A survey of female sexual dysfunction in gynaecological cancer survivors: A case–control study

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.