The Effect of Cancer and its Treatment on Sexual Dysfunction in Women: A Review Study

Abstract

Context: Sexual dysfunction (SDF) is one of the negative outcomes of cancer, especially breast cancer in women. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the effect of cancer disease and its treatment on SDF in women with cancer. Evidence Acquisition: This narrative review was conducted by searching past studies in reliable international databases, including Web of Science, Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, over the last three decades. In the first step of the search, 189 studies were found. In the second step, 16 studies were selected to present the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The results showed that SDF is one of the essential consequences of cancer, especially breast cancer in women, and the SDF incidence increases after cancer treatment, especially after chemotherapy. Based on previous similar studies, the SDF level in the cancer patients’ group was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals. Conclusions: Based on the results, SDF is one of the critical consequences of cancer and its treatment, which requires taking relevant measures to reduce this complication. In this regard, the physicians of these patients should provide the necessary recommendations as they refer them to psychiatrists. In addition, it is suggested that a part of the activities of psychiatric clinics be devoted to counseling about SDF treatment of breast cancer patients.