Affiliate Professor Anita Paulsen. Credit score: UiA
Anita Paulsen is a nurse and sexologist. She just lately defended her doctoral thesis on sexual well being communication after gynecological most cancers. By means of her work and analysis, she has met many most cancers survivors who miss the intimacy of their lives.
“One couple I met made an impression. They had stopped being sexually active but had also stopped kissing and hugging. And she missed it very much. She longed for what had been. There was so much sorrow there,” says Paulsen.
The subject of sexual life after gynecological most cancers is usually not mentioned, neither by sufferers nor well being professionals. That is one thing Paulsen has researched.
Not talked about
“Many find it difficult to talk about this, even women who say they are in good relationships. Sex and finances, some relationship therapists say, can be difficult topics,” Paulsen says.
Sexuality is a subject that’s simple to miss. Most cancers sufferers obtain therapy for tumors—however they aren’t routinely requested how therapy impacts their need, intimacy or their sense of self as girls. Many ladies expertise that sexuality not solely disappears from life—but additionally from conversations.
Well being professionals typically draw back from the subject, not as a result of it’s unimportant, however as a result of it’s tough.
“Patients think that since the nurse doesn’t bring it up, it can’t possibly be important. And nurses think, “I ought to have requested, however I am so busy and I do not fairly know what to say.” So, no one says anything,” says Paulsen.
The result’s a double taboo. Each the affected person and the well being skilled look ahead to the opposite to open the door to dialog.
Easy phrases make a big effect
Paulsen interviewed 17 girls who survived gynecological most cancers and 10 nurses who labored with most cancers sufferers.
Her doctoral work is a part of the LETSGO examine, a multicenter intervention examine on follow-up after gynecologic most cancers involving 12 Norwegian hospitals.
In her doctoral thesis, Paulsen examined a brand new mannequin by which nurses routinely carry up sexuality in follow-up conversations with most cancers survivors. Most of the girls mentioned that simply being seen and heard made a giant distinction.
“It may be enough for someone to say, ‘You’re very tired now. It’s normal not to want sex, and that’s perfectly okay.’ This can have a big impact on many.”
The nurses within the examine didn’t have specialist training in sexology, however acquired coaching in how sexuality may be affected after therapy for gynecological most cancers and the best way to talk by asking open and respectful questions. They might additionally refer sufferers if mandatory.
Not like earlier than
A few of the girls mentioned that they had a brand new and higher intercourse life after most cancers therapy.
“They described finding greater peace in their sex lives and a more relaxed approach to it. They needed more time to get into position in the sexual situation, which their partners understood,” says Paulsen.
Others described disappointment about what had occurred to their our bodies and need, and about who they was once.
Paulsen believes sexuality have to be understood extra broadly than simply as a operate.
“It’s about identity, body, intimacy and joy in life, also after cancer,” says Paulsen.
Extra info:
Anita Paulsen, Sexual well being communication in gynecological most cancers follow-up care. Gynecological most cancers survivors’ and nurses’ experiences with sexual well being communication and its influence on sexual well being associated outcomes (2025)
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College of Agder
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Why discussing intercourse is essential for sufferers after therapy for gynecological most cancers (2025, September 5)
retrieved 6 September 2025
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