Sexuality and Quality of Life after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
- Author:
Hong Ghi LEE
1
;
Eun Young PARK
;
Hyun Mee KIM
;
Kihyun KIM
;
Won Seog KIM
;
Sung Soo YOON
;
Won Ki KANG
;
Keun Chil PARK
;
Chan Hyung PARK
Author Information
1. Departments of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sexuality;
Quality of life;
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- MeSH:
Adult;
Female;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/*adverse effects/psychology;
Human;
Male;
Middle Age;
Quality of Life;
Questionnaires;
Sex Disorders/*etiology;
*Sexuality
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
2002;17(1):19-23
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The quality of sexuality is significantly affected by physical changes following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the dissatisfied and/or dysfunctional sexuality may cause deterioration in the quality of life (QOL). METHODS: With two models of questionnaires, we interviewed thirty-eight patients who remained in the disease-free status after HSCT and had sex partners, to assess: 1) the changes in sexuality, 2) QOL in physical, psychological, social and spiritual domains and 3) the correlation between sexuality and QOL. RESULTS: The common physical changes that may affect sexuality in women were secondary amenorrhea (69.2%), loss of sexual interest (53.8%), diminished vaginal secretion (50%), menopausal syndrome (34.6%), dyspareunia (30.8%) and failure to orgasm (23.1%), while men complained of impotence (41.7%) and difficulty in ejaculation (16.7%). For sexuality, satisfaction of sexual activity, attainment of orgasm and frequency of intercourse decreased significantly after HSCT as compared with the pre-transplant levels. A score measuring QOL after HSCT marked 5.91 on a full score of 10; social domain ranked the lowest (5.01) while physical domain the highest (6.70). Among the items of sexuality, only sexual desire was significantly correlated with QOL; satisfaction, orgasm and frequency were not significantly correlated with QOL. CONCLUSION: Although sexuality is affected by the physical changes following HSCT, we should not overlook the psychological and social effects on the sexuality of post-transplant patients. Therefore, educational and counseling programs are very important to restore and improve their sexuality.
