Cancer treatments cause sexual dysfunction—study
POSTED March 14, 2010 - 17:03 | POSTED BY neha gupta
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on March 14, 2010 - 17:22
These sexual problems are more frequent in cases of colorectal carcinoma, a cancer growth in the rectum, colon as well as appendix areas.
368 patients studied
The study, targeted at analyzing the ill effects of cancer treatments on the sex life of the patients, looked at 368 cancer sufferers who had undergone cancer treatments for tumor.
The patients were asked questions like "Has the operation resulted in an impairment of your sexuality?" and "How much does this disturb you?" in order to reveal any sexual dysfunctions faced by them.
Results of the study
The study has revealed that male patients experience more difficulty in due course than female patients.
Among females, the younger female patients faced more difficulty in enjoying sex than the older women.
The decline in sexual dysfunction gradually increased with the size of the wound.
Radiation and Chemotherapy, too, were of no help in enhancing the sexual function of the patients, claimed the researchers.
The study has been published in the current issue of Deutsches Arzteblatt International.
Suspected causes of the dysfunction
Though the actual causes of sexual dysfunction in cancer patients has not yet been revealed, the researchers are of the view that it is caused by muscle weakness due to the treatments.
These treatments make men incapable of a longer intercourse by weakening their orgasm and causing dryness, resulting in their sexual dysfunction.
According to the researchers, the women found the intercourse painful after a cancer treatment, besides experiencing a loss of sensation in their genital areas.
Besides these medical reasons, emotional issues like the fear of rejection, social inhibitions, treatment effects like scars, skin changes, weight changes etc. also make the patients feel bad about their body, lowering their sex drive.
Focusing on positive aspects, like being proud of your body, talking things out with your partner, thinking positive, meeting a counselor or a sex therapist and being open to change can enhance sexual functioning in the patients.
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