Sexual functioning of women treated for cancer of the vulva

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Abstract
In this article sexual functioning of seven women treated for cancer of the vulva 12 months post-treatment is described. A detailed assessment of current sexual functioning was carried out using both interviews and self-report questionnaires for data collection. The results make clear that according to the participant's point of view, rather dramatic changes in sexual life occurred because of the cancer and its treatment. However, if we compare the data of the participants with data from an age-matched control group, no important differences could be traced on the main aspects of sexual functioning, i.e. sexual satisfaction, sexual behaviour and sexual motivation. Only significant differences in experienced sexual arousal and orgasm could be noticed. It is therefore hypothesized that sexual rehabilitation itself is determined at a higher level by a more general striving for balance in the relationship. This means that interventions to prevent or reduce sexual problems after gynaecological cancer treatment could best be directed not only towards the patient but to the partner as well.