Impact of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer on the Sexual Health of the Couple

The efficacy of treatment for cervical uterine cancer (CUca) results in increased survival for women, but with significant side effects that affect the quality of marital sex life. Objective: to explore the evolution and impact of the diagnosis and treatment of the CUca in the couple´s sexual health, from the woman´s point of view. Methodology: qualitative, multicenter, descriptive, and interpretative study in 17 women affected by the disease. Results: 5 dimensions emerge, sexual accompaniment of the couple, contagion, infidelity and promiscuity, desire of not having a partner, to please the partner and infidelity or abandonment by the partner. Women value the effective sexual accompaniment of their partners; they are clear that they have caught the cancer through sexual intercourse, and they are afraid of getting it again. Being alone emerges as an option to be safe and calm. Those who fear infidelity and abandonment, assume dyspareunia despite the lack of desire and sexual enjoyment, even accepting the use of noncoital alternatives to sexually satisfy their partners. Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of the CUca impacts the sexual health of the couple that requires advice and support to adapt to the physical and/or emotional changes that the disease entails.