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Self-reported Sexual Health-Related Outcomes in Gynecological Cancer Survivors: Results From a Quasi-experimental
Anita Paulsen1, Liv Fegran, Milada Hagen
1Author Affiliations: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sorlandet Hospital (Ms Paulsen and Dr Vistad); and Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder (Ms Paulsen, Dr Fegran, and Dr Hagen), Kristiansand; Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University (Dr Hagen); Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo (Dr Vistad), Norway.
Background:
Gynecological cancer survivors often face sexual health challenges posttreatment, making interventions to address these issues essential.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate changes in sexual health-related outcomes among gynecological cancer survivors comparing 2 different follow-up models.
Methods:
This preplanned substudy utilized data from the Lifestyle and Empowerment Techniques in Survivorship of Gynecologic Oncology study. Participants were assigned to either the intervention or control group based on their treatment hospital. The control group received standard follow-up care, whereas the intervention group received shared follow-up care with sexual health communication. Analyses included 686 participants with sexual activity as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included feelings of reduced physical attractiveness for all, sexual enjoyment and vaginal dryness (sexually active participants), and reasons for sexual inactivity (sexually inactive participants). Assessments were conducted at the end of treatment and at 6 and 12 months posttreatment.
Results:
No statistically significant group differences were found in any of the outcomes at 12 months. The intervention group showed a more favorable trend in sexual activity at 6 months, not sustained at 12 months. Both groups experienced an increase in vaginal dryness. The absence of a partner was the most common reason for sexual inactivity.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest that nurse-led sexual health communication during routine follow-up consultations may have a limited impact on the sexual health-related outcomes measured in this study.
Implications For Practice:
More intensive and individualized interventions may be necessary for significant improvements in the outcomes of this study.
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