The impact of cervical cancer on female sexuality
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Sexuality is an important component of quality of life, with survivors of cervical cancer being at higher risk of developing altered sexuality.
Objective: To investigate separately the effect of cervical cancer and treatment on three components of female sexuality: sexual function, sexual self-concept and sexual relationships.
Method: We performed a Pubmed search of studies published in the past 10 years in English using different entry terms related to sexuality after cervical cancer. Selection of studies was based on the quality.
Results: Most studies showed that patients with cervical cancer had less sexual interest or desire after treatment. There was lower sexual interest and activity after radical surgery combined with radiotherapy compared to radical surgery or surgery combined with chemotherapy. One study reported that 33% did not have sexual interactions after treatment. Patients had significantly more difficulties of becoming sexually aroused and had lubrication problems compared to healthy controls. After radiotherapy women had more difficulty obtaining an orgasm compared to those treated with radical surgery. Women with cervical cancer seem to have more dyspareunia compared to healthy controls, which also might be associated to decreased sexual desire as well as arousal. Women diagnosed with gynecological cancer experience problems with body image, sexual esteem and sexual self-schema. The majority of studies have found that gynecological cancer survivors experience a negative change in their sexual relationship.
Conclusion: The present research found the cervical cancer has a negative impact of the three components of female sexuality.
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References
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