Особенности сексуального функционирования женщин после лечения онкогинекологических заболеваний

Kondrateva, K. O., Джалилова, А. А., Kargalskaya, I. G., Tkachenko, G. A., Salpagarova, A. V., Potravko, E. N., Makarova, K. A., Semiglazova, T. Y., & Kasparov, B. S. (2026). Features of Women’s Sexual Functioning After Treatment for Gynecological Cancers. Voprosy Onkologii, 72(2), OF–2536. https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2026-72-2-OF-2536

Abstract

Introduction. The article presents the results of a study on the features of sexual functioning in patients after comprehensive treatment for gynecological cancers (uterine body, cervical, and ovarian cancers). As cure rates for these cancers improve, the quality of life and the return to normal functioning, where intimate relationships play a crucial role, have become increasingly important issues.

Aim. The aim of the study was to identify the clinical and psychological factors affecting sexual function in women who have completed anticancer treatment.

Materials and Methods. A prospective study included 83 patients in the main group (mean age 48.3 ± 9.1 years) who completed treatment for early-stage (I-II) gynecological cancers, and 50 women in a control group, matched for age (46.2 ± 8.4 years) and marital status. All patients in the main group were in remission for 6 to 60 months post-treatment. A set of validated instruments was used: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Body Image Scale (BIS), Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), FACIT-Fatigue scale, and a custom clinical and demographic questionnaire.

Results. Data analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in sexual function parameters in the main group compared to the control group (total FSFI score: 17.2 ± 5.8 vs 28.5 ± 4.1; p < 0.001). The impairments were generalized, affecting all domains of sexual function: desire (2.4 ± 1.1 vs 4.3 ± 0.9), arousal (3.1 ± 1.4 vs 5.2 ± 0.7), lubrication (3.3 ± 1.6 vs 5.5 ± 0.5), orgasm (3.0 ± 1.7 vs 5.1 ± 0.8), satisfaction (4.0 ± 1.8 vs 5.4 ± 0.6), and pain (3.4 ± 1.9 vs 5.0 ± 0.7). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the significant independent impact of two groups of factors: physical — presence of chronic pelvic pain (β = -2.85; p < 0.001), iatrogenic menopause (β = -2.41; p < 0.001), previous radiotherapy (β = -2.10; p < 0.001), and severe fatigue (β = -1.92; p = 0.001); and 2) Psychosocial factors — body image disturbance (β = -3.15; p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (β = -2.68; p < 0.001), and poor communication with the partner (β = -1.75; p = 0.001).

Conclusion. The findings strongly demonstrate the necessity of developing comprehensive psychosexual rehabilitation programs.

https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2026-72-2-OF-2536

##article.numberofdownloads## 17

##article.numberofviews## 98

pdf (Русский)

References

Carter J., Rowland K., Chi D., et al. Gynecologic cancer treatment and the impact of cancer-related infertility. Gynecologic Oncology. 2005; 97(1): 90-95.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2004.12.019.

Ткаченко Г.А., Степанова А.М. Комплексная реабилитация сексуальных нарушений у женщин после радикального лечения рака молочной железы. Онкогинекология. 2021; 40(4): 63-67.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2023-69-1-108-114. [Tkachenko G.A., Stepanova A.M. Comprehensive rehabilitation of sexual dysfunctions in women after radical treatment of breast cancer. Oncogynecology. 2021; 40(4): 63-67.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2023-69-1-108-114 (In Rus)].

Кондратьева К.О., Семиглазова Т.Ю., Каспаров Б.С. Особенности сексуальности женщин после лечения рака молочной железы. Вопросы онкологии. 2023; 69(1): 108-14.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2023-69-1-108-114. [Kondrateva K.O., Semiglazova T.Yu., Kasparov B.S. Features of sexuality among breast cancer women after comprehensive treatment. Voprosy Onkologii = Problems in Oncology. 2023; 69(1): 108-14.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2023-69-1-108-114 (In Rus)].

Онкопсихология для врачей-онкологов и медицинских психологов. Руководство. Под ред. А.М. Беляева, В.А. Чулковой, Т.Ю. Семиглазовой, М.В. Рогачева. СПб: Любавич. 2017: 352. [Oncopsychology for oncologists and medical psychologists. Management. Ed. by Belyaev A.M., Chulkova V.A., Semiglazova T.Yu., Rogachev M.V. St. Petersburg: Lyubavich. 2017: 352 (In Rus)].

Asakitogum D.A., Nutor J.J., Pozzar R., et al. Systematic review of the literature on multiple co-occurring symptoms in patients receiving treatment for gynecologic cancers. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2024; 40(1): 151572.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151572.

Miles T., Johnson N. Vaginal dilator therapy for women receiving pelvic radiotherapy. Cochrane Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014; 2014(9): CD007291.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007291.pub3.

Shylasree T.S., Ranade R., Kattepur A.K., et al. Quality of life in long term survivors of cervical cancer: A cross sectional study. Indian J Cancer. 2021; 58(2): 171-178.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijc.IJC_712_18.

Chang C.P., Wilson C.M., Rowe K., et al. Sexual dysfunction among gynecologic cancer survivors in a population-based cohort study. Support Care Cancer. 2022; 31(1): 51.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07469-6.

Wilson C.M., McGuire D.B., Rodgers B.L., et al. Body image, sexuality, and sexual functioning in women with gynecologic cancer: An integrative review of the literature and implications for research. Cancer Nurs. 2021; 44(5): E252-E286.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000000818.

Shams M., Coman C., Fatone F., et al. The impact of gynecologic cancer on female sexuality in Europe and MENA (Middle East and North Africa): a literature review. Sex Med Rev. 2024; 12(4): 587-599.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sxmrev/qeae039.

Aykol A.S., Dissiz M. The impact of gynecological cancers on women's marital satisfaction, spousal support, and quality of life: a cross-sectional comparative study. BMC Women's Health. 2025; 25(1): 456.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-04027-0.

Gilbert E., Ussher J.M., Perz J. Sexuality after gynaecological cancer: a review of the material, intrapsychic, and discursive aspects of treatment on women's sexual-wellbeing. Maturitas. 2011; 70(1): 42-57.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.06.013.

Yoder A.K., Dong E., Yu X., et al. Effect of quality of life on radiation adherence for patients with cervical cancer in an urban safety net health system. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2023; 116(1): 182-190.-DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.10.013.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.