Sexuality After Ovarian Cancer Therapy

Juliane Farthmann, Annette Hasenburg
In: Ovarian Cancer - Clinical and Therapeutic Perspectives · 2012 · doi:10.5772/27056 · W1538968634
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Ovarian cancer therapy can cause sexual dysfunction, including dyspareunia and orgasmic dysfunction, with varied causes and treatment options available.

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Abstract

Disturbances of sex life may significantly impair the quality of life and negatively affect the partnership of many women undergoing therapy for ovarian cancer. The problems may have different causes depending on the personal history, the development of female identity and the body self-image of affected women. Younger women are mostly concerned by the complete loss of ovarian function, while for postmenopausal women the loss of the remaining androgen activity of the postmenopausal ovary may play an important role. Importantly, 62% of patients complain of dyspareunia and 75% of orgasmic dysfunction after therapy for ovarian cancer. The significance of radical pelvic and para-aortal lymph node dissection with regard to sexual arousal disorders is not yet very clear. Physicians function as an important model when they talk about therapy-induced sexual dysfunction, thereby signalizing that they regard sexuality as a natural part of life. Physicians do not necessarily need special training to provide sexual therapy. An attitude of interest and an open mind with regard to the patients' sexual problems may give her or him the opportunity for further helpful interventions. Somatic or sexual impairments should not be equated with a general failure of the person. Addressing such problems in detail can avoid unnecessary suffering for patients. A local or systemic application of estrogens seems justifiable from an oncological point of view. Antidepressive therapy should be considered if necessary. For premenopausal patients with an early and highly differentiated carcinoma fertility-preserving surgery may be an option.

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dyspareunia

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