Women treated for gynecologic cancers at greater sexual dysfunction risk

The University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that sexual activity goes down from 6.1-6.8 times per month before treatment to 2.6-4.9 times per month after treatment.

Researcher Saketh Guntupalli said that it is a topic that not many people want to talk about because it is uncomfortable, but for scientists it is about maintaining the quality of life after treatment for couples that have gone through it.

Every year nearly 90,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with a gynecological cancer including cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina, and vulva. These women undergo treatments including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

In addition to showing an overall decrease in sexual frequency after cancer treatment, the data show that younger, premenopausal women are at higher risk for sexual dysfunction. So are women who received chemotherapy or are in committed relationships. Despite decreased sexual activity, there was no accompanying increase in marital dysfunction.

Guntupalli explained that they think that if couples are given the option to go to counseling during cancer treatment it may help with their sexual health in the long run.

He noted that if researchers can catch those patients that may have problems up front and offer interventions, especially younger couples, it can really enhance life after cancer.