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Cancer, Intimacy
and Sexuality
A Practical Approach
In Honor of
Hilde de Vocht
Yacov Reisman
Woet L. Gianotten
Editors
123
Cancer, Intimacy and Sexuality
Yacov Reisman • Woet L. Gianotten
Editors
1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
2 Awareness and Paying Attention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
3 The Value of Paying Attention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
4 Relevant Aspects of Sexuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Woet L. Gianotten and Yacov Reisman
5 The Various Levels of Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Woet L. Gianotten
6 A Comprehensive Guideline on Sexual Care in Case of Cancer . . . . . . 37
Pierre Bondil
7 Training in Oncosexology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Woet L. Gianotten and Yacov Reisman
8 Sexual Consequences of the Various Process Phases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Woet L. Gianotten and Yacov Reisman
9 Psychosexual Consequences of Cancer Diagnosis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Sandra Vilarinho and Graça Santos
10 Sexual Consequences of Pelvic Radiotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Luca Incrocci
11 Sexual Consequences of Chemotherapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Erika Limoncin, Daniele Mollaioli, Giacomo Ciocca, Giovanni Luca
Gravina, and Emmanuele A. Jannini
12 The Sexual Consequences of Cancer Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Marjan Traa, Harm Rutten, and Brenda den Oudsten
v
vi Contents
The last chapter of this book is on ‘Sexuality and Intimacy at the End of Life’.
This chapter was written by Hilde de Vocht, a bright and courageous woman.
As a psychologist and lecturer in nursing education, Hilde learned about the
professional care to address sexuality, especially in palliative and terminal (end of
life) care.
That became a major line of attention in her daily teaching and in her research at
the Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
In 2011 her thesis was on ‘Sexuality and Intimacy in Cancer and Palliative Care
in the Netherlands: A hermeneutic Study’.
Hilde was one of the very few people in the world who dared to approach the
sensitive area, where the taboos of cancer, sexuality and death come together.
After having devoted a big part of her career and her life to learning and teaching
how to deal with death, she suddenly was at the other end of the care spectrum.
Shortly after finishing her chapter for this book, Hilde became ill and was found
to have an aggressive form of cancer.
She approached that process with a lightness of being that has impressed many
in her surroundings.
The way she made her final journey was another vivid lesson for the living.
ix
Introduction
1
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
With the emergence of advanced treatment modalities for cancer, the survival rate
of cancer patients has increased, often leading to long-term survival. Many types of
cancer have gradually evolved from an acute to a chronic disease, and, with the
population growing older, the number of cancer survivors in the population is con-
stantly increasing. The cancer as disease, the diagnosis, and the therapies, they all
can have a negative effect on the quality of life on both the patient and the partner
(and also of other family members). The impact of those various elements of the
cancer process tends to cause a decline in the patients’ level of functioning and on
their ability to maintain intimacy and a healthy sex life with their partner. On the
patients’ part, this will go on for many years even after the cancer treatment has
come to an end. In oncology this evolution has created a shift in focus from cure and
survival to care and improving quality of life.
Sexual dysfunctions are identified among the majority of oncology patients, par-
ticularly those with gynaecological and urological cancers. Studies have shown that
at least 35–50 % of cancer survivors may experience sexual dysfunction as a conse-
quence of the treatment. Although sexual problems are common among cancer
patients, very little professional and therapeutic attention is paid to that aspect of
their life. Cancer patients clearly report that they would welcome information about
sexual matters. They report feelings of abandonment and not being taken seriously.
More so, the patients usually neither receive adequate information regarding the
sexual difficulties they can develop through the cancer treatment strategies nor
regarding possible treatments when sexual difficulties develop. Nowadays, health-
care professionals are increasingly confronted with questions regarding long-term
Y. Reisman (*)
Amstelland Hospital, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
e-mail: uro.amsterdam@gmail.com
W.L. Gianotten (*)
Rehabilitation Centre De Trappenberg, Huizen, The Netherlands
e-mail: woetgia@ziggo.nl
survival, but also regarding physical, emotional, and sexual side effects of cancer
and its treatment. So, talking about ‘survival’ has been and still is the oncology
game with sexuality and intimacy not seen in the same league as survival.
The importance of addressing these side effects has caused a significant growth
of psycho-oncological expertise. However, while attention to psychosocial effects
of cancer and cancer treatment is generally accepted, discussing sexual conse-
quences of cancer in the field of oncological care is still warranted and has only
recently been recognized. This recognition has resulted in the emergence of a new
discipline called oncosexology.
The oncosexology intervention system encompasses a team of multidisciplinary
professionals (physicians, psychologists, social workers, couple therapists and sex-
ologists, oncology nurses, etc.), who together provide to the cancer patients and their
partners up-to-date information and at a later stage adequate therapy focusing on
their sexual and relational needs. It is possible to have a satisfying relationship and
sex life even after these have considerably changed as consequence of cancer, but it
requires adaptation of precancer patterns and acceptance and support by the partner.
In the development of a sound oncosexological line of care, one has to distin-
guish between what the patient needs and what the professional needs. Whereas the
patient needs attention for intimacy and sexuality and the right approach to the vari-
ous disturbances, the professional needs the knowledge and skills to properly
inquire about changes. The professional should also be able to educate and inform
about possible sexual side effects of cancer and treatment and also be able to deal
with disturbances of sexual function, sexual identity, and sexual relationship.
Unfortunately there is no official training in this new area of medicine and sexology.
Teaching and training of those skills fits very well in the biopsychosocial approach.
Even when caused by a biological factor (as is the case in cancer and cancer treat-
ment), in all sexual and intimacy issues, always many psychological issues, social
constructions, relationship issues, satisfaction aspects and context are involved.
Next to dealing with the cancer, the healthcare provider needs as well some addi-
tional skills. One of them is the competence to optimally deal with a variable level
of sexual openness to their patients but also to their direct colleagues and the com-
petence to easily and openly cooperate with professionals of other disciplines.
We believe that in good cancer care the topic of sexuality and intimacy should be
effectively addressed. Problems in this field should be taken seriously and handled
professionally, and, when necessary, the patients or the couple should be referred to a
colleague with oncosexological expertise. Addressing the issue of sexuality and giving
the proper information require a mindset with the right attitude and skills where much
can be done already with a limited amount of knowledge. This new field of oncosexol-
ogy is still lacking sound scientific evidence for many of the used therapeutic modali-
ties. Many of them have been adapted from physical rehabilitation sexology.
In front of you is, to our knowledge, the first practical book on oncosexology.
Because of the lack of practical knowledge and training, we decided to focus on
practical knowledge and skills. We avoid as much as possible epidemiological data
or extensive background information. We aim to give the reader information which
could be used in the daily oncology practice. In our opinion, this book can be a
1 Introduction 3
valuable source of information for various professionals, from the fields of oncol-
ogy, general medical practice, and psychosocial practice and also from the fields of
sexology, sexual health, and sexual medicine.
Diversity is a major “mantra” when dealing with sexuality and sexual medicine.
In the development of this book, time and again we were confronted with diversity
and differences. That made us aware of an important message to the reader of this
book: There is no “one size fits all!” Let’s mention and explain some of the relevant
diversities:
• Patients: Some are young and some are old, some single, and some already 45
years married; some are gay and many are hetero; some nearly never think about
sexuality, and for some others sexuality is a major element in their quality of life.
• Partners: Some who cannot handle the stress of what happens in their life and
some who positively grow into a new role as a very good partner.
• Cancers: Some cancers are far away from the sexual machinery, and some are
localized in the genital organs; some have a good prognosis, and some immedi-
ately send people toward the end of life.
• Cancer incidence: Some cancers are seen seldom and others happen frequently.
And let’s face reality: The same cancer can have a very different incidence in
another country. Comparing incidence rates in various European countries gives
some rather shocking data [1]. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000
differs, for instance, for breast cancer from 49 in one country to 148 in another
European country; for prostate cancer, it ranges from 25 to 193; and for colorec-
tal cancer, from 13 to 92.
• Treatments: Some treatments barely influence sexual quality of life and some
others are real joy-killers.
• Professional approach: It is tempting to address the differences between the good
and the bad professionals. But let’s focus on the good ones. There are the techni-
cal professionals who excel in surgery, and there are the psychosocial ones who
excel in reassuring the patients with their fears and worries. Besides, they all
have their cultural luggage. The communication skills we have learned from the
medical curriculum in our own country is found to be different from that of
another country even among countries that seem rather the same [2].
• Culture: Even when we only focus on Europe or on the countries of the European
Community (EU 27), there are great differences, for instance, on the insurance
systems, the approach to euthanasia, the openness to nonmainstream orientation,
the acceptance of medical marihuana use, the general practitioner as gatekeeper
to the medical system, etc. We all have to deal with the reality of the society we
are living in.
• The authors of this book: They form a group with a wide diversity in specialties,
approaches, and expertise. Next to that, they are from 14 different countries.
When selecting the authors, we had kind of a predominantly European perspec-
tive in mind, vaguely with an illusion of European uniformity. Let’s leave it to
the readers to decide if we succeeded in selecting a valuable stew of information,
attitude, skills, and advocacy.
4 Y. Reisman and W.L. Gianotten
• The readers of this book: Their diversity was a challenge for editors and authors.
Some readers will have been brought up in oncology. They should be aware that
the typical cancer information is intended more for the noncancer professionals.
On the other hand, we recommend the readers who are rooted in sexology or
sexual medicine not to browse too much on the sexology-specific information,
because that information is more geared toward the non-sexuality professionals.
We are very grateful to the authors of the different chapters, who have contrib-
uted with their expertise and intellect and who provide the best possible practical
content. We hope that you, the reader, will find this book informative and useful and
that you’ll enjoy reading it.
The structure of this book is built upon five pillars.
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 will offer some general starting ideas. It will
address aspects of paying attention, the why and
how of sexuality (included sexual function),
a general look at sexual disturbances due to
cancer treatment (sexual dysfunctions), a formal
structure for oncosexological care, and training
aspects for professionals who have to deal
with the topic of sexuality and intimacy.
Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 takes a look at the consequences on sexuality
and intimacy after the cancer diagnosis and after
the major treatment strategies (radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, surgery, and medication).
Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, informs about aspects of sexual change in nine
and 23 different cancers. These are the ones most clearly
known to have much influence on sexuality
and intimacy.
Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 deals with various treatment strategies for sexual
disturbances, focusing on rehabilitation aspects
from the perspective of the couple relationship,
of the male patient, and of the female patient
and finally on the use of sexual tools, toys, and
additions.
Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 highlights five special groups and situations:
attention for the partner, for the very young with
cancer, for the senior cancer patients, for the
couples with a nonmainstream orientation, and
for aspects of sexuality in the end of life phase.
References
1. Ferlay J, Steliarova-Foucher E, Lortet-Tieulent J, et al. Cancer incidence and mortality patterns
in Europe: estimates for 40 countries in 2012. Eur J Cancer. 2013;49:1374–403.
2. Meeuwesen L, van den Brink-Muinen A, Hofstede G. Can dimensions of national culture pre-
dict cross-national differences in medical communication? Patient Educ Couns.
2009;75:58–66.
Awareness and Paying Attention
2
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
As stated in the introduction, this book consists of five parts each covering a different
area. In this first part, we will start with some basic information before we will dive
into the sexual consequences of various treatments (in Chaps. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and
13) and of the various cancers (in Chaps. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23).
This first part with chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 focuses on different aspects of paying
attention to sexuality. It will also deal with some relevant aspects of sexuality and
how cancer can impact. And it will give some information on the structure of care
and on the process of training on how to professionally deal with the topic of sexual-
ity in our daily care.
Chapter 3 will deal with the value of paying attention. Why is it so difficult to address this
topic? We’ll look into the underlying taboos among the professionals and the
patients. Paying attention is relevant because sexuality and intimacy are so
frequently damaged by cancer and its treatment. Since sexuality and intimacy
are relevant factors for quality of life, attention for those areas is an integral
part of good care. But also because much of the damage is caused by our
interventions and treatments, so in some way we are responsible to deal well
with those side effects.
This chapter will also give some explanation on why people have sex,
highlighting some of the direct benefits of sexual expression that can
favour care with even some elements of cure.
Y. Reisman (*)
Amstelland Hospital, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
e-mail: uro.amsterdam@gmail.com
W.L. Gianotten
Rehabilitation Centre De Trappenberg, Huizen, The Netherlands
Chapter 4 will give in a nutshell information on some relevant aspects of sexuality. It will
deal with sexual function (the sexual response with desire, arousal and orgasm)
and with some general information on sexual dysfunctions.
It will also address some of the relevant differences between the (average)
female and the (average) male. Many of the sexual disturbances between
male and female are (at least partly) the result of misunderstanding differences
and miscommunication.
Chapter 5 will deal with the relation between on the one hand the cancer and its treatment
and on the other hand the impact on sexuality and intimacy. Whereas many
professionals have been educated with the principles of a biopsychosocial
(or biopsychosociocultural) approach, we here use another paradigm. Sexuality
is composed of three important elements: sexual function, sexual identity and
sexual relationship. Knowing that cancer and its treatment can cause sexual
disturbances, we believe that in proper care we should inquire about the
influence on function, identity and relationship. We recommend to do this
inquiring proactively, knowing that the patients themselves are scared to bring
up the topic.
In the process of sex and lovemaking, it is not only the genitals that have a role.
Many other parts of the body are used as ‘sexual equipment’ and can also be
damaged. Since that is rarely mentioned, it will get extra attention in this chapter.
Chapter 6 will approach the area from a totally different perspective. In France, they
have started to develop a clinical practical guideline completely devoted to
sexuality after cancer. This guideline with standards of care describes various
practical questions as ‘For whom?’, ‘Which cancers?’, ‘Who should speak
about it?’ and ‘When and how to speak about it? and also about the role
of oncosexology. This chapter has extra value for health-care managers
who have to think about and deal with the structure of care.
Chapter 7 is about training. In the context of this book, training is in particular
intended for the professionals who are not rooted in sexology and who don’t
feel at ease in discussing sexual function or who don’t feel at ease in dealing
with intimacy.
Whereas teaching can be seen as lecturing on knowledge, training is much more.
Good training offers a mixture of teaching knowledge, allowing space for
necessary attitudinal change, improving practical skills (here especially to
proactively discuss sexuality) and building competence (incorporating the
newly learned capacities with the right attitude in daily practice).
The Value of Paying Attention
3
Yacov Reisman and Woet L. Gianotten
3.1 Introduction
Y. Reisman (*)
Amstelland Hospital, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
e-mail: uro.amsterdam@gmail.com
W.L. Gianotten (*)
Rehabilitation Centre De Trappenberg, Huizen, The Netherlands
e-mail: woetgia@ziggo.nl
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017 7
Y. Reisman, W.L. Gianotten (eds.), Cancer, Intimacy and Sexuality,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-43193-2_3
8 Y. Reisman and W.L. Gianotten
disturbing for impaired sexual function are hormonal therapy and strategies that
involve the pelvic organs. But depression and anxiety, which are common in cancer
survivors, can also contribute to sexual problems. Such developing disturbances of
sexuality and intimacy can cause increased distress and have a significant negative
impact on quality of life of the patient and the partner.
In comparison to other areas of adjustment after illness, the recovery of sexuality may
be hampered by the fact that most patients and partners find it difficult to talk openly
about sex. But there is also a lack of professional attention on the topics of sexuality and
intimacy, which is partially based on the general taboo surrounding sexuality [2].
In spite of the many questions and concerns about their sexuality, the majority of patients
find it difficult to raise the subject with their health care providers. The health care pro-
viders in their turn are reluctant to talk about this subject, even when they are aware that
their medical interventions seriously interrupt the sexual function and pleasure.
What are the reasons that both parties do not to discuss sexuality? At least one
explanation unconsciously resonates in all parties (society, patients, and profession-
als) – the persistent message that sex is for the young, the healthy, and the beautiful.
3.2.1 Professionals
There are several explanations for professional reluctance. Lack of knowledge is one.
Whereas in some Western countries sexuality or sexology has been part of the curricu-
lum in the vocational training of health care professionals, other countries completely
lack such training. However, having knowledge alone is not enough, since one needs
the skills as well to address a subject that is fraught with many emotions. Some pro-
fessionals fear that they will offend patients by asking questions that are too intimate,
which is in itself surprising since the daily practice of medical professionals is full of
intimate requests and questions (“Can you take off your underpants!”, etc.).
Some are scared to ask because they do not know how to react upon the answer
(“Imagine that there is a problem! Then I don’t know what next to do!”)
Some professionals do not consider discussing sexual disturbances with their
patients as their responsibility. And maybe the most common argument is the
assumption that patients who have a specific concern about sexuality will raise the
topic by themselves. We can be rather clear about that. Time and again it has been
shown that it does not work this way.
3.2.2 Patients
The vast majority of patients and partners also do not feel at ease to bring up such a
sensitive topic themselves, even when their sexuality is seriously disturbed. Some are
3 The Value of Paying Attention 9
not sure whether seeking attention with regard to sexuality would be appropriate
(“Shouldn’t I be happy that I am still alive!”). They can be embarrassed to talk about
sexuality because sex seems so insignificant in the face of death, or they even feel
ashamed to have sexual feelings when so threatened by cancer. Others do not want to
disturb the health care providers, who have done their very best to treat the patient well.
Some patients and partners seem also hampered by the idea that sexual problems
do not exist in a good relationship. That is one reason why we do not ask: “Do you
have a sexual problem?” (and why inquiring about changes in sexual function usu-
ally causes less confusion).
For many women and men, it is in some way difficult to share with a third party
information that belongs to the most intimate aspects of their relationship, irrespec-
tive of having a sexual disturbance and independent of the wish to have their sexual
disturbance discussed and solved.
There can also be some breach of intimacy. Even in very good relationships, it is
not always natural to share with each other the deeper sexual feelings and fears.
That is sometimes seen when the health care provider inquires about sexuality. Then
the patients sometimes respond with “No problem!.” But after having talked at
home with their partners, patients are more amenable on subsequent follow-ups and
clearly want to talk about their disturbances and worries.
For many patients, sexuality is an important subject that adds to their quality of life.
Patients and their partners want to get information regarding the effects of the ill-
ness and the treatment on various aspects of their lives and also regarding the effects
on sexuality.
As mentioned before, they hope and expect that the health care professionals will
initiate this conversation.
Time and again many patients are disappointed in their health care professionals
because they received little information, support, and practical suggestions regard-
ing the sexual and intimate changes they experienced in the face of cancer. Although
nowadays many professionals are well aware that in case of cancer the topic of
sexuality and intimacy truly deserves attention, this is not implemented in their
daily practice.
The main focus of this chapter is on the “Why” of paying attention. Most prob-
lems in health care need attention and usually there is no chapter in books that
specifically addresses “paying attention.” So, what makes the topic of sexuality and
intimacy so special?
On the one hand, there are patients who bring up the topic of a sexual distur-
bance. Just as with any other problem, they deserve proper attention and if possible
a solution. The subject of sexual disturbance perhaps differs from other problems in
that the topic and discussion, as well as the solutions, could be more “charged.”
But it is obvious that even with serious sexual disturbances, and even when there
is a real desire to be helped, the majority of patients and couples will not freely
10 Y. Reisman and W.L. Gianotten
bring up their questions, their worries, and their disturbances in the area of sexuality
and intimacy.
So WE have to do that!
We will divide the arguments to do so in three different groups of benefits (or
potential benefits):
For most people, sexuality is a relevant aspect of their quality of life and a central
aspect of their well-being. As defined by the World Health Organization and sup-
ported by research, sexuality is one of the major components that contribute to a
sense of fulfilled life. Strangely, this needs to be noted and proven by research. Does
not everybody know so? Apparently not! We suppose that some professionals have
different ideas resulting from negative messages from culture, religion, or education
or even due to their own negative sexual experiences.
When people get into the cancer process, sexuality and intimacy frequently are
disturbed, which brings down their quality of life (and also that of the partner).
Paying attention to quality of life is an important aspect of good care.
After cancer, many of the sexual dysfunctions and disturbances are not the results
of the cancer itself but of our medical interventions. Being responsible for the col-
lateral damage of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and medication makes us
also responsible for dealing with those sexual side effects.
Attention can be as well important for sexual identity. Patients (and partners)
who were in the terminal stage of cancer were asked about sexuality and intimacy.
Part of the questions was on how they experienced these inquiries. Surprisingly,
they all were happy with that attention. What does that mean? By this question the
patients apparently felt that they still were seen as alive, as man or woman, or as a
sexual being. So, whereas many professionals are scared that inquiring about sexual
matters is too intrusive, the opposite is true.
Sexual relationship is the other area that could benefit from adequate attention.
As a result of cancer, between 7 and 22 % of couples separate [3]. In the great major-
ity, this relates to couples where the woman has the cancer and the man is the carer.
We suppose that many of those relationship disturbances are caused by their not
being able to deal with the sexual unavailability of the female patient. Separated
(single) patients fare more poorly with more antidepressant use, more hospitaliza-
tion, and less dying at home.
A more relaxed patient and a more relaxed relationship most probably will ben-
efit the recovery and the healing process.
3 The Value of Paying Attention 11
For a very long time, society and the medical community tended to consider sex as a
dangerous aspect of life. Only rather recently are we learning about the health ben-
efits of sexual expression [4, 5]. Here we will leave the emotional and social health
benefits and limit ourselves to the physical health benefits. With regard to the cancer
patient’s process, we abstain here also from addressing the long-term benefits (like
less cardiovascular and cerebrovascular incidents, fewer prostate cancers, and better
longevity).
What remains are the direct physical benefits that sometimes can be proactively
put into action. The following are the most important benefits:
When relevant, sharing such information with our patients could be seen as good
care. Furthermore, there appear some indications that sex can also have neuropro-
tective effects [6].
There is a fascinating change between the original fear on the part of many health
care professionals when they consider addressing sexuality and the actual practice
when they have done so.
Initially, professionals are frequently afraid that their questions are “too inti-
mate.” This is surprising since they ask, for example, without any inhibition: “Take
off your pants!” or “Can you open your legs!” or “What is the color of your stool?”
12 Y. Reisman and W.L. Gianotten
3.7 How
The care for cancer covers a long process with many phases like diagnosis, treat-
ment, recovery, and sometimes a palliative or terminal stage. In addition, patients
(and couples) should be asked about their sexual function at regular intervals. One
reason for repeating the inquiring is because different process phases can be accom-
panied by different sexual side effects. But also because different patients (and part-
ners) can react in different ways during the process, depending on the meaning of
the various elements of sexual response, sexual expression, and intimacy for each of
the partners and for the couple.
Will “repeated inquiring” not lead to “sexological overkill”?
That depends on how it is integrated in the total questioning. It can be very help-
ful to develop a routine where sexuality has a fixed place in the list of areas to be
questioned (for instance, always after questions on fatigue and mood).
It depends also on how questions on sexuality and intimacy are introduced. Both
at the start and at the repeating. Let us give an example of the start:
We know that a substantial amount of people with your type of cancer and
your type of treatment is confronted with changes in sexuality. Many patients
will lose sexual desire and many men will lose their erection. That is a normal
reaction to the treatment. For some couples that is seriously disturbing,
whereas that is far less damaging for other couples. That is not better or worse.
It is the way it is. Because of those possible changes, three things are
important.
1. Now, at the beginning of the process we want to know about the baseline.
So we will ask how things are functioning at this moment, so that it will be
easier to anticipate changes.
2. We will do that regularly in the course of the treatment process, so that we
can see if, when, and how things are influenced and how to deal with that.
3. That information on sexual damage can be very scaring. However, you
should know also that we have solutions for nearly all sexual disturbances.
That is why we ask, but that it is also important for you not to keep silent
when there are questions or worries. Just tell us.
3 The Value of Paying Attention 13
Regarding the repeating, here also it is relevant to mention why things are asked.
Here is an example of the repeating:
Since you have started this medication, did that change aspects of your
sexuality? More precisely, did it influence your sexual desire? (or orgasm,
lubrication, etc.)
Inquiring regularly can be done by interview (or in case of time restriction and
difficulties, by using the Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist as a primary screening
tool) [7] (See appendix).
When a sexual dysfunction is uncovered, a first step in our approach could be
acknowledgment of the dysfunction with some explanations about the possible causes.
This is sometimes already sufficient to improve patient/partner understanding and
allow room for open communication with the professionals but also within the couple.
Open communication in its turn can lead to renegotiation about intimacy and sexuality
and it can also be the start of a process of coping with functions that are lost.
Health care providers have various options for dealing with sexual dysfunctions
and other disturbances in the area of sexuality and intimacy. Examples are:
1. Even with serious sexual disturbances, the great majority of patients and partners
do not bring up the topic of sexuality and intimacy.
2. Patients and partners are different and the various stages of the process have dif-
ferent consequences for sexuality.
3. So, there is no “one size fits all” in this area.
4. Final conclusion: WE have to address this area, we have to fine-tune the solutions to
the couple’s needs and we have to learn how to do that as effectively as possible.
3.8 Appendix
3 The Value of Paying Attention 15
References
1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. https://www.nccn.org/profes-
sionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp#supportive.
2. Carr SV. Talking about sex to oncologists and about cancer to sexologists. Sexologies.
2007;16:267–72.
3. Glantz MJ, Chamberlain MC, Liu Q, et al. Gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment
in patients with serious medical illness. Cancer. 2009;115:5237–42.
4. Whipple B, Knowles J, Davis J. The health benefits of sexual expression. In: Tepper MS,
Owens AF, editors. Sexual health, vol. 1. Westport: Psychological Foundations, Praeger; 2007.
p. 17–28.
5. Gianotten WL, Whipple B, Owens AF, et al. Sexual activity is a cornerstone of quality of life.
An update of “The health benefits of sexual expression”. In: Tepper MS, Owens AF, editors.
Sexual health, vol. 1. Westport: Psychological Foundations, Praeger; 2007. p. 28–42.
6. Spence RD, Voskuhl RR. Neuroprotective effects of estrogens and androgens in CNS inflam-
mation and neurodegeneration. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012;33:105–15.
7. Reisman Y, Porst H, Lowenstein L, et al (editors). ESSM Manual of Sexual Medicine. 2nd Edn.
Medix Amsterdam. 2015.
Relevant Aspects of Sexuality
4
Woet L. Gianotten and Yacov Reisman
4.1 Introduction
This chapter will focus on the various biological elements of sexuality and sexual
function.
We will start with some relevant male–female (M-F) differences, which is in
some way a “touchy topic,” since it is difficult to clearly distinguish the nurture
aspects (education and social impact) from the nature aspects (biology). Touchy
also because cultures tend to approach this differently with, on the one hand, some
traditional cultures where women are not seen as equal and, on the other hand, egali-
tarian cultures where every M-F difference is categorically denied.
After that we will look at the sexual response and part of the “physical condi-
tions” (such as anatomy, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.) that are needed to let the
sexual response take place. We will focus on those conditions that are relevant in the
context of cancer and its treatment.
Finally, we will change from sexual function to “sexual dysfunction” and we will
address some of the typical processes behind various sexual disturbances. Whereas
in this chapter sexual dysfunctions will be approached in a general way, the next
chapter will deal with the more typical cancer-treatment-related disturbances with
ample attention not only for sexual function but also for sexual identity and sexual
relationship as relevant pillars of sexuality.
Part of the behavior as a girl or a boy and later as a woman or a man is shaped by
the influence of parents, peers, media, and culture. Underlying these nurture ele-
ments, there is also a strong influence of nature, which starts very early in the uterus.
Without the addition of androgen hormones the fetus will develop into female
(female is the default). In case of an XY chromosomal pattern, the fetal testicle
develops and starts producing testosterone, responsible for the development of the
male genitals and for the typical male wiring in the brain. From shortly after birth till
the beginning of puberty, there are no gonadal hormones acting. In spite of that, there
are many differences in behavior when we compare boys and girls as groups. Boys
and men are relatively more function-oriented, whereas girls and women are rela-
tively more people-oriented. This is not better or worse, it simply is the way it is.
Then, when puberty commences, the gonadal hormones become active in two dif-
ferent ways. On the one hand, gonadal hormones have the “organizational” task of
guiding the ripening of the body from girl to woman and from boy to man. This task
is completed at the end of adolescence. The other is the “activational” task of orches-
trating reproduction, sexuality, and also other aspects of behavior. The same gonadal
hormones are responsible for a substantial part of (the differences between) male and
female behavior. This hormonal “activation” will continue till at an advanced age.
Estrogen and progesterone are key elements for the woman, regulating the
monthly cycle, with also influence on the mood. These two hormones more or less
disappear after the last menstruation. Women have also androgen hormones (falsely
called “male hormones”) with testosterone (T) as the main androgen. In her fertile
life, half of the androgens originate in the ovaries, the other half in the adrenal
glands. After menopause, the ovaries also gradually stop producing androgens, but
the adrenal glands continue to produce T.
In men, androgens are the key gonadal hormones, with 95 % originating from the
testicles and 5 % from the adrenal glands. Men do not have a sharp drop in hor-
mones. Till the age of 40, the T-levels are more or less stable and after that there is
an annual diminishing of 1–1.5 %.
Both in the man and in the woman, the androgen hormones have a major role in
sexual behavior with T as the number one for sexual thoughts, for sexual desire, and
for arousability, but also for some less-sexual aspects of behavior like mood and
assertiveness.
So long as men or women are in good enough health, their T-levels suffice for
sexual desire till at an advanced age. In men, the T-level is 10–15 times higher than
in females and that probably is an important part of the explanation for the differ-
ences in sexual behavior. In bed, men tend to be more focused on penetration, on
genitals, on orgasm (and on sexual performance), whereas women tend to be more
focused on relationship, intimacy, and on sensuality. The high male T-level is prob-
ably also responsible for his higher assertiveness and lower emotional sensitivity.
Another important difference is the rather even-tempered mood in most males ver-
sus the rather fluctuating mood in most women, because of hormonal changes
throughout their monthly cycle and pregnancies.
4 Relevant Aspects of Sexuality 19
To recap: (1) This is not giving a value of better or worse, and (2) these are group
observations, which neither means that all men or all women fit into this pattern, nor
does it mean that there is something wrong when they do not. Moreover, hormones
are not the only determinants for the above-mentioned aspects, as our culture, edu-
cation, upbringing, norms, and values have also important influence.
Sexual response (or sexual function) is the potency of the sexual machinery. It is a
series of emotional and physical changes that occur when a person becomes sexu-
ally aroused and engages in sexually stimulating activities including intercourse and
masturbation. In a simplified version we tend to say that there are three phases:
sexual desire, sexual arousal, and orgasm. Originally, they were described as fol-
lowing each other in this order. That is what happens in many men. If not slowed
down by the partner, many men tend to continue more or less as in a linear process
from desire to arousal (horny and erection) and then orgasm/ejaculation as the
rounding off. For many women it is rather different, as is seen especially in longer-
standing heterosexual relationships. A common scenario is as follows: the man
(with his higher T-level and accordingly more sexual desire) initiates erotic contact.
The woman is not (yet) in the mood. When the man plays it well and pleases her
enough, she will develop sexual excitement before achieving sexual desire. The
“last” step of orgasm is also different for many women. Depending on mood and
context of the moment she may like to have an orgasm, but many women can have
full sexual satisfaction without having had an orgasm. This is difficult for many
men, since their “function-oriented perspective” in some ways seems to dictate that
his partner should have an orgasm. Combined with lack of good communication,
this appears to be one of the reasons why some women fake an orgasm.
Context plays an important role in what will or will not happen, and this is far
more relevant in women than in men.
We will discuss each of the three phases with special attention to the perspective
of the cancer patient.
Although often called “butterflies in the belly,” sexual desire is situated in the brain.
This part of sexuality is strongly guided by androgen hormones. In the upper range of
serum concentration, the level of testosterone is said not to really correspond with the
level of sexual desire. However, in the lower range (as regularly found after cancer
treatment) T seems to be a very relevant element for sexual desire. There is much vari-
ety in desire. Proactive (or “spontaneous”) desire is the common pattern in about 75 %
of men and in 15 % of women. Responsive desire is the common pattern in 5 % of men
and in 30 % of women. Others will have mixed patterns and some 6 % of the women
lack both spontaneous and responsive desire (existing independent of cancer) [1].
20 W.L. Gianotten and Y. Reisman
During the majority of time neither man nor women have sexual desire. The context
should be good enough and they should be receptive in order to get “in the mood.” For
this process a minimum amount of androgens seems necessary. Desire is also depen-
dent on the neurotransmitter balance (with dopamine as desire-increasing factor and
serotonin as desire-diminisher). Another relevant physical factor (or condition) for
desire is energy. Next, one needs sufficient stimuli to get into the sexual mood. Here we
see also male–female differences. Whereas for women relational stimuli are relatively
more important, visual stimuli are far more relevant for both mainstream and gay men.
The major physical conditions for orgasm are intact nerves and a proper neurotrans-
mitter balance. And, of course, proper stimulation.
In orgasm, there are also clear differences between the male and the female. Male:
For many males, orgasm and ejaculation are experienced as the same. Whereas they
4 Relevant Aspects of Sexuality 21
always coincide in ±96 % of the men, the other 4 % of men have learned to have an
orgasm without ejaculation (and they can have that several times consecutively).
After ejaculation, the man enters a refractory period (“falling in the black hole”).
His system has to be “reset,” which can take 15 min in a young man and up to a full
day in an aged man.
Female: Most women do not have such a refractory period. Besides, women can have
orgasm in more different ways. Roughly, 90 % of the women can have an orgasm via
stimulation of the clitoris; 25–35 % via stimulation (tapping the cervix and anterior
vaginal wall) during penetration; some via fantasy only or via breast stimulation
only. At least half of the women can have more than one orgasm in a row.
4.5 Androgens/Testosterone
In the context of this book, the role of androgens deserves extra attention because
androgen levels are frequently disturbed by various cancer treatment strategies.
Androgen deprivation treatment (ADT) for prostate cancer is a chemical way of castra-
tion. Whereas in ADT the castration is intended, most castration is an unintended side
effect of treatment. That is the case in nearly all gynaecological cancers because surgi-
cal removal of the ovaries is part of the treatment. Total body irradiation and radio-
therapy in the pelvic area can cause ovarian damage and testicular damage with
permanent or temporary hypogonadism. This can happen also after extensive chemo-
therapy, as happens for instance in ovarian cancer and in blood and lymph cancer before
stem cell transplantation. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also affect the adrenals,
which during the woman’s fertile life are responsible for 50 % of her androgens.
Hypogonadism can also be found after high dose of opioids. Hypogonadism is
the condition with too low gonadal hormones (testosterone).
Androgens are not only needed for sexual desire and arousability. They have
many different functions. A substantial shortage of testosterone can be accompa-
nied by a decrease in or loss of:
• Sexual desire
• Arousability (no more becoming horny)
• The ability and strength of orgasm (especially in women)
• Genital sexual sensations (“It is like dead flesh”)
• Spontaneous and sex-related erections
• Muscular strength (stamina)
• Bone density and muscle mass
• Mood
In discussing desire, one has to acknowledge the importance of context. During the
major part of the day, people have no sexual desire. Then, when one of a couple gets
in the mood and invites action, the other is not always ready (or not yet ready) for
action. This does not mean there is a desire problem. We should differentiate
between sexual aversion (“I really don’t want to be involved”) and absence of desire
(or no desire). The latter situation is very common in many situations of daily life.
Clear examples are seen in mothers with young children.
Absence of sexual desire is normal when testosterone (T) has diminished. Several
reasons for hypogonadism have been mentioned above.
Another reason for low desire is fatigue, a common complaint in many cancer
patients. Fatigue can also be “caused” by low T. When faced with the combination
of chronic fatigue and low sexual desire (as for instance frequently found after treat-
ment for blood/lymph cancer) we should also consider lowered T as one of the
causing factors, especially in persons who formerly experienced good desire.
Absence of proactive sexual desire can also be the side effect of neurotransmitter-
influencing medication. Especially, SSRI and SNRI antidepressants are known to nega-
tively influence sexual desire (and as a matter of fact, also the other phases of the sexual
response). The group of paroxetin, citalopram, and venlafaxin (together representing
more than half of all outpatient antidepressant prescriptions in many Western European
countries) is known to negatively influence sexual desire in >60 % of patients [2].
Besides these physical killjoys, there are also emotional reasons. In a large meta-
analysis, 38.2 % of cancer patients were found to suffer from depression, anxiety,
adjustment disorder, or dysthymia [3]. These conditions will diminish desire for the
majority of patients (although a small number of persons desire more sex when they
get depressed).
The changed social situation can be another reason for low sexual desire. The part-
ner will change as well. On the one hand, the diagnosis is a major life event accompa-
nied by fear of loss. On the other hand, the caring role and taking over of many tasks
that formerly were done by the patient can cause serious fatigue, leading to an absence
of sexual initiative or seduction also from the partner’s side.
Arousability is a first condition for real arousal. Without sufficient androgens one
cannot become “horny.” With regard to genital arousal problems there is a big dif-
ference between male and female. One could suspect that side effects of disease and
Another random document with
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The Alabama Claims.
During this year the long disputed Alabama Claims of the United
States against Great Britain, arising from the depredations of the
Anglo-rebel privateers, built and fitted out in British waters, were
referred by the Treaty of Washington, dated May 8th, 1871, to
arbitrators, and this was the first and most signal triumph of the plan
of arbitration, so far as the Government of the United States was
concerned. The arbitrators were appointed, at the invitation of the
governments of Great Britain and the United States, from these
powers, and from Brazil, Italy, and Switzerland. On September 14th,
1872, they gave to the United States gross damages to the amount of
$15,500,000, an amount which has subsequently proved to be really
in excess of the demands of merchants and others claiming the loss
of property through the depredations of the rebel ram Alabama and
other rebel privateers. We append a list of the representatives of the
several governments:
Arbitrator on the part of the United States—Charles Francis
Adams.
Arbitrator on the part of Great Britain—The Right Honorable Sir
Alexander Cockburn, Baronet, Lord Chief Justice of England.
Arbitrator on the part of Italy—His Excellency Senator Count
Sclopis.
Arbitrator on the part of Switzerland—Mr. Jacob Stampfli.
Arbitrator on the part of Brazil—Baron D’Itajuba.
Agent on the part of the United States—J. C. Bancroft Davis.
Agent on the part of Great Britain—Right Honorable Lord
Tenterden.
Counsel for the United States—Caleb Cushing, William M.
Evarts, Morrison R. Waite.
Counsel for Great Britain—Sir Roundell Palmer.
Solicitor for the United States—Charles C. Beaman, Jr.
The Force Bill.
The first regular session of the 42d Congress met Dec. 4th, 1871.
The Democrats consumed much of the time in efforts to pass bills to
remove the political disabilities of former Southern rebels, and they
were materially aided by the editorials of Horace Greeley, in the New
York Tribune, which had long contended for universal amnesty. At
this session all such efforts were defeated by the Republicans, who
invariably amended such propositions by adding Sumner’s
Supplementary Civil Rights Bill, which was intended to prevent any
discrimination against colored persons by common carriers, hotels,
or other chartered or licensed servants. The Amnesty Bill, however
was passed May 22d, 1872, after an agreement to exclude from its
provisions all who held the higher military and civic positions under
the Confederacy—in all about 350 persons. The following is a copy:
Be it enacted, etc., (two-thirds of each House concurring therein,)
That all legal and political disabilities imposed by the third section of
the fourteenth article of the amendments of the Constitution of the
United States are hereby removed from all persons whomsoever,
except Senators and Representatives of the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-
seventh Congress, officers in the judicial, military, and naval service
of the United States, heads of Departments, and foreign ministers of
the United States.
Subsequently many acts removing the disabilities of all excepted
(save Jefferson Davis) from the provisions of the above, were passed.
The Liberal Republicans.