A Survey of Female Sexual Dysfunction in Gynaecological Cancer Survivors: A Case–Control Study; [Una Encuesta Sobre La Disfuncion Sexual Femenina En Sobrevivientes De Cancer Ginecologico: Un Estudio De Control De Casos] Publisher



Arab M¹ ; Poorzad N² ; Noghabaei G³ ; Ghavami B⁴ ; Nouri B⁵ ; Jahed Bozorgan T⁶ Show Affiliations
Source: Clinica e Investigacion en Ginecologia y Obstetricia Published:2023

Abstract

Background: With diagnostic and treatment advancements in cancer management, the need for improvement of survivors’ quality of life has been increasing. One of the issues affecting the quality of life in gynecologic cancer survivors is a decline in their sexual function, which is affected in many ways. In order to assess sexual dysfunction in gynecologic cancer survivors. Objective: This study is designed to assess different areas of sexual function including desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Materials and methods: Patients who had completed treatment since 6 months to 6 years ago included in the case–control study starting from January 2019 to January 2020. Twenty-nine sexually active gynecologic cancer survivors with sexual dysfunction were enrolled as cases and 91 sexually active ones without sexual problems were assigned to the control group. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire consisting of 19-items and six areas was completed for each participant. Results: Average sexual dysfunction score of the case group was 16.78 with cut-off point of 28 for dysfunction. The most common domain of sexual dysfunction was pain (96.55%), followed by sexual arousal (86.21%), vaginal lubrication (72.41%), orgasm (72.41%), satisfaction (65.52%) and sexual desire (55.17%). Conclusion: In gynecologic cancer survivors, sexual dysfunction was directly related to employment, brachytherapy and co-existing DM and inversely related to the time elapsed since cancer diagnosis and menopause. Asking about sexual problems and referral to a specialist should be included in the patient treatment process. © 2022