Radiotherapy, University Hospital Galway (UHG), Galway, Ireland.
HRB Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland.
J Psychosoc Oncol. 2023;41(3):355-371. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2114054. Epub 2022 Sep 8.
To explore psychosexual experiences of women following radical radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer.
Seven women who had completed radical radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer were interviewed. Interviews were semi-structured, and data were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach.
Five superordinate themes were constructed: (1) No desire for sex since completing treatment; (2) Fear; (3) Unmet information and support needs; (4) Partner support and needs; and (5) Communication. Fear of adverse consequences following sex inhibited return to sexual activity after treatment. Misconceptions and lack of knowledge were evident. Communicating sexual issues was a difficulty that transcended personal relationships, also evident in professional medical relationships.
Simple measures, beginning with facilitating understanding and acceptance of psychosexual experiences, can help those experiencing psychosexual problems following radical radiotherapy. Encouraging discussion, providing options and practical knowledge, and clarifying misconceptions about risks from sex after cancer could improve outcomes for gynaecological cancer patients.
探讨妇科癌症根治性放疗后女性的性心理体验。
对 7 名接受过妇科癌症根治性放疗的女性进行了访谈。访谈采用半结构化方式，采用解释性现象学分析（IPA）方法进行数据分析。
构建了 5 个上位主题：（1）治疗后对性没有欲望；（2）恐惧；（3）信息和支持需求未得到满足；（4）伴侣的支持和需求；以及（5）沟通。对性行为后出现不良后果的恐惧抑制了治疗后的性活动恢复。明显存在误解和缺乏知识。沟通性问题是一个超越个人关系的难题，在专业的医疗关系中也很明显。
简单的措施，从促进对性心理体验的理解和接受开始，可以帮助那些在根治性放疗后经历性心理问题的人。鼓励讨论，提供选择和实用知识，并澄清关于癌症后性行为风险的误解，可以改善妇科癌症患者的结局。
