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Sexual activity and functioning in women treated for gynaecological cancers

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  • Ragnhild Johanne Tveit Sekse
  • Karl Ove Hufthammer
  • Margrethe Elin Vika

Abstract

Aims and objectives A description and comparison of sexual activity and function in relation to various gynaecological cancer diagnoses, treatment modalities, age groups, psychological distress and health‐related quality of life. Background Various forms of gynaecological cancer have the potential to negatively influence sexual functioning, but there are few studies that describe and compare sexual activity and functioning according to diagnosis. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional study. Methods The study includes 129 women from an intervention study. The questionnaires addressed sexuality, psychological distress, health‐related quality of life and demographics. Disease and treatment characteristics were extracted from medical records. Results Close to two‐thirds of the women were sexually active. However, 54% of the sexually active women reported that they were not satisfied or little satisfied with their sexual activity. About half of the women reported dryness in the vagina, and 41% reported pain and discomfort during penetration. There were no significant differences concerning pleasure and discomfort related to treatment modality, diagnoses or FIGO stage. Conclusion Health personnel should make a priority of sexuality throughout a patient's cancer treatment and in the follow‐up, as sexuality is a vital part of a good life. Relevance to clinical practice Since the patients experience relatively low satisfaction with their sexual activity and many report pain during penetration, health personnel need to be sensitive to the woman, her questions, and her needs. Of importance are also the personnel's ability to communicate and their expertise in diagnosing and treating difficulties relating to sexuality.

Suggested Citation

  • Ragnhild Johanne Tveit Sekse & Karl Ove Hufthammer & Margrethe Elin Vika, 2017. "Sexual activity and functioning in women treated for gynaecological cancers," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(3-4), pages 400-410, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:26:y:2017:i:3-4:p:400-410
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sprangers, Mirjam A. G. & Schwartz, Carolyn E., 1999. "Integrating response shift into health-related quality of life research: a theoretical model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 48(11), pages 1507-1515, June.
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    1. Andrea Kobleder & Hanna Mayer & Larissa Gehrig & Beate Senn, 2017. "“Promoting continuity of care”—Specialist nurses’ role experiences in gynaecological oncology: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(23-24), pages 4890-4898, December.
    2. Karianne Oldertrøen Solli & Marjolein de Boer & Kari Nyheim Solbrække & Lisbeth Thoresen, 2019. "Male partners’ experiences of caregiving for women with cervical cancer—a qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5-6), pages 987-996, March.
    3. Ragnhild Johanne Tveit Sekse & Gail Dunberger & Mette Linnet Olesen & Maria Østerbye & Lene Seibæk, 2019. "Lived experiences and quality of life after gynaecological cancer—An integrative review," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1393-1421, May.

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