Cervical cancer and sexuality: effects of a psychoeducational intervention and sildenafil on sexual arousal, relationship satisfaction and quality of life after hysterectomy

More than 25 percent of women who have a radical hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and upper vagina) as part of treatment for cervical cancer develop sexual difficulties related to genital arousal. There are no established treatments for these sexual problems leaving women with chronic distress. Dr. Lori Brotto has developed and is assessing whether a psycho-educational treatment can improve sexual arousal in these women. She is also assessing the effectiveness of combining the treatment with sildenafil citrate (Viagra). Dr. Brotto aims to incorporate qualitative feedback with psycho-physiological and self-report measures on the effectiveness of the psycho-educational treatment in hopes of improving clinical practice. The research could help improve sexual health, mood, and overall quality of life for cancer survivors and their partners. It could also broaden understanding of women’s sexuality and guide future research to better address women’s sexual health care needs.