[Sex behavior following primary radiotherapy of cervix cancer]

57 women with invasive cervical carcinoma treated by primary irradiation were asked by means of a questionnaire about their partnership, especially about their sexual life. 9 women (15.7%) had no more sexual intercourse. 50% of those 48 patients who were sexually active also after the treatment had marked discomfort during coitus due to lack of lubrication. They reported pain caused by a short or narrow vagina less often (20.8%). Only 33.3% had their first intercourse 3 months after the irradiation, frequency of cohabitation was reduced in 68.4% of the patients. The reason for this was fear of recurrence of the cancer, fear of pain and lack of libido: 57.9% of the women mentioned reduced libido. Before irradiation 14% had no orgasm during the coitus, but 52% had none after treatment. The sexual life was not disturbed in those women who had been well informed about the consequences of the irradiation and who had their first intercourse soon after the therapy.