Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2012 Mar;18(1):17-27. 10.4069/kjwhn.2012.18.1.17.

Descriptive Study on Sexuality for Women with Gynecological Cancer

Affiliations
  • 1Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. njh@amc.seoul.kr
  • 2College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to identify sexuality for women with gynecological cancer.
METHODS
A total of seven women with gynecological cancer agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews style. A descriptive study design was used in this study. The interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis methodology.
RESULTS
Three themes identified were: 'women with gynecological cancer who give up their sexual life due to misunderstanding and fear', 'women with gynecological cancer who control their body and mind for recovery', 'women with gynecological cancer resume their sexual life with their partner's will'.
CONCLUSION
To improve sexual health and quality of life for women with gynecological cancer, we need to develop programs related to sexual health. An adjusted sexual health program will contribute to increased sexual health and quality of life for women with gynecological cancer.

Keyword

Sexuality; Gynecological neoplasm; Descriptive study

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Quality of Life
Reproductive Health
Sexuality

Cited by  1 articles

Development of a Web-based Sexual Health Program for Women Undergoing Treatment for Gynecologic Cancer and Their Partners
Ju-Hee Nho
Korean J Women Health Nurs. 2016;22(2):104-115.    doi: 10.4069/kjwhn.2016.22.2.104.


Reference

1. Ahn Y.L., Park Y.S. Physical discomforts and sexual life pattern of women with hysterectomy. Journal of Korean Academy of Women's Health Nursing. 2000. 6:218–233.
2. Asan Medical Center. Healthy sexual life for gynecologic cancer patients and partners. 2011. Seoul: Asan Medical Center.
3. Bergmark K., Avall-Lundqvist E., Dickman P.W., Henningsohn L., Steineck G. Vaginal changes and sexuality in women with a history of cervical cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 1999. 340:1383–1389.
Article
4. Chun N.M. A structural equation model on sexual function in women with gynecologic cancer. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2008. 38:639–648.
Article
5. Cull A., Cowie V.J., Farquharson D.I., Livingstone J.R., Smart G.E., Elton R.A. Early stage cervical cancer: Psychological and sexual outcomes of treatment. British Journal of Cancer. 1993. 68:1216–1220.
6. Downe-Wamboldt B. Content analysis: Method, applications, and issues. Health Care for Women International. 1992. 13:313–321.
Article
7. Ekwall E., Ternestedt B.M., Sorbe B. Important aspects of health care for women with gynecologic cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2003. 30:313–319.
Article
8. Ferrell B.R., Smith S.L., Ervin K.S., Itano J., Melancon C. A qualitative analysis of social concerns of women with ovarian cancer. Psycho-Oncology. 2003. 12:647–663.
Article
9. Green M.S., Naumann R.W., Elliot M., Hall J.B., Higgins R.V., Grigsby J.H. Sexual dysfunction following vulvectomy. Gynecologic Oncology. 2000. 77:73–77.
Article
10. Guba E.G. Criteria for assessing the trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiries. Educational Communication and Technology: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Development. 1981. 29:75–91.
11. Hordern A. Intimacy and sexuality for the woman with breast cancer. Cancer Nursing. 2000. 23:230–236.
Article
12. Jang E.J. Sexual life, marital intimacy and depression on pre-post operation of gynecologic cancer patients. 2010. Seoul: Hanyang University;Unpublished master's thesis.
13. Jensen P.T., Groenvold M., Klee M.C., Thranov I., Petersen M.A., Machin D. Longitudinal study of sexual function and vaginal changes after radiotherapy for cervical cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. 2003. 56:937–949.
Article
14. Juraskova I., Butow P., Roberston R., Sharpe L., McLeod C., Hacker N. Post-treatment sexual adjustment following cervical and endometrial cancer: A qualitative insight. Psycho-Oncology. 2003. 12:267–279.
Article
15. Kim E.J. The change of sexual life and couple intimacy in pre-post treatment of gynecologic cancer patients. 2009. Busan: Kosin University;Unpublished master's thesis.
16. Kim S.N., Chang S.B., Kang H.S. Development of sexual satisfaction measurement tool. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 1997. 27:753–764.
Article
17. Krychman M.L. Sexual rehabilitation medicine in a female oncology setting. Gynecologic Oncology. 2006. 101:380–384.
Article
18. Lavin M., Hyde A. Sexuality as an aspect of nursing care for women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer in an Irish context. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2006. 10:10–18.
Article
19. Lee S.Y. A study on sexual life of cancer patients. 2006. Seoul: Ewha Womans University;Unpublished master's thesis.
20. Maslow A.H. A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review. 1943. 50:370–396.
Article
21. Maughan K., Clarke C. The effect of a clinical nurse specialist in gynecological oncology on quality of life and sexuality. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2001. 10:221–229.
22. Moon D.H. The effect of sexual function improvement program for breast surgery women on sexual stress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy. 2011. Gwangju: Chonnam National University;Unpublished doctoral thesis.
23. Nho J.H. Informational needs and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients. 2008. Seoul: Seoul National University;Unpublished master's thesis.
24. Oh J.H. The comparison of sexual function between breast cancer survivors and women without breast cancer. 2006. Seoul: Seoul National University;Unpublished master's thesis.
25. Okazaki S. Influences of culture on Asian Americans's sexuality. Journal of Sex Research. 2002. 39:34–41.
26. Park Y.S., Cho I.S., Kim Y.M. A survey of urban middle-aged women's sexual function and sexual distress. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2007. 13:254–261.
Article
27. Rivalta M., Sighinolfi M.C., Stefani S., Micali S., Mofferdin A., Grande M., et al. Biofeedback, electrical stimulation, pelvic floor muscle exercise, and vaginal cones: A combined rehabilitative approach for sexual dysfunction associated with urinary incontinence. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2009. 6:1674–1677.
28. Sandelowski M. Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing and Health. 2000. 23:334–340.
Article
29. Wiegel M., Meston C., Rosen R. The female sexual function index (FSFI): Cross-validation and development of clinical cutoff scores. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 2005. 31:1–20.
Article
30. Wilmoth M.C., Spinelli A. Sexual implications of gynecologic cancer treatments. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing. 2000. 29:413–421.
Article
31. Yeoum S.G. Sexual condition and attitude for sexual counselling in women with a hysterectomy. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2007. 13:262–271.
Article
32. Yoo G.S. Sex and love of husband and wife. 2005. Seoul: Kyung Hee University Publication.
Full Text Links
  • KJWHN
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr