Purpose: To investigate the longitudinal course of self-reported sexual function and vaginal changes in patients disease free after radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 118 patients referred for RT were included. The patients were assessed, using a validated self-assessment questionnaire, at the termination of RT and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later. The results were compared with an age-matched control group from the general population.

Results: Persistent sexual dysfunction and adverse vaginal changes were reported throughout the 2 years after RT, with small changes over time: approximately 85% had low or no sexual interest, 35% had moderate to severe lack of lubrication, 55% had mild to severe dyspareunia, and 30% were dissatisfied with their sexual life. A reduced vaginal dimension was reported by 50% of the patients, and 45% were never, or only occasionally, able to complete sexual intercourse. Despite sexual dysfunction and vaginal adverse effects, 63% of those sexually active before having cancer remained sexually active after treatment, although with a considerably decreased frequency.

Conclusions: Patients who are disease free after RT for locally advanced, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer are at high risk of experiencing persistent sexual and vaginal problems compromising their sexual activity and satisfaction.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0360-3016(03)00362-6DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

vaginal changes
12
sexual
9
sexual function
8
function vaginal
8
cervical cancer
8
patients disease
8
disease free
8
locally advanced
8
advanced recurrent
8
recurrent persistent
8

Similar Publications

Background: As induction of labor increases in the United States, safe, effective outpatient cervical ripening has been explored as a method to decrease the inpatient time burden. The most effective method of outpatient mechanical cervical ripening remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate if Dilapan-S is non-inferior to cervical balloon for outpatient cervical ripening (CR) based on change in Bishop score.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To examine rates of postpartum hemorrhagic (PPH) morbidity among patients who did and did not have immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC).

Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort of all non-anomalous, term singleton vaginal births at a Level IV center over 2 years. Exclusion criteria included COVID-19.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cervical length on procedure time and VAS pain scores during office hysteroscopy. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients who underwent office hysteroscopy for various indications such as abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility. Exclusion criteria included active vaginal infection, previous cervical surgery, and chronic pelvic pain.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Appendicitis in pregnancy is the most common non-obstetric surgical condition which requires urgent evaluation and immediate intervention in a multidisciplinary approach. Pregnancy anatomical and physiological changes can mask the presentation of appendicitis and poses both diagnostic and management challenges.

Case Presentation: A 32 year old female, G3P2L2 at gestation age of 11 weeks by USS, presented with recurrent episodes of acute abdominal pain for one day, afebrile but accompanied with poor appetite, nausea and vomiting along episodes of per vaginal spotting which started three days prior.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

End-user feedback early in product development is important for optimizing multipurpose prevention technologies for HIV and pregnancy prevention. We evaluated the acceptability of the 90-day dapivirine levonorgestrel ring (DPV-LNG ring) used for 14 days compared to a dapivirine-only ring (DVR-200mg) in MTN-030/IPM 041 (n = 23), and when used for 90 days cyclically or continuously in MTN-044/IPM 053/CCN019 (n = 25). We enrolled healthy, non-pregnant, HIV-negative women aged 18-45 in Pittsburgh, PA and Birmingham, AL (MTN-030 only).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!