Survey of sexual dysfunction in women with cervical cancer and a history of pelvic radiation therapy in 2009 to 2013 in Ghaem and Omid hospitals, Mashhad

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in developing countries. In cervical cancer patient، both surgery and radiation therapy can cause sexual dysfunction. Therefore، this study was performed with aim to survey sexual dysfunction in women with cervical cancer and a history of pelvic radiation therapy.

This study was performed on 176 women with cervical cancer and a history of pelvic radiation therapy referred to Ghaem and Omid hospitals in Mashhad who were selected using convenient sampling from 2009 to 2013. Research tools consisted of personal information form and ROSEN Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16. 5) and Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient tests.

53 (30%) of women with cervical cancer and a history of pelvic radiation therapy had low sexual desire، 86 (49%) undesirable sexual arousal، 62 (35%) low lubrication، 74 (42%) undesirable orgasm. 70 (40%) of women complained of dyspareunia and 42 (24%) of Women were dissatisfied from sexual function. There was a significant correlation between sexual function with staging of cervical cancer (P= 0. 001، r= - 0. 25). There was a significant correlation between sexual desire (P= 0. 04)، sexual arousal (P= 0. 008)، lubrication (P= 0. 001)، orgasm (P= 0. 004)، sexual satisfaction (P= 0. 009) and dyspareunia (P= 0. 000) with staging of cervical cancer.

Sexual disorders in women with cervical cancer and a history of pelvic radiation therapy and correlation between sexual function with stage of cervical cancer reflects the fact that treatment، education and counseling programs is necessary for these women.