Skip to main content

The Impact of Cancer on the Partner’s Sexuality

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Urology ((CCU))

Abstract

Sexual interaction between two individuals may lead to satisfaction, joy and a sense of intimacy, or it may lead to frustration, pain and alienation. Intact sexual function is by no means a guarantee of emotional satisfaction [1] but may increase the likelihood chances of positive outcomes in most cases. On the other hand, sexual dysfunction typically leads to negative consequences for the partner. In fact, the very expression of sexual function usually implies the presence or participation of a partner, although sometimes the partner is present only in fantasy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Dundon CM, Rellini AH. More than sexual function: predictors of sexual satisfaction in a sample of women age 40–70. J Sex Med. 2010;7:896–904.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. McCabe M, Althof SE, Assalian P, Chevret-Measson M, Leiblum SR, Simonelli C, et al. Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunctions. J Sex Med. 2010;7:327–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dean J, Rubio-Aurioles E, McCabe M, Eardley I, Speakman M, Buvat J, et al. Integrating partners into erectile dysfunction treatment: improving the sexual experience for the couple. Int J Clin Pract. 2008;62:127–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Pitceathly C, Maguire P. The psychological impact of cancer on patients’ partners and other key relatives: a review. Eur J Cancer. 2003;39:1517–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hawkins Y, Ussher J, Gilbert E, Perz J, Sandoval M, Sundquist K. Changes in sexuality and intimacy after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer: the experience of partners in a sexual relationship with a person with cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2009 Jul-Aug;32(4):271–80.

    Google Scholar 

  6. World Health Organization. Defining sexual health: report of a technical consultation on sexual health, 28–31. January 2002, Geneva 2006. Who Press Geneva, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bertalanffy L. General system theory: foundations, development, applications. New York: George Braziller; 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Rubio-Aurioles E. Educación de la Sexualidad y Retraso Mental. Bogotá: Comité Regional de Educación Sexual para América Latina y el Caribe; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rubio-Aurioles E. Teoría general del sistema y terapia sexual. Rev Res Psiquiatr. 1992;3(4):5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Rubio-Aurioles E. Introducción al estudio de la Sexualidad Humana. en Consejo Nacional de Población Antología de la Sexualidad Humana. Tomo I. 1994.Consejo Nacional de Población-Miguel Angel Porrua. Mexico.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rubio-Aurioles E. Visión Panorámica de la Sexualidad Humana. Rev Latinoamericana Sexol. 1996;11(2):139–53.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Fisher WA, Rosen RC, Eardley I, Sand M, Goldstein I. Sexual experience of female partners of men with erectile dysfunction: the female experience of men’s attitudes to life events and sexuality (FEMALES) study. J Sex Med. 2005;2:675–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Fisher WA, Eardley I, McCabe M, Sand M. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a shared sexual concern of couples I: couple conceptions of ED. J Sex Med. 2009;6:2746–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rubio-Aurioles E, Sand M, Terrein-Roccatti N, Dean J, Longworth J, Eardley I, et al. Female assessment of male erectile dysfunction detection scale (FAME): development and validation. J Sex Med. 2009;6:2255–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Goldstein I, Fisher WA, Sand M, Rosen RC, Mollen M, Brock G, et al. Women’s sexual function improves when partners are administered vardenafil for erectile dysfunction: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Sex Med. 2005;2:819–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Rubio-Aurioles E, Kim ED, Rosen RC, Porst H, Burns P, Zeigler H, et al. Impact on erectile function and sexual quality of life of couples: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of tadalafil taken once daily. J Sex Med. 2009;6:1314–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Heiman J, Talley D, Bailen J, Oskin T, Rosenberg S, Pace C, et al. Sexual function and satisfaction in heterosexual couples when men are administered sildenafil citrate (Viagra(R)) for erectile dysfunction: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;114(4):437–47.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Chevret-Méasson M, Lavallée E, Troy S, Arnould B, Oudin S, Cuzin B. Improvement in quality of sexual life in female partners of men with erectile dysfunction treated with sildenafil citrate: findings of the index of sexual life (ISL) in a couple study. J Sex Med. 2009;6:761–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hobbs K, Symonds T, Abraham L, May K, Morris MF. Sexual dysfunction in partners of men with premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:512–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rosen RC, Althof S. Impact of premature ejaculation: the psychological, quality of life and sexual relationship consequences. J Sex Med. 2008;5:1296–307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Greenan DE, Tunnel G. Couple therapy with gay men. New York: Guilford Press; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Brown LS. Therapy with same-sex couples: an introduction. In: Jacobson NS, Gurman AS, editors. Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York: Guilford Press; 1995. p. 274–91.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Masters WH, Johnson VE. The pleasure bond. New York: Bantam Books; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Witting K, Santtila P, Varjonen M, Jern P, Johansson A, von der Pahlen B, et al. Female sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and compatibility with partner. J Sex Med. 2008;5:2587–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nichols M. The treatment of inhibited sexual desire (ISD) in lesbian couples. Women Ther. 1983;1(4):49–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Nichols M. Sexual desire disorder in a lesbian-feminist couple: the intersection of therapy and politics. In: Rosen RC, Leiblum SR, editors. Case studies in sex therapy. New York: Guilford Press; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Couper J, Bloch S, Love A, Macvean M, Duchesne GM, Kisane D. Psychosocial adjustment of female partners of men with prostate cancer: a review of the literature. Pshycho-Oncology. 2006;15:937–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Shindel A, Quayle S, Yan Y, Husain A, Naughton C. Sexual dysfunction in female partners of men who have undergone radical prostatectomy correlates with sexual dysfunction of the male partner. J Sex Med. 2005;2:833–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ganz PA, Kwan L, Stanton AL, Krupick JL, Rowland JH, Meyerowitz BR, et al. Quality of life at the end of primary treatment of breast cancer: first results from the moving beyond cancer randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96(5):376–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Watson M, Haviland JS, Greer S, Davison J, Bliss JM. Influence of psychological response on survival in breast cáncer: a population-based cohort study. Lancet. 1999;354:1331–999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Pujols Y, Meston CM, Seal BN. The association between sexual satisfaction and body image in women. J Sex Med. 2010;7:905–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Rowland JH, Desmond KA, Meyerowitz BE, Belin TR, Wyatt GE, Ganz PA. Role of breast reconstructive surgery in physical and emotional outcomes among breast cancer survivors. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92(17):1422–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rubio-Aurioles, E. (2011). The Impact of Cancer on the Partner’s Sexuality. In: Mulhall, J., Incrocci, L., Goldstein, I., Rosen, R. (eds) Cancer and Sexual Health. Current Clinical Urology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-916-1_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-916-1_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-915-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-916-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics