The Sexual Health of Women After Gynecologic Malignancy

Each year in the United States, approximately 80,000 women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. Cancer in the female reproductive organs affects sexual functioning in an estimated 50% of women with these cancers. Sexuality issues may persist for more than 10 years after diagnosis, making awareness of these issues an important factor in efforts to improve the quality of life for these women. This article reviews how sexuality is affected and provides recommendations for effective communication, assessment, and management strategies related to sexual dysfunction in gynecologic cancer survivors. J Midwifery Womens Health 2010;55:357-362 (C) 2010 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.