Effect of Sexual Function Improvement Program for Breast Cancer Survivors on Sexual Distress, Sexual Satisfaction and Marital Intimacy

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine effects of a sexual function improvement program on sexual distress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: With quasi-experimental design, a total of 54 women after breast surgery were assigned into experimental group (n=28) and control group (n=26) after recruited via convenience sampling. They were endocrine surgery outpatients in university hospital at Chonnam province. Experimental group received a sexual function improvement program 5 sessions over 5 weeks. Sexual distress, sexual satisfaction, and marital intimacy were examined with self-report structured questionaries. Data were analyzed using ?2 test, Fisher's exact, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance with SPSS 17.0/window program. RESULTS: Women who participated in the sexual function improvement program had lower sexual distress (F=27.29, p<.001), higher sexual satisfaction (t=3.09, p=.003) higher marital intimacy (F=17.51, p<.001) than the women who did not participate. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that a sexual function improvement program can be effective strategy to improve sexual distress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy. Therefore, this program can be regarded as useful nursing intervention program for breast cancer survivors.

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction in Korean Premenopausal Women: A Community-Based Study / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 629 married women in the Chonnam and Gwangju area were randomly included in this study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire on FSD, which consisted of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), as well as psychological, physiological, and demographic factors. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 36.97 years and the mean FSFI score was 25.56 out of a total score of 36. Based on the total FSFI score, 42.9% of the women had scores less than the cut-off point of 25, the assessed definition of FSD. The prevalence of FSD by age group was: 31.3% for 20~29 year olds, 41.6% for 30~39 year olds, and 51.8% for 40~49 year olds. A stepwise regression analysis found that women with higher levels of sexual distress, lower frequency of sexual intercourse, lower levels of life satisfaction, a less important appraisal of sex, a higher likelihood of depression, more conservative attitude toward sex, irregular menstrual cycle, higher age, chronic disease, and a smoking habit were more likely to suffer from FSD. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FSD in Korean women was common and comparable to those reported worldwide. Sexual distress, frequency of sexual intercourse, and life satisfaction were important associated factors of FSD.

A Study on Female Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Distress, Sexual Attitude and Knowledge in Korean Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that approximately 40% of women between 40 and 64 years of age cease their sexual activity. The aim of this study was to establish the basic data for FSD (female sexual dysfunction) and FSD-related factors in regional urban and rural areas of Korea. METHOD: Three hundred twenty five women over 20 years of age and resident in regional urban and rural areas were analyzed by a visit survey with an organized questionnaire. The female sexual function index (FSFI) for measurement of sexual dysfunction was used. The significance between the degree of sexual dysfunction and characteristics of the participants was analyzed by a t-test and ANOVA test. The relationship between the degree of sexual dysfunction and related factors was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: All analyzing tools including the FSFI had a high validity for measuring. The FSFI in Korean women was 19.97+/-4.87 and ranged from 2 to 29. Old age, menopause, medication, no contraception usage and longer marital duration were significantly related with a lower FSFI score. Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed the significance in degrees of sexual distress (r=-.469, p=.000), sexual attitude (r=.305, p=.000) and a stressful life event (r=-.141, p=.038) with the sexual function index score. CONCLUSION: Women with sexual dysfunction should be evaluated for these sexual function-related factors in the history taking, and this data can be a basis for study for sexual dysfunction.