Work

Best Practice and Management of Sexual Dysfunction Following Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecological Cancer

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Sexual dysfunction, defined as a clinically significant and persistent disturbance in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain during sexual activity, affects up to 90% of gynecologic cancer survivors. Sexual health is a well-established component of quality of life, and its assessment should be routinely integrated into survivorship care. Treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation can result in early menopause, disruption of pelvic vasculature and nerve innovation, and alteration of pelvic anatomy that profoundly impacts sexual health. These physical consequences from treatment can compound the psychological burden that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. Here we review the evidence and provide recommendations for the evaluation and management of sexual dysfunction following the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancer. We will discuss the mechanisms by which cancer-directed therapies affect sexual health, multimodal symptom-based treatment approaches, and lastly highlights awareness for continued areas of advocacy with the goal of providing all patients with comprehensive survivorship care.

Source: International Journal of Women s Health

DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s583630

Authors: Sha Sha, Jessica DiSilvestro, Colin Burnett, Dana D’Alessandro, Katina Robison

Institution: Tufts Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Sexual function and dysfunction studies

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836