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Post-Transplant Events

Sexual functioning in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: a longitudinal study

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 39, pages 491–496 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) reported numerous sexual difficulties pretransplantation and at 1- and 3-years post transplantation. The most commonly reported problems pretransplant were a lack of sexual interest for men and self-perceived unattractiveness for women. At year 1, men reported more concern about physical attractiveness and increased problems with erection, ejaculation and orgasm. Women reported more sexual problems across all categories. At year 3, difficulties for men remained relatively consistent or decreased compared to year 1 with the exception of an increased concern about physical appearance. At year 3, women reported increased sexual interest; concerns about body appearance, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and orgasm remained higher than at baseline, although all had decreased from year 1. Half of patients at all time points reported no discussion of sexuality with their health care provider. Baseline level of depression was significantly and positively related to sexual functioning at year 3 post transplant. These results suggest that sexual problems are significant for BMT survivors and that treatment of depression and health-care-provider education are possible interventional targets for improving sexual function and quality of life following BMT.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a contract from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N01-HB-47097 [John Thompson], N01-HB-47094 [Shelly Carter], N01-HB-47098 [Nancy Kernan] and N01-HB-47095 [John Wagner]).

We acknowledge the gracious assistance of the transplantation centers and their staff: University of Minnesota, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Medical College of Virginia, Wake Forest University – Baptist Center, University of Nebraska, University of Utah, Stanford University, University of Iowa, University of South Carolina, Ohio State University, Duke University, University of Kentucky, Medical College of Wisconsin, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and University of Pittsburgh. We thank Joan Baenziger for her assistance in conducting interviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    C T Humphreys, B Tallman & E M Altmaier

  2. Counseling and Testing Center, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

    V Barnette

Authors
  1. C T Humphreys
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  2. B Tallman
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  3. E M Altmaier
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  4. V Barnette
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Correspondence to E M Altmaier.

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Humphreys, C., Tallman, B., Altmaier, E. et al. Sexual functioning in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: a longitudinal study. Bone Marrow Transplant 39, 491–496 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705613

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