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Plotogea M, Zgura A, Mehedințu C, Scurtu F, Petca A, Varlas VN, Bors RG, Edu A, Ionescu OM, Andreescu M, Mateescu RN, Isam AJ. Women's Sexual Dysfunctions Following Stem Cell Transplant and the Impact on Couple Relationship. Life (Basel) 2023; 14:35. [PMID: 38255651 PMCID: PMC10817538 DOI: 10.3390/life14010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplant proved its efficacy in increasing the survival rate among young patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies. A transplant conditioning regimen is particularly destructive on the genital system, often determining premature ovarian failure, accompanied by vulvovaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunctions. The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate sexual dysfunctions among transplanted women, using clinical examination and the female sexual function index (FSFI), and second, to determine their impact on a couple's relationship. A prospective observational comparative study was performed and included 38 patients who underwent allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT) procedures for different hematological malignancies and 38 healthy patients (control group). This study included baseline evaluation, one-year, and three-year follow-up visits. In addition to anamnesis and medically obtained information, FSFI was evaluated to determine the impact of gynecological damage in a subjective manner. In the study group, vulvovaginal atrophy was diagnosed in 76.32%, with subsequent sexual dysfunctions in 92.10% of patients, based on FSFI scoring. Even though the results improved throughout the study, at the last visit, mild vulvovaginal atrophy was diagnosed in 81.58% of patients, and the FSFI score was abnormal for 21.05%. When compared to the control group, both sexual dysfunctions and FSFI results were considerably impaired, with statistical significance. There is a confirmed negative impact of sexual dysfunctions and self-declared FSFI on couple/marital status and couple relationships, with statistical significance, at the last visit. In conclusion, anatomical, functional, and psychological difficulties are a reality of long-term survivors after a stem cell transplant. They should be addressed and assessed equally to other medical conditions, as they may determine serious consequences and impact the sexual quality of life and the couple's relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Plotogea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, 022441 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Zgura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudia Mehedințu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, 011179 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Francesca Scurtu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, 011179 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aida Petca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Valentin Nicolae Varlas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, 011179 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana Georgiana Bors
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, 011179 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antoine Edu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, 022441 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oana-Maria Ionescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Andreescu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Nicolae Mateescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, 022441 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Al Jashi Isam
- Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
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Wnuk K, Świtalski J, Miazga W, Tatara T, Religioni U, Olszewski P, Augustynowicz A. The Usage of Cryopreserved Reproductive Material in Cancer Patients Undergoing Fertility Preservation Procedures. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5348. [PMID: 38001608 PMCID: PMC10670543 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many cancer treatment methods can affect fertility by damaging the reproductive organs and glands that control fertility. Changes can be temporary or permanent. In order to preserve the fertility of cancer patients and protect the genital organs against gonadotoxicity, methods of fertility preservation are increasingly used. Considering that some patients ultimately decide not to use cryopreserved reproductive material, this review analysed the percentage of post-cancer patients using cryopreserved reproductive material, collected before treatment as part of fertility preservation. METHODS A systematic search of studies was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, based on a previously prepared research protocol. The search was conducted in Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via OVID), and the Cochrane Library. In addition, a manual search was performed for recommendations/clinical practice guidelines regarding fertility preservation in cancer patients. RESULTS Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies included in the review discussed the results of cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, and semen. In 10 studies, the usage rate of cryopreserved semen ranged from 2.6% to 21.5%. In the case of cryopreserved female reproductive material, the return/usage rate ranged from 3.1% to 8.7% for oocytes, approx. 9% to 22.4% for embryos, and 6.9% to 30.3% for ovarian tissue. In studies analysing patients' decisions about unused reproductive material, continuation of material storage was most often indicated. Recovering fertility or death of the patient were the main reasons for rejecting cryopreserved semen in the case of men. CONCLUSION Fertility preservation before gonadotoxic treatment is widely recommended and increasingly used in cancer patients. The usage rate is an important indicator for monitoring the efficacy of these methods. In all of the methods described in the literature, this indicator did not exceed 31%. It is necessary to create legal and organizational solutions regulating material collection and storage and to create clear paths for its usage in the future, including by other recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Wnuk
- Department of Health Policy Programs, Department of Health Technology Assessment, Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, 00032 Warsaw, Poland
- School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, Kleczewska 61/63, 01826 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Świtalski
- Department of Health Economics and Medical Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 01445 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Miazga
- Department of Health Policy Programs, Department of Health Technology Assessment, Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, 00032 Warsaw, Poland
- School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, Kleczewska 61/63, 01826 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Tatara
- Department of Health Policy Programs, Department of Health Technology Assessment, Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, 00032 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Religioni
- School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, Kleczewska 61/63, 01826 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Anna Augustynowicz
- Department of Health Economics and Medical Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 01445 Warsaw, Poland;
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