Kylstra W. A., Leenhouts G. H. M. W., Everaerd W., Panneman M. J. M., Hahn D. E. E., Weijmar Schultz W. C. M., Van De Wiel H. B. M., Heintz A. P. M.
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam;Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis, Amsterdam;Academic Hospital of Groningen, Groningen;Academic Hospital of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Int J Gynecol Cancer. 1999 Sep;9(5):387-395. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1438.1999.99052.x.
Data are presented of a prospective, longitudinal study on the impact of early stage gynecological cancer on sexuality. Women with a partner (n = 58) completed self-report questionnaires following diagnosis but prior to treatment and then at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. A single assessment was also obtained from a healthy comparison group (n = 103). Pre-treatment cancer patients reported fewer and less trouble with sexual problems compared to healthy controls. Neither sexual satisfaction nor sexual activity changed from pre- to post-treatment and was comparable to that of healthy controls. Post-treatment, relatively minor sexual difficulties were shown; a notable difficulty for cancer patients concerned lubrication. At 12 months post-treatment, the sexual functioning of cancer patients was comparable to healthy controls.
