Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction and Affecting Factors in Turkish Women with Gynecological Cancer

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and affecting factors in women with gynecological cancer, in a cross-sectional, descriptive and qualitative design. The study was held during the period between May 1st and June 30th 2013, in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and the sample size consisted of 230 patients. The collection of data employed Patient Information Forms, Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and In-Depth Interview Forms. In-Depth interviews were conducted with 20 women with SD. The data were evaluated by Mann–Whitney U, Kruskall-Walls, Multiple Regression and Content Analysis techniques. The average IFSF score of women diagnosed with gynecological cancer was revealed to be 20.36 ± 10.32, and SD was observed in 80 % of these women. According to the collected data, more cases of SD were observed in women who are 50 years of age or older, with low levels of education (primary school), unemployed, married through arrangement, married for more than 30 years, diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and underwent surgical operations (p < 0.05). At the end of the interviews conducted with these women, it was concluded that body image, sexual role, sexual functions and reproductivity, representing the four major dimensions of sexual health associated with diagnosis and treatment process were adversely affected at a great extent. SD is a common problem in patients with gynecological cancer. In this respect, it is of utmost importance for health professionals to adopt a holistic approach towards the sexual problems of women and initiate multidisciplinary attempts for their solution.