TITLE:
Sexual Satisfaction Is Reduced in the Female Patient and Sexually Intimate Partners Following Cancer Therapy
AUTHORS:
Alan M. Martinez, Julie M. Sroga, Ilana B. Ressler, Leslie Ayensu-Coker, Michael A. Thomas, Steven R. Lindheim
KEYWORDS:
Sexuality, Sexual Dysfunction, Female Cancer, Cancer Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Sexual Medicine,
Vol.4 No.4,
October
8,
2014
ABSTRACT: As cancer survival has continued to improve, cancer patients and their sexually intimate partner (SIP) are confronted with a number of issues including sexual function and overall sexual health. Our study objective was to assess changes in sexual function in women undergoing cancer treatment and their SIP, and attempt to identify areas of needed support and improvement. In this questionnaire-based observational study, females (n = 11) completed a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and for SIP’s (n = 11), a Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI). Level of satisfaction prior to and within 3 months following treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation was compared. Mean pre-and post-treatment total (30.7 ± 2.7 vs. 23.2 ± 3.7, p