Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors
Abstract Introduction Breast cancer strongly affects sexual desires physical and sexual attractiveness. This study was conducted to assess sexual function and related factors among women with breast cancer. Materials and methods This study was performed on 149 women with breast cancer diagnosed by a...
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| Language: | English |
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03901-1 |
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| author | Adele Isanazar Zahra Akhlaghi Fatemeh Nejatifar Nastaran Mirfarhadi |
| author_facet | Adele Isanazar Zahra Akhlaghi Fatemeh Nejatifar Nastaran Mirfarhadi |
| author_sort | Adele Isanazar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Breast cancer strongly affects sexual desires physical and sexual attractiveness. This study was conducted to assess sexual function and related factors among women with breast cancer. Materials and methods This study was performed on 149 women with breast cancer diagnosed by an oncologist, and the demographic and clinical data were also recorded. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function in women. Results The mean score of sexual function in patients was 16.44 ± 8.85. Among participants, 137 (91.9%) had sexual dysfunction. The most frequent sexual disorder was related to dissatisfaction (75.8%) and arousal problems (72.5%). All disorders of sexual functions were significantly higher among patients older than 51 years, with pre-high school education level, menopausal status, marriage duration 28.40 ± 9.46years, number of children ≥ 3, and duration of breast cancer more than seven months (p < 0.05). The frequency of all sexual disorders, except for sexual function, was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer (p < 0.05). The complications in vaginal lubrication, and orgasm was significantly higher in those who underwent radiation therapy (p < 0.05). The results of this logistic regression analysis indicate that age and the duration of breast cancer are significantly associated with the likelihood of sexual dysfunction in the women (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study reveals a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with breast cancer, with a notably low mean sexual function score. Key factors contributing to these challenges include age, education level, menopausal status, and the duration of both breast cancer and marriage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9b52cf4a53ab41f7b2d51ce9490ece5a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-9b52cf4a53ab41f7b2d51ce9490ece5a2025-08-20T04:03:06ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-07-012511810.1186/s12905-025-03901-1Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivorsAdele Isanazar0Zahra Akhlaghi1Fatemeh Nejatifar2Nastaran Mirfarhadi3Kavosh Cognitive Behavior Sciences and Addiction Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical SciencesHematology and Medical Oncology Department, Guilan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Breast cancer strongly affects sexual desires physical and sexual attractiveness. This study was conducted to assess sexual function and related factors among women with breast cancer. Materials and methods This study was performed on 149 women with breast cancer diagnosed by an oncologist, and the demographic and clinical data were also recorded. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function in women. Results The mean score of sexual function in patients was 16.44 ± 8.85. Among participants, 137 (91.9%) had sexual dysfunction. The most frequent sexual disorder was related to dissatisfaction (75.8%) and arousal problems (72.5%). All disorders of sexual functions were significantly higher among patients older than 51 years, with pre-high school education level, menopausal status, marriage duration 28.40 ± 9.46years, number of children ≥ 3, and duration of breast cancer more than seven months (p < 0.05). The frequency of all sexual disorders, except for sexual function, was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer (p < 0.05). The complications in vaginal lubrication, and orgasm was significantly higher in those who underwent radiation therapy (p < 0.05). The results of this logistic regression analysis indicate that age and the duration of breast cancer are significantly associated with the likelihood of sexual dysfunction in the women (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study reveals a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with breast cancer, with a notably low mean sexual function score. Key factors contributing to these challenges include age, education level, menopausal status, and the duration of both breast cancer and marriage.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03901-1Breast cancerSexual arousalSexual desireSexual function |
| spellingShingle | Adele Isanazar Zahra Akhlaghi Fatemeh Nejatifar Nastaran Mirfarhadi Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors BMC Women's Health Breast cancer Sexual arousal Sexual desire Sexual function |
| title | Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| title_full | Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| title_fullStr | Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| title_short | Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| title_sort | sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer a forgotten aspect among survivors |
| topic | Breast cancer Sexual arousal Sexual desire Sexual function |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03901-1 |
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