Biological and psychological changes on female sexuality and comradeship after gynecological cancer treatment

Doctoral Dissertation uoadl:1305867 555 Read counter

Unit:
Τομέας Υγείας - Μητέρας - Παιδιού
Library of the School of Health Sciences
Deposit date:
2014-05-15
Year:
2014
Author:
Βαϊδάκης Διονύσης
Dissertation committee:
Καθηγητής Σαλαμαλέκης Ε., Καθηγητής Κασσάνος Δ., Καθηγητής Παπαδημητρίου Γ
Original Title:
Βιολογική και ψυχολογική διερεύνηση της σεξουαλικότητας και των συντροφικών σχέσεων μετά τη θεραπεία του γυναικολογικού καρκίνου
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Biological and psychological changes on female sexuality and comradeship after gynecological cancer treatment
Summary:
Aim of the study was to record how the treatment and the adjuvant therapy of
breast and gynecological cancer may affect sexuality and interpersonal
relations in the couple.
Materials and method: From 2008 to 2012, we prospectively studied 67 patients
with breast cancer (Group A) and 43 with cervical, endometrial or ovarian
cancer (Group B). As control groups we used 33 patients with benign breast and
30 patients with benign gynecological lesions. We evaluated interpersonal
relations focusing on sexual function at the time of diagnosis and a year after
the initial treatment for cancer. Sexuality and interpersonal relatedness was
evaluated by a self- report questionnaire. Blood was collected to investigate
the possible effect of Testosterone, Cortisol and Prolactin on sexuality.
Results: A significant reduction of the ‘’Sexual desire’’ dimension was found
in both groups. The ‘’Sexual enjoyment’’ scale was significantly decreased in
Group B but not in Group A. ‘’Sexual Arousal’’ was decreased in both groups but
the degree of reduction was greater in Group B. The score on the ‘’Relationship
quality’’ dimension increased in both groups while the score on ‘’Orgasm’’
dimensions decreased significantly in both groups. Hormones levels were not
different between the groups at baseline measures.
Conclusion: The majority of patients in our study faced sexual dysfunctions,
both immediately and one year following the end of treatment. Secondary
menopause and the psychological effect of cancer treatment appeared to affect
female sexual desire, while anatomical and physiological changes were found to
affect arousal and orgasmic phases.
Keywords:
Breast cancer, Gynecological cancer, Sexual disorders, Comradeship , Sexual dysfunctions
Index:
Yes
Number of index pages:
4-10
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
191
Number of pages:
VI, 165
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