Sexual Problems and Cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 276-282
Author(s):  
Jeanne Carter ◽  
Ashley Arkema ◽  
Andrew J. Roth ◽  
Sally Saban ◽  
Christian J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Referral Networks ◽  
Sexual Side Effects ◽  
Additional Support

Cancer survivors face a unique set of treatment-related issues impacting sexual function and quality of life. While some treatment-related sexual adverse effects are temporary, many survivors face long-term effects such as treatment-induced menopause, altered gonadal function, and significant surgical disfigurement. Treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy present with persistent changes in tissue quality and sexual response. Common changes in sexual function for cancer survivors include decreased libido or sexual interest and pain with penetration in women and erectile dysfunction in men. As cancer survivorship improves, it is increasingly important for medical professionals to inquire about the sexual health of their patients. Health promotion strategies such as vulvovaginal moisturizers and dilator therapy for women or prescription medication for men can be recommended to counteract sexual side effects during and after treatment. Additionally, sexual counseling can enhance communication among distressed couples coping with cancer. While sexual side effects are prevalent, they often go unacknowledged in busy clinical settings. Screening tools can be utilized to identify treatment-related complications including lymphedema, fatigue, insomnia, and pain. Standardized measures validated in cancer populations are recommended to clinicians assessing sexual dysfunction in oncologic settings. Educational resources and sexual health referral networks can provide additional support to help patients manage distressing symptoms.

Sexual side effects (SSE) reported by adolescent/young adult (AYA) versus older cancer survivors.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9120-9120
Author(s):  
C. E. Hill-Kayser ◽  
C. Vachani ◽  
M. K. Hampshire ◽  
G. A. Di Lullo ◽  
J. M. Metz
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sexual Side Effects

Feasibility of a sexual health program for women receiving pelvic radiation therapy for gynecologic and lower GI cancers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 135-135
Author(s):  
Lorraine C. Drapek
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pelvic Radiation ◽  
Vaginal Stenosis ◽  
Vaginal Dilators

135 Background: Long term effects of pelvic radiation for women include vaginal stenosis, leading to distress regarding sexual function. The NCCN guidelines recommend asking patients about sexual function at frequent intervals. NCCN recommends the use of vaginal dilators for women who have had pelvic radiation. Vaginal dilators have been widely recommended to minimize these long term effects. However, current evidence demonstrates poor adherence (less than 50%) of vaginal dilator use. Methods: A sexual health clinic was implemented at the radiation oncology department of a large academic medical center. This initiative consisted of three visits with a nurse practitioner over a twelve week period. The first visit was completed prior to the start of radiation, consisted of sexual history, completion of the PROMIS sexual health survey, and education regarding vaginal stenosis. The importance of the use of vaginal dilators following the completion of radiation was emphasized.. The second visit occurred at the completion of radiation and consisted of the PROMIS sexual health survey, and reinforcement of the use of vaginal dilators. Patients were instructed to begin use of vaginal dilators two weeks later. Each patient was given a set of four vaginal dilators, and a vaginal dilator diary. The third visit was completed six to eight weeks post treatment and consisted of completion of the PROMIS sexual health survey, review of the vaginal dilator diary, discussion of patient progress, and reinforcement of education. Results: From August 2016 to September 2017, 38 patients were approached and all completed the first visit (100%). Twenty-three patients completed the second visit (61%). Thirteen patients have completed all three visits (35%). At the end of three visits 11 (85%) of 13 patients were using vaginal dilators, and three had become sexually active. Conclusions: This program demonstrates a high enrollment and completion rate, as well as an important survivorship issue for women undergoing pelvic radiation. The reinforcement of long term effects of radiation enabled patients to understand the importance of using vaginal dilators in to maintain vaginal health and maintain sexual function.

Anorgasmia from Clomipramine in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

1987 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. O. Monteiro ◽  
H. F. Noshirvani ◽  
I. M. Marks ◽  
P.T. Lelliott
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Sexual Side Effects

Forty-six patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder undergoing a double-blind controlled study of clomipramine and placebo were interviewed to assess changes in sexual function. Of 33 patients with previously normal orgasm, nearly all of the 24 on clomipramine developed total or partial anorgasmia; none of the 9 on placebo did so. Anorgasmia persisted with minimal tolerance over the five months that clomipramine was taken. Men and women were equally affected. Sexual side-effects are easily missed without a structured interview, and can detract from the value of drug treatment.

scholarly journals Discussing Sexual Health in the Medical Oncologist’s Practice: Exploring Current Practice and Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Krouwel ◽  
L. F. Albers ◽  
M. P. J. Nicolai ◽  
H. Putter ◽  
S. Osanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Sexual Health Care ◽  
Sexual Side Effects ◽  
Medical Oncologists ◽  
Sexual Counselling ◽  
Treatment Intent

AbstractSexuality is a significant quality-of-life concern for many cancer patients. Patients may be disadvantaged if they are not informed and not offered sexual health care. We sought to reveal oncologists’ current practice and opinions concerning sexual counselling. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice patterns of Dutch medical oncologists regarding treatment-related sexual dysfunction. Questionnaires were sent to 433 members of the Dutch Society of Medical Oncology. The majority (81.5%) of the 120 responding medical oncologists (response rate 30.6%) stated they discussed sexual function with fewer than half of their patients. At the same time, 75.8% of the participating oncologists agreed that addressing sexual function is their responsibility. Sexual function was discussed more often with younger patients and patients with a curative treatment intent. Barriers for avoiding discussing sexual function were lack of time (56.1%), training (49.5%) and advanced age of the patient (50.4%). More than half (64.6%) stated they had little knowledge about the subject and the majority (72.9%) wanted to acquire additional training in sexual function counselling. Medical oncologists accept that sexual function counselling falls within their profession, yet they admit to not counselling patients routinely concerning sexual function. Only in a minority of cases do medical oncologists inform their patients about sexual side effects of treatment. Whether they counsel patients is related to how they view patient’s prognosis, patient’s age, and self-reported knowledge. Findings indicate there is a role for developing education and practical training.

Predictors of Sexual Health in Women After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2371-2371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Ganz ◽  
Katherine A. Desmond ◽  
Thomas R. Belin ◽  
Beth E. Meyerowitz ◽  
Julia H. Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Common

PURPOSE: To identify variables that might be predictive of sexual health (interest, dysfunction, and satisfaction) in a large sample of breast cancer survivors, with a validation conducted in a second, independent sample. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On the basis of a conceptual framework of sexual health in breast cancer survivors, we performed multivariable regression analyses to estimate sexual interest, dysfunction, and satisfaction in both samples. Additional analyses were performed using stepwise regression and recursive partitioning to explore in each sample the relative contributions of the independent variables toward predicting the outcome measures. RESULTS: The models for sexual interest accounted for at least 33% of the variance, and the significant predictors common to the two samples were having a new partner since the diagnosis of breast cancer, mental health score, and body image score. For sexual dysfunction, the models in the two samples explained at least 33% of the variance, and the common significant predictors were vaginal dryness, past chemotherapy use, and having a new partner since diagnosis. The sexual satisfaction models explained at least 27% of the variance, with the common significant predictors being the quality of the partnered relationship and sexual problems in the partner. CONCLUSION: Among the predictors of sexual health, several are mutable (vaginal dryness, emotional well-being, body image, the quality of the partnered relationship, and sexual problems in the partner), and these should be considered for future interventions to address the sexual health and well-being of breast cancer survivors.

Sexual Side-Effects of Psychiatric Drugs

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Segraves
Keyword(s):  
Erectile Dysfunction ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Psychiatric Drugs ◽  
Sexual Side Effects ◽  
Clinical Series ◽  
Retarded Ejaculation

Clinical case reports, clinical series, and a small number of controlled studies provide evidence that many commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs may have untoward effects on sexual function. Both heterocyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors appear to be associated with ejaculatory impairment. Erectile dysfunction and retarded ejaculation have been associated with neuroleptics. Several benzodiazepines have been reported to interfere with ejaculation. This information has clear significance for the prescribing physician.

scholarly journals The Potential of Hormonal Contraception to Influence Female Sexuality

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa de Castro Coelho ◽  
Cremilda Barros
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptives ◽  
Female Sexual Function ◽  
Sexual Side Effects ◽  
The Impact

The association between female sexual function and hormonal contraception is controversial. Recognition and management of sexual side effects in women using hormonal contraceptives are challenging. An unsatisfactory number of studies report the influence of the available contraceptives on female sexuality. This article provides an updated narrative review regarding the effect and the magnitude of the impact that hormonal contraceptives play in female sexual function.

Beneficial Sexual Side-effects from Fluoxetine

1994 ◽  
Vol 164 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parsley Power-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Premature Ejaculation ◽  
Sexual Side Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Doses

We report cases of several side-effects from the antidepressant fluoxetine. We suggest that, at therapeutic doses, fluoxetine may have a beneficial effect on sexual function in some men with erectile failure and premature ejaculation.

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