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The quality of sexual life in women with gynaecological cancers

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

This cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of determining the quality of sexual life and related factors in women with gynaecological cancers.

Methods

The study was conducted in the gynaecological oncology clinic of a state hospital. Women who were diagnosed with gynaecological cancers constituted the study population. Eighty married women who were diagnosed with cancer and who agreed to participate were included in the study. Data were collected by a personal data form, the Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL) Questionnaire-Female and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

Results

The mean age of the women was 52.16 (SD 10.04). Of the patients, 61.3% had ovarian cancer, 22.5% endometrial cancer, and 13.8% cervical cancer and 56.3% had been diagnosed with cancer during the previous year. Sixty percent of the women were receiving cancer therapy. The mean score of MSPSS was 67.60 (SD 14.03), and SQOL was 52.50 (SD 22.87). Although there was no significant difference between mean SQOL according to individual and disease characteristics, a positive statistically significant relationship was detected between total and subdimension (family, friend and significant other) scores of MSPSS (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

According to the results obtained from the study, it can be stated that the sexual quality of life of women with gynaecological cancers is moderate and social support, especially support from a significant person, may affect quality of sexual life positively.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Prof. Dr Mustafa Benekli for his help with this study.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey

    Zehra Golbasi

  2. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayten Senturk Erenel

Authors
  1. Zehra Golbasi
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  2. Ayten Senturk Erenel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zehra Golbasi.

Additional information

This study was presented as oral presentation at 7th National Reproductive Health and Family Planning Congress, 22–25 April 2011, Ankara , Turkey.

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Golbasi, Z., Erenel, A.S. The quality of sexual life in women with gynaecological cancers. Arch Gynecol Obstet 285, 1713–1717 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2210-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2210-5

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