Kristina H Nørskov1, Mette Schmidt2, Mary Jarden3. 1. Department of Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: Kristina.holmegaard.noerskov@regionh.dk. 2. Department of Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. University Hospitals Center for Health Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study explores how patients' experience of sexuality is influenced by physical, psychological and social changes one year after undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The respondents (n = 9) were recruited from the Department of Haematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, one year after HSCT. The interviews were analysed from a phenomenological-hermeneutic perspective. RESULTS: Bodily changes and symptoms related to chronic graft vs. host disease led to physical limitations or altered body image, which directly or indirectly resulted in sexual dysfunction or problems with intimacy. Symptoms related to chronic GVHD, could explain experiences of sexual dysfunction. Sexual needs were deprioritized as survival became paramount. The experience of changed social roles, both in family life and social network, affected self-image and identity. Finally, communication about sexuality and sexual needs was of significant importance to the current state of their relationship. CONCLUSION: Physical body alterations, challenges in mastering their new life situation and identity changes affected sexuality and sexual function one year after HSCT. As symptoms resided, sexuality and sex life became more and more prominent in their thoughts and lives. Increased focus is needed on sexuality and sexual dysfunction in the HSCT clinical setting.
PURPOSE: This study explores how patients' experience of sexuality is influenced by physical, psychological and social changes one year after undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The respondents (n = 9) were recruited from the Department of Haematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, one year after HSCT. The interviews were analysed from a phenomenological-hermeneutic perspective. RESULTS: Bodily changes and symptoms related to chronic graft vs. host disease led to physical limitations or altered body image, which directly or indirectly resulted in sexual dysfunction or problems with intimacy. Symptoms related to chronic GVHD, could explain experiences of sexual dysfunction. Sexual needs were deprioritized as survival became paramount. The experience of changed social roles, both in family life and social network, affected self-image and identity. Finally, communication about sexuality and sexual needs was of significant importance to the current state of their relationship. CONCLUSION: Physical body alterations, challenges in mastering their new life situation and identity changes affected sexuality and sexual function one year after HSCT. As symptoms resided, sexuality and sex life became more and more prominent in their thoughts and lives. Increased focus is needed on sexuality and sexual dysfunction in the HSCT clinical setting.
Authors: Rachel Phelan; Annie Im; Rebecca L Hunter; Yoshihiro Inamoto; Maria Teresa Lupo-Stanghellini; Alicia Rovo; Sherif M Badawy; Linda Burns; Hesham Eissa; Hemant S Murthy; Pinki Prasad; Akshay Sharma; Elizabeth Suelzer; Vaibhav Agrawal; Mahmoud Aljurf; Karen Baker; Grzegorz W Basak; David Buchbinder; Zachariah DeFilipp; Lana Desnica Grkovic; Ajoy Dias; Hermann Einsele; Michael L Eisenberg; Narendranath Epperla; Nosha Farhadfar; Arthur Flatau; Robert Peter Gale; Hildegard Greinix; Betty K Hamilton; Shahrukh Hashmi; Peiman Hematti; Kareem Jamani; Dipnarine Maharaj; John Murray; Seema Naik; Sunita Nathan; Steven Pavletic; Zinaida Peric; Drazen Pulanic; Richard Ross; Andrea Salonia; Isabel Sanchez-Ortega; Bipin N Savani; Tal Schechter; Ami J Shah; Stephanie M Smith; John A Snowden; Amir Steinberg; Douglas Tremblay; Sarah C Vij; Lauren Walker; Daniel Wolff; Jean A Yared; Hélène Schoemans; André Tichelli Journal: Transplant Cell Ther Date: 2021-10-29
Authors: Rachel Phelan; Annie Im; Hélène Schoemans; André Tichelli; Rebecca L Hunter; Yoshihiro Inamoto; Maria Teresa Lupo-Stanghellini; Alicia Rovo; Sherif M Badawy; Linda Burns; Hesham Eissa; Hemant S Murthy; Pinki Prasad; Akshay Sharma; Elizabeth Suelzer; Vaibhav Agrawal; Mahmoud Aljurf; Karen Baker; Grzegorz W Basak; David Buchbinder; Zachariah DeFilipp; Lana Desnica Grkovic; Ajoy Dias; Hermann Einsele; Michael L Eisenberg; Narendranath Epperla; Nosha Farhadfar; Arthur Flatau; Robert Peter Gale; Hildegard Greinix; Betty K Hamilton; Shahrukh Hashmi; Peiman Hematti; Kareem Jamani; Dipnarine Maharaj; John Murray; Seema Naik; Sunita Nathan; Steven Pavletic; Zinaida Peric; Drazen Pulanic; Richard Ross; Andrea Salonia; Isabel Sanchez-Ortega; Bipin N Savani; Tal Schechter; Ami J Shah; Stephanie M Smith; John A Snowden; Amir Steinberg; Douglas Tremblay; Sarah C Vij; Lauren Walker; Daniel Wolff; Jean A Yared Journal: Bone Marrow Transplant Date: 2022-05-06 Impact factor: 5.174
Authors: Karen L Syrjala; Hélène Schoemans; Jean C Yi; Shelby L Langer; Ahona Mukherjee; Lynn Onstad; Stephanie J Lee Journal: Transplant Cell Ther Date: 2020-09-29