Sexual functioning of cervical cancer survivors: a review with a female perspective

Objective

Sex is an important, often deteriorated, dimension of quality of life after cancer treatment. We conducted a systematic review on sexual functioning of cervical cancer survivors.

Methods

Studies between January 1988 and April 2010 were rated on their internal validity. Results were analyzed focusing on four major categories of sexual functioning: desire, arousal, orgasm, pain. Comparisons were made between healthy controls versus cervical cancer survivors, survivors before versus after treatment and between different treatment modalities.

Results

Twenty studies were included. Most studies showed no differences in the ability to achieve an orgasm. Cervical cancer survivors reported more dyspareunia than healthy controls and dyspareunia was more frequent and lasted longer after radiotherapy. Lack of lubrication was more frequent in cervical cancer survivors and a significant decrease in sexual interest and activity after treatment was found.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer survivors are at risk for sexual pain disorders, while sexual satisfaction (orgasm) is not impaired and radiotherapy negatively influenced sexual pain disorders. Health care providers should inform cervical cancer survivors about the possible risk of developing sexual pain disorders after cervical cancer treatment, especially after radiotherapy. As sexual satisfaction per se is not impaired, we suggest that prevention and treatment of sexual dysfunction should focus on painless and satisfactory sex instead of on resuming intercourse.