[Effect of treated genital cancer on sexual functions of the woman]

By means of a structured interview and four questionnaires (Heterosexual development of woman, Sexual activity of woman, Sexual function of woman and Questionnaire N5 which evaluates the presence and intensity of neurotic symptoms) the authors examined 163 women following treatment of a malignant tumor of the genitalia. The examination was made during balneological therapy in a spa. Their age varied between 20 and 63 years. The feeling of female inferiority was recorded roughly in every eighth proband. Deterioration of sexual function of varying extent affected every second patient. Changes in emotional relations between couples (partners) were more favourable than in sexual life. Emotional and sexual relations improvement was recorded in every fifth and eleventh woman compared with the state before the illness. Husbands or partners of the patients had great understanding and were very tolerant. In the author's opinion it is a pleasant surprise that one quarter of the patients perceived the associated stress only as medium or even small stress. A general change (deterioration) of sexual intercourse correlated directly with subjectively perceived stress. The investigation revealed also that women treated on account of malignant tumors of the genitalia on the territory of former Czechoslovakia have practically no contacts with specialists in sexual rehabilitation.