Female sexual disorders in the course of genitourinary cancers

Aleksandra Zając; Karolina Pokora; Bartłomiej Salata; Tomasz Dzierżanowski

doi:10.5114/pm.2023.132901

eISSN: 2081-2833
ISSN: 2081-0016

Medycyna Paliatywna/Palliative Medicine

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3/2023
vol. 15

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abstract:

Review paper

Female sexual disorders in the course of genitourinary cancers

Aleksandra Zając

¹

,

Karolina Pokora

²

,

Bartłomiej Salata

¹

,

Tomasz Dzierżanowski

^{1, 3}

Klinika Medycyny Paliatywnej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Szpital Zakonu Bonifratrów pw. Aniołów Stróżów, Katowice, Polska
Caritas Diecezji Warszawsko-Praskiej

Medycyna Paliatywna 2023; 15(3): 100–109

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2023.132901

Online publish date: 2023/11/16

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The sexuality of women with cancer is impaired both as a direct result of the disease and due to its treatment. Both factors have a significant impact on the body and psyche of patients, leading to sexual disorders of varied and complex aetiology. Among other things, disorders of desire, arousal and orgasm, impaired lubrication and vaginal atrophy, dyspareunia, and deterioration of self-perception are observed in the course of cancer and cancer therapy. Patients with malignancies in locations crucial to sexual health, such as genitourinary cancers, are at particularly high risk for sexual dysfunction. It is estimated that more than 65% of women with cancer experience sexual dysfunction regardless of its type. In gynaecological cancers the reported prevalence of sexual disorders is notably high (78% on average) and can reach as much as 89%, with patients being at 2.7–3.5 times higher risk of developing sexual health dysfunctions than the general population. Greater risk of sexual disorders is also observed in female patients undergoing cystectomy due to bladder cancer. Given the magnitude of the phenomenon, it is important to raise awareness of patients in this area, as well as to implement early diagnosis and implement effective therapy.

keywords:

Female sexual disorders in the course of genitourinary cancers

Aleksandra Zając 1 , Karolina Pokora 2 , Bartłomiej Salata 1 , Tomasz Dzierżanowski 1, 3

treatment of female sexual disorders, ovarian cancer, malignant tumour, gynaecological cancer, female sexual dysfunction, uterine cancer

Aleksandra Zając

¹

,

Karolina Pokora

²

,

Bartłomiej Salata

¹

,

Tomasz Dzierżanowski

^{1, 3}