants in the cross-sectional study (mean time 46 months post-treatment) reported a higher frequency of sexual problems, were more troubled by those problems and reported a lower sexual satisfaction. However, in both groups the level of the reported dysfunctions was relatively low. Around 80% of the patients were satisfied with the information provided on sexual rehabilitation. Little need for extra care on sexual rehabilitation was reported. In conclusion, women with early-stage gynecological cancer were not especially prone to severe sexual problems and seemed to cope well with the consequences of cancer and its treatment on their sexual lives. It was suggested that this relatively positive outcome is a result of the improved patient care and education on sexual aspects in the last decade.

Sexual adjustment following early stage cervical and endometrial cancer: prospective controlled multi‐centre study

“…The findings suggest that sexual changes after treatment for early stage gynaecological cancer are no worse than other gynaecological conditions, despite the adverse physical changes experienced by some women. This supports previous studies that have found that women treated for gynaecological cancer are not especially prone to severe sexual problems and seem to cope well with the impact that cancer and its treatment have on their sexual lives , with moderate to high sexual satisfaction . The lack of differences between the cancer and benign groups is also consistent with the results of Andersen et al .…”

A Psychoeducational Intervention for Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Gynecologic Cancer

“…There is evidence that providing a venue for women to receive education and discuss sexual concerns following cervical cancer is therapeutic as it might encourage an awareness of sexual rehabilitation, thus evoking a more active coping style (Leenhouts et al, 2002). Therefore, the improvements in sexual response may be an artifact of non-specific therapeutic factors as opposed to being due specifically to the behavioral exercises in the PED.…”

Needs and priorities of women with endometrial and cervical cancer

“…Furthermore, it seems necessary to differentiate between treatment modalities, as complications are more severe and persisted longer in women treated with radiotherapy [36,37,39,40]. Leenhouts et al [42] conclude that women with early stages of cervical cancer treated with surgery only have few severe sexual problems and cope well with these changes. There is a paucity of longitudinal studies evaluating sexual difficulties in endometrial cancer patients.…”